13 Days To Go

Friends,

For those of you that don't know three years ago I was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and a Bicuspid Aortic valve, both are congenital heart defects. We have tried various medications but they have not worked in preventing the symptoms that keep me from living a healthy, active lifestyle. In October Kellie and I visited the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and met with one of the world experts in HOCM where it was decided that I should undergo an operation to fix my condition called a Surgical Myectomy. The surgeon will cut through my sternum and then go into the aortic valve, from there he will thin out the left vetrical wall of my heart along the septum. This procedue will occur on November 14th at Mayo. I will then spend the next 5-7 days in the hospital. After that Kellie and I will fly home where I will continue my recovery.

Maybe I'm an idiot but I'm not feeling too anxious at the moment. I'm sure as the surgery nears I will start to feel a bit more edgy. Thank you all for the well wishes and thoughts. They mean the world to both Kellie and myself.

This blog will be posted to keep all my friends and family updated on the progress of the surgery as well as my recovery.

If you are interested in learning more about HCM I have copied a link below.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/DS00948

Steve