Stephen's Journal

I am having a TAVR procedure to replace my diseased bicuspid aortic valve Jan. 15th. Unfortunately this is not the best option for replacing my valve but necessary. I’ve been diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer. It manifested itself in my right forearm as a soft tissue mass. One of the chemotherapy meds I will be getting is very hard on the heart. This cancer is very aggressive so my Oncologist wants to start chemo ASAP. If there are no complications from the TAVR procedure, my heart will be strong enough for chemo a week following the procedure. I was scheduled to have a Mini-Sternotomy on Jan. 10. My surgery team was aware of the possibility I might have cancer, but the diagnosis wasn’t confirmed until late December. My first visit with the Oncologist was Jan. 3. At that appointment it was determined I would need the valve replaced. From Jan. 3 to Jan. 10, I had five tests scheduled and completed to assess if I was a viable candidate for TAVR. My cardiac team at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado made this happen in just a week. Amazing!