T.c.'s Profile

I was actually born with a heart defect, Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis in 1973. I had my first open heart surgery at the age of 5 at Stanford Medical by Dr. Norman Shumway. And my 2nd open heart surgery on Feb 12, 2019 by Dr. Vaughn Starnes at USC Keck Medicine. This was to do a full aortic root replacement (had stenosis back from original surgery, plus I had an anuerism or "outpouch" as one doctor called it, and I also needed a new aortic valve. Original thought was to do a Ross Procedure, but the walls of my aorta were too thick, so he gave me a new cow valve. I am back home in Florida recovering, few set backs, but trying to get back to normal life. I am so grateful for medicine and its advances. I went 40 years until my 2nd surgery when my parents were told I would have another one 16 years later (age 21) and who knows after that. So yes, I am thankful and grateful!