Johnny

Johhny

It has been a few years since I have been a member of the TCHIN family. Since working with the Congenital Heart Information Network as a senior in high school in 2000-2001 things have changed quite a bit for me.

With my graduation from HS in 2001 came the start of a new period in my life, College. I spent the summer before my freshman year working as a lifeguard with one of my older sisters and am pleased to say that it was fulfilling as I could have ever imagined being there to help others in times of struggle. Health-wise the summer was great and I was looking forward to my first year away from home.

I began my college career at Franklin and Marshall College, and had an amazing freshman year. The experience that everyone expects college to be is absolutely true. It is mentally stimulating and an all around excellent experience. The summer after my freshman year saw me earn a promotion to pool manager along with being a lifeguard. I worked extremely hard all summer and was definitely ready to return to college in the fall. August, however, brought news that every ACHD patient fears, there was something about my echo and other annual tests that the cardiologist at John’s Hopkins University weren’t too pleased with. So I was to return for more tests.

After more testing and a return trip to JHU after the start of my sophomore year at F&M, it was decided that a fifth surgery would be suggested in order to clear up an issue resulting from a dilated aortic root at the site where my aortic valve had been replaced. The dilated aorta was pulling on my aortic valve and increasing regurgitation, causing more blood to leak back into my heart after it was pumped. My parents and I jointly decided after talking to my cardiologists and surgeons at both JHU and the University of Michigan, to have the surgery to replace the aortic root in Michigan, where I had my last surgery (Ross procedure), with Dr. Bove.

I underwent this last surgery in December of 2002 and have been recovering nicely, I have an appointment in Ann Arbor at the end of May to find out how I am doing and look forward to a great summer 2003. Even with the surgery during college I have continued to attend and work hard towards graduation and look forward to attending med school thereafter.

My life would not be as positive as it has been without the love and support of my family. My parents and two sisters, Annie (23) and Laura (25) have been there to help me through every bump in the road I call my life and I love them more than anything else in the world.

April 2007 Update

His pc appointment in summer, 2003, didn't go well. His aortic root surgery was unsuccessful and he had to undergo his another surgery in July. This time he received a mechanical aortic valve. He spent a few days at the University of Michigan, and a few recovering at his aunt and uncle's house in Northville, MI. It so happened that his uncle is with the Detroit Tigers, so a few days after his open heart surgery, Johnny attended a Tigers game. It was exhausting, but wonderful.

Johnny's recovery was a little slower, having not fully recovered from the previous surgery. He took a semester's leave of absence from F&M but didn't sit still for long. By late August he was enrolled in classes at UMBC, and attending cardiac rehab classes at the local hospital. Within another month or so he was back to bowling and having fun.

With all this, Johnny was able to graduate from F&M in four years. He's now a graduate student in the Basic Medical Sciences department at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. The last couple of years have been filled with carefully watching his coumadin levels while bowling, playing darts, playing softball on a college team, and studying hard.

The last bout of bad luck occurred in January of 2006 after a visit to the dentist. Johnny has always pre-medicated, but he's allergic to penicillin. Johnny contracted a form of bacterial endocarditis not covered by the prescribed antibiotic. Within days Johnny was seriously ill and ended up spending a week in the hospital. He was released on IV meds for 6 weeks but was able to return to school with his PICC line in place.

Johnny has absolutely no residual effects from the BE! He's happy, healthy, and studying hard. He's working in a cardiac research lab at NYMC and enjoying it tremendously. The doctors he works with respect his opinion and ask for him to assist in surgeries and testing. He's living life to the fullest and pursuing his goals.

Johnny

Aortic Stenosis, Ross Procedure

April 2007 Update