TAIHAO's Journal

Those who have the opportunity can benefit and make a choice, while those without the chance are left waiting helplessly. Medical advances like the Ross procedure have helped many people, but they also give those without options just a small glimmer of hope. Just a little hope.

Unfortunately, where I live, there is no access to a Ross Procedure center, and getting a referral is extremely difficult. This has been very discouraging for me — but I continue to pray for a miracle and hold onto hope.

I’m 33 years old and was recently diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve.I very much hope to avoid lifelong anticoagulation, because in my daily life I enjoy sports and sometimes I get small injuries. If I had to take anticoagulants forever, the danger of bleeding would always follow me. I also need to keep my ability to do physical work, because I have two daughters, andI want to be strong enough to lift both of them into my arms


A few months ago, my younger daughter asked me: “Daddy, why are the little leaflets in your heart gone? Did you lose them?” Recently she gave me a drawing of a heart with leaflets and said: “Daddy, I fixed the little leaflets for you. Now your heart is better.”


For me, the advantage of the Ross procedure is to protect our family’s quality of life, because with it I would be able to lift and carry things at home. Recently, the heavy lifting in our family has been done by my older daughter, who is still very young but is already trying to take on those responsibilities.


I have spent too many days and nights thinking, and many long hours searching for medical information about this surgery. I have even watched surgical videos. The Ross procedure is, for me, my only chance right now. I am very thankful that this option gives me hope, and brings hope to my whole family.