A Story of Strength: My Dad, Alan Chandler

My dad, Alan Chandler—my role model—was born with a bicuspid valve. While not immediately life-threatening, this condition causes the heart to work harder over time due to inefficiency. As the years passed, the strain led to additional complications, including mitral valve prolapse and an aneurysm in the ascending aorta.

At first, the aneurysm was small, but it gradually grew. As it expanded, symptoms began to appear: lightheadedness, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, and weakness. Once the aneurysm reached a critical size, surgery was no longer optional—it became essential.

On October 29, 2018, my dad underwent extensive heart surgery. The procedure involved repairing both the bicuspid and mitral valves, removing the ascending aortic aneurysm, and replacing it with a pig valve. During the operation, the surgeons also discovered that two of his main arteries were nearly blocked. To complete all of this, his heart had to be supported by a heart-lung machine for nearly eight hours—a machine that, quite literally, kept him alive.

I’m incredibly grateful to say that the surgery was a success. Today, my dad is back to doing the things he loves—hiking, working in the yard, and spending time with his family.