karsten's Journal

Andrew Dial  So excited for you brother, on continuing your heart journey. We are here for you, for support and inspiration! It’s gonna be fun talking about where you are a year from now, and what adventures await 🤙👍🏼

David Seligman  Great attitude and perspective Karsten, and you’ll be inspiring others before you know it!  Amen to gratitude 🙏 

Barry Brasseaux  You got this Karsten.  Once you get the surgery behind you a new life begins with continued health and happiness.

Cathleen Weed  Hi! I had the Ross Procedure way back in 1994 in my 20's in Los Angeles. I saw on your story that you mentioned an aortic aneurysm as well. I'm assuming it's an ascending aortic aneurysm (just above the valve)? Will they be repairing that at the same time? I too was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and developed my 6cm aortic aneurysm at age 33 that needed repair with a Dacron tube ( from the valve all the way through the arch ) and a new bioprosthetic valve. The aneurysm is the only reason the Ross Procedure needed another surgery (because it stretched the valve) so it's good if you are getting the aneurysm fixed now at the same time. Be sure to ask about that! Good news is my Dacron tube is perfect still ( and likely always will be) and so is my donor pulmonary valve from the original Ross Procedure (almost 30 years later). So, in my opinion, if you address the aneurysm too then you shouldn't have any problem with the Ross Procedure lasting a very, very long time (maybe forever). 

Russ Fairchild  Thinking of you Karsten and best wishes for your surgery next Thursday.  One never knows what the universe will hand us.  But the fact that you have been extraordinarily active and in shape puts you in the best position to handle what you need to do. 

Allen Carkner  Great to hear you've advocated for yourself. I initially found the Ross procedure on my own through research articles and heart surgery guidelines, then happened by luck to get a consult with an excellent Ross surgeon in LA as the earliest appointment I could find. I'm just over three months post-op and in many ways I feel better than I did  before surgery. Good luck and look forward to following your story. There are a number of us on here that have had a Ross Procedure including Adam Pick the founder of this site.

Andrew Dial  Karsten, super stoked for you bro! Things are looking forward for you. I am excited to hear more as your heart journey progresses 🤘✊🏻❤️‍🩹

Deena Elani  WTG, Karsten. Given your young age and incredible fitness, you will heal much faster than most. Hang-on-to-that-thought.

Timothy Andre  That’s awesome news Karsten! I had my Ross procedure a year ago April 6th. I am very thankful for that procedure and my surgeon. Good luck with your heart journey. 🙏🏽

Robert Miller  For Ross see the following links in the learning center https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning/ross-procedure/ and https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/webinar-ross-procedure-video-playback.php

Andrew Dial  Cedars Sinai in New York does the most it seems like. I had mine at University of Washington in Seattle, at their growing Ross program! Absolutely amazing team, Dr Burke is a helluva surgeon.