johnnycake23
Two-time AVR Vet
It was on this date in 1993 that I had my bicuspid aortic valve repaired at the Cleveland Clinic. I remember being a scared twenty-something and, looking back, terribly naive -- my biggest concern was if there would be a noticeable scar! Ahh, to be that young and carefree again. (I would go on to have another surgery 14 years later, this time for a replacement.) I turn 54 in a couple of days, which means I have lived half my life with a surgically repaired or replaced valve; that's my life's dichotomy.
The cardiac world has come a long way since I was fresh meat. If I were born a generation, or even a decade, earlier, I would not be here to type these words.
When I reflect on Cleveland, I think "my god, was I ever that young"? But I also look back with fondness (because of my youth) and amazement (that I made it this far). Now, I give thanks every day --literally-- for the advances in medical science.
The cardiac world has come a long way since I was fresh meat. If I were born a generation, or even a decade, earlier, I would not be here to type these words.
When I reflect on Cleveland, I think "my god, was I ever that young"? But I also look back with fondness (because of my youth) and amazement (that I made it this far). Now, I give thanks every day --literally-- for the advances in medical science.
