Steven's Profile

My journey started back in December 2014, I was 63.I went in for an "Annual Checkup" and my regular doctor for many years asked has anyone ever said anything about a "heart Murmur". Of course not! I had played competitive elite Soccer and Racquetball, and also recreational Skiing, Water skiing for 30 years till I was in my 50's and even climbed Mt St Helen's when I was 20 before it blew. So I was very active into my 50's so it was a surprise when ask this question about a heart murmur. I never thought as a high level athlete that anything like could happen to me. Since 1980 I have had major surgeries on my left knee(1981), spiral fracture right leg(1983), Ruptured right Achilles Tendon(2010), all 5 lumbar surgery for Spinal Stenosis(2011), I would have thought that some of these heart symptoms or defect would have shown up earlier. It was determined that I had a Bicuspid Aorta Valve which I probably I had since birth but was unaware of it. Also they discovered that I also had an "Ascending Aorta Aneurysm" that was at 5.1 So I have been dealing with this issue for over 5 years. Luckily the 5.1 size of my aneurysm has not gotten worse over the last 5 year period of time. I have been very lucky and cautious. There were many personal issues that kept me from taking on this surgery earlier. They began the "Test's" MRI's, Ex-ray's, Echo Gram's in January 2015 and every 6 or so months after that. I finally had a Cardiac Catheter exam in mid July this year and decided that at age 68 We are going to do this and the date has been set for surgery on October 1, 2019. Ounce I bought Adam's book back in March 2019, I read it completely through and then browsed the website I became familiar with a lot of your stories. I also read the book completely a second time since then and it has been very helpful. I have been following alot of your stories, types of surgeries and outcomes, symptoms before and after surgery and additional tips on how to coup with everything involved throughout the whole experience. These have also been very educational and helpful. I want to thank "Adam Pick" for an exceptionally well written, ease to read and helpful reference "Book"!!!