About Me (In My Own Words)
I want this story to be used for Christ’s glory. Although I was born with a condition that I didn’t choose, I know wholeheartedly that He has been taking care of me since day one. The only way I can explain the peace I feel about the upcoming surgery or the answered prayers that have happened are through Christ alone.
I was born with a condition called Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV). This is one of the most common heart defects and is normally monitored yearly until surgery is needed to repair the valve later in life. I didn’t know I was born with this until 2010 when I was 21 years old and ended up in the ER for passing out at work. The pass out wasn’t related to my heart but rather being dehydrated however in running an EKG, the doctor saw something odd on the test which required follow up testing. Since then, I had been seeing a heart doctor in Chicago on a yearly basis for an echo-caridiogram of my heart.
Fast forward to 2018. I was offered a job at The Martin Agency in Richmond, Virginia and I accepted the position. As Emily and I started to pack, I felt prompted to get a second opinion from Northwestern University downtown Chicago for my condition. They specialized in BAV and I had been feeling that the cardiologist I had been seeing, wasn’t giving me the care I needed. I know now that feeling was the Lord.
Upon going to Northwestern, the doctor thought everything looked really great but he mentioned that there is sometimes a chance that BAV can cause an aortic aneurysm based on the way the valve pushes blood through the aorta. He said it’s an extremely low chance but since I had never had an MRI done on my heart, they had no way of knowing. Emiy and I talked and decided that the peace of mind was worth the cost. I decided to have the MRI.
Later that week, I was riding home from work on the train and received a personal call from the doctor, which has never happened to me. He explained that my MRI results are in and have been reviewed multiple times by two doctors for confirmation. The part of my aorta just above my BAV has ballooned into an aortic aneurysm. Immediately I needed to stop weight lifting, or lifting anything over 40lbs. Additionally, I needed to prepare for tests every six months to closely monitor the aneurysm. While Northwestern couldn’t advise surgery based on their surgical outcomes, they did advise strict life changes.
After learning this news, Emily and I began to heavily pray. I began to research this newfound condition and learned that the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio was the #1 hospital for the condition. I decided I wanted to make an appointment with them to discuss my future and ask for medical advice. I knew that when it was time for surgery, I would want it to be with them. Upon meeting with the Cleveland Clinic, we were instructed that the surgery should happen within 2019, the sooner the better.
We left the Cleveland Clinic that day and were unsure of what this meant for my new job and for us as a family but we knew surgery was going to happen. The clinic called a few weeks later to schedule the surgery for June 25, 2019.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
My surgery date is: June 25, 2019
