David's Profile

Hi, I'm David. Age 54, married 31 years and Two kids in their 20's. Through a series of random 'luck', I was diagnosed with a bicuspid valve in 2017 after a stress test. I'm a former high school/college runner and exercise/fitness has always been a big part of my life. I experienced a rapid/racing heart rate that led to getting a stress test which in turn uncovered the bicuspid valve. At that time the physician advised me to keep an eye on it every 5 years but otherwise continue as normal. Fast forward to June of '22 and i had what I thought was a routine 5 year check up. The CT scan, however, showed an enlarged descending aortic root aneurysm measuring 53 mm. At that moment I would say my image and belief about 'who I am' took an immediate turn. Fast forward to Feb '23 and after several consults and test, I am a candidate for the 'David Procedure' and am currently scheduled for Valve sparing aortic root replacement on April 26, 2023 with Dr. Moraca at Virginia Mason in Seattle, WA. I am continuing to live my life as actively and fully until my surgery (primarily skiing, running & hiking) as well some travel but at a reduced effort. I'll fully admit though, this entire experience is and has been for me, complete cognitive dissonance. Besides this impending surgery I'm trying to live as normally as possible but it's getting mentally and emotionally difficult to maintain balance as reality sets in. To be honest, this experience has caused a complete re-evaluation of the image I've always had of myself - athlete, active and healthy! I just discovered this site recently and am incredibly relieved to be part of a peer community - to learn, share and commiserate along this journey.