Cory 's Journal

Sept 13th 2025, Get the immediate family up to speed and after a sleepless night I'm in for tests, have a date with the Cath lap and some scan tube thing. Cath lab keeps getting pushed due to emergencies coming in so I do the scan thing where they fill you up with liquid lava that make you feel like you peed yourself and all comes back good. 👍
Cath lab opens up,
Not a great place and didn't enjoy, 1 out 5 stars
I'm sure they are great but I'll ask for all the drugs next time, far in advance.

Fully cleared that I'm young and healthy and no surprises were found so plan is not to fully open my chest but complete a right anterior minithoracotom. Too many emergencies come in so scheduled for Monday afternoon

Sept 12th 2025 -12 pm - We arrive at the ER as instructed and, yes they are waiting for me, the whole er knows my problem and start the process for emergency surgery saying I'm not leaving till after recovery. We are panicking, little info and still not fully understanding what the problem even is, just that I'm having open heart surgery before the day ends.

Finally the cardio surgery team arrives and then we get more information then we can retain. We learn about and see the results of the echocardiogram, how my aortic valve was born bicuspid and it's only 5mm open and not doing its job anymore.


 Replacement and surgery is the only option


I was given the choice of flesh or mechanical valve but pushed heavily to mechanical due to my age 

I was admitted to the cardio wing of the hospital and told it would be soon

Sept 12th 2025 - 9am - I get a called from the cardiologist, it's kind of a blur this day so what I remember is - doc "we found something" me "ok" doc "I need you to get to Littleton hospital ASAP, my team is wait for you" me "what, no I'm fine" doc "nope, now"

As I call my wife in a bit of a panic, I'm googling "aortic valve replacement" and I'm now in full emotional breakdown in my workplace in front of co workers.

I get my brain back together with help from my wife and drive to pick her up and head to hospital.

Skipping over a few months and events - Sept 11th 2025 - finally directed to see a Cardiologist who said " you're young and healthy don't see any issues but let's get a echocardiogram to make sure" To avoid extra delays I called around and found a hospital that has openings that day so completed the echo by 4pm. Tech said I think you will feel better soon but wouldn't elaborate.

July 21st 2025. After a long weekend of camping with the wife with no problems but being a little tired we went to pick up a very large concrete fountain from marketplace. While attempting to move the largest layer with help from the seller I almost pass out again. I was able to catch it, get in the truck with AC and breath till it passed. This event made it clear to wife and I something was wrong.

My journey - July 8th 2025 - Age 44 I was playing kickball with friends on a particularly hot and dry afternoon and during a overly hard inning running around in the outfield chasing balls. I felt winded, and unable to catch my breath, it was abnormal but as I made my way off the field my vision started to blur and I distinctly remember telling my wife that I was going to pass out. I sat n a law chair and passed out, snoring and unresponsive. Team and wife called emergency services, got me on the ground and splashed ice water on my face bringing me back. EMTs ran all the test they could but nothing came back weird so I denied hospital visit and chocked it up to dehydration and over exertion.