05/16/2026
Post open heart surgery update: I survived. I had the surgery on the 12th and it went very well. I had a previously unknown birth defect where I was born with a bicuspid valve on my aorta (2 flaps instead of 3). This led to an enlarged aorta, or artic aneurysm. They only found this because my stomach somehow navigated up through my diaphragm and got lodged upside down behind my heart. That put pressure on my heart when I ate and caused the docs to look at my heart & find the issues. I had the stomach surgery on April 17th & then open heart surgery on May 12th where they installed a mechanical valve and repaired the aneurysm. Both surgeries went very well. I should be going home within a day or two, but the pain from this is unlike anything I've ever experienced. 10 out of 10 do not recommend. LoL I have my chest tubes out & my chest wires out. Just waiting for certain blood markers before I can go home and begin a rough 6-8 week rehab program. Thanks for all of your thoughts; prayers, messages, meals on the meal train for my family (it's on my personal page), and for the donations on the meal train. My family has been overwhelmed by the support. Thank you again from Brittany, Reagan; Reese, and me.
And a special shout out to my crew who has kept things going at work while I have been down. I have been so impressed! Thanks guys! You rock!