I walk because I know that with every step, I’m making a difference in someone’s life.
My brother Keith was born with Aortic Stenosis. He grew up playing football, skiing, and racing 4-wheelers. He works a heavy construction job. You would've thought he grew up totally healthy.
In December 2017, he called me and told me his heart was racing, and his chest hurt. I picked him up and took him to the ER at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. He was diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia. He was given amiodorone and admitted to the CICU. His heart did not slow down, and the doctors decided his heart would have to be shocked (cardioversion). The electrodes were placed, and he was given a sedative. When the doctors were getting ready to shock him, his heart rate returned to normal. He was hospitalized for a few days, (over Christmas), for additional testing. It was decided he would have to have open heart surgery. He was scheduled to have a "Ross Procedure" in May 2018. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Tweddell. In a Ross Procedure, the surgeon removes the abnormal aortic valve, then replaces it with the patient's own pulmonary valve. The surgeon then uses a valve from a cadaver donor to replace the pulmonary valve. The surgery was a success, and Keith is living his best life. He has an 8 year old daughter Madison, and a 7 month old son Archer. We will be celebrating Keith's 40th birthday in March 2023 skiing in Vail, Colorado.
Will you be a Heart Walk Hero with me? Join our team, "Beats for Keith", or donate to the AHA. The life you save, could be someone you love...
Have a heart and help me reach my goal today!