Duane's Profile

I almost feel guilty as I write this, since I am currently asymptomatic and have not yet been scheduled for any surgery. I am currently in a "watch" mode, but I know this BAV will not improve. It's just a matter of time before it will have to be replaced. At 58 years old I feel lucky that this is the only medical issue of any real consequence that I have had to face in my life. I guess the fear arises from the fact that they are talking about my heart; not a hip, a knee, or some other convenient, but expendable appendage. And I have discovered through my research that if your heart stops working it's very difficult to enjoy the day. I lost my dad in 2010, two weeks after he had bypass surgery. He threw a clot and died instantly of a pulmonary embolism. That doesn't help my frame of mind any. But I'm glad he doesn't have to go through this with me because he'd be WAY too worried. I KNOW I'm going to be fine but it's still an unsettling proposition. I was a very successful amateur boxer as a young man. I used to have to overcome nerves before a fight. That is a learned process. Right now I'm reaching back looking for some of that. Got to prepare myself for the inevitable and do this thing when the time comes. If this is the worst life throws at me I'm good. Like punchers say in the ring, "I'll take two of yours to give you one of mine". Another thing they say is, "everybody has a fight plan until they get punched in the head". Can't duck this one. Oh well.