On the date of my first open heart surgery, I felt as though I lost a complete day as I was under anesthesia most all of the day. I went into surgery at 7am and did not wake until 9:50pm. I had

a mechanical aortic valve and root replacement due to an aneurysm (enlargement).

When I awoke, I felt like a new person. I was only awake for 10 minutes. However, in that ten minute time I could hear my new heart valve ticking and knew I had survived to live a longer life.

The following few days were a fog, as my brain was processing how my life was completely different than before the surgery. I went from a ticking time bomb, to literally ticking to stay alive. I thought the noise was quite loud in my head. Then I attributed the tick to the pain medication. Once weaned from the heavy duty pain meds, I began to realize the noise was neither in my head, nor from the medication. It was part of my new life. This was the first of many changes I would encounter in the days, months and now years to come. Welcome to the Zipper Club, which refers to those who have undergone open heart surgery. The zipper refers to the scar that travels down the sternum.

Unfortunately, the aneurysm continued to grow along my entire aorta. My second surgery addressed the emergency of a large blockage in my descending aorta preventing blood flow to my lower extremities. The root problem, the cause of the blockage was not only a result of my aorta being enlarged, but it also had a dissection (a rip) traveling the entire length. My zipper now traveled down my entire torso, past my belly button.

My third and most recent open heart surgery was more of an open torso surgery. I received what is called a thorocotomy where the zipper is now from the back along the rib cage to the chest. In addition, a rib is removed to gain access to the surgery site, which is the descending aorta, the main artery that supplies blood to the entire body. Mine was replaced. This was by far, the most challenging experience in recovery from a surgery I have had.

Throughout my experience, I have continued to ride my bike and have enjoyed every bit of it. Cycling has not only been a part of my rehabilitation, it has also been a mental release. I certainly would not have been able to recover as well or live as much of a relatively normal life as I have.

Eating healthy, exercising regularly and still experiencing heart and vascular disease really takes a toll on a person’s sense of mortality. No matter the preparation, a person’s genetic map will determine his/her course of being. From the outside, I am sure my appearance was that of a healthy, vibrant individual. That is how I have always tried to live my life.

As of January 27, 2021, It has been 10 years since my first of three open heart surgeries. As I reflect on the past 10 years, I have encountered many ups and downs. Each day, I face Goal 1, wake up and get out of bed. What comes next? The next Goal 1, of course!