About Me (In My Own Words)
I was 33 years old, served in the United States Navy for 5 years got out as a petty officer second class, then joined the United States Army,served for 4+4 as a 11B and decided to retire my boots as a Sargent first Class. Married my best friend and wonderful life partner after dating 7 years and in 2013 we had our son. One year later after my sons first birthday I had some tightness in my chest. My wife said I needed to go to see a doctor or at least a physical exam. Mostly because it had been like 14 years since I had been except what little bit the military does or did. So once at doctors specialist walked in said what I was expecting was just stress, but when do you want to schedule your open heart surgery...our jaws dropped, Ive never been sick, besides common cold, never been hospitalized never been in a hospital really. So this took us back, way back. She then proceeded to get us scheduled for a month out, I asked can we do it after Memorial Day so I could take out my jet ski one last time that summer doc said sure but if you get thrown off and hit the water the wrong way you will die... wow ok, so how about wait till September so football season will be going on so if I have to be home I can watch that. He said sure we can wait till then but you heart is so enlarged due to valve and it leaking that if we put it off you could possibly die. So this is the seriousness of the situation. Got it. Not only did I not have nor never had any problems but have always been a hard working physical active never stop never quit guy. Fought in two war campaigns OEF and OIF. But now my surgery got pushed up by two weeks, and then day prior pushed up till earlier that morning. I had two weeks, to get work in order, a will in place, life in place, hold my one year old son as much as possible, stared at my wife, my best friend my world in her eyes and see the fear the confusion the worry from deep with in. Fast forward morning of surgery I shaved my own body, don’t let them do it cause they did it again post surgery. Also I went in to surgery feeling like 110% and great like I always did prior. To waking up and let me tell you honestly, like a train not only hit me but ran through me. I was woken up with breathing tube still in and on the lung machine because I had to be able to breath on my own. That sucked, but over all when doc asks what pain level is from 1-10 and 10 being worst, tell them 20. I wasn’t going to die and could tolerate it so said 5or6 well that night they got me up and on a thread mill it was bad, and the older gentlemen who where in there with me said they felt nothing, asked me what I was put on I said basic meds, both of them said they had the push button and all this other stuff. Moral to this part of my experience, when asked pain level go high don’t be a warrior... anyways so went with a st. Jude Trifecta tissue Valve. Yes I know the longevity of my choice is not good and I will need possibly 3-4 more surgeries in my expected life time. But I lived a active life and like to continue to do so. No blood thinner for me. I’m recovered and finished cardio rehabilitation and after 6 months best day ever, I get to pick up my son again.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
-
I am from:
Spring Hill , Tn
-
My surgery date is:
May 28, 2014
-
I was diagnosed with:
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
-
My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
-
-
My hospital is:
Vanderbilt University Hospital