Late December 2025 I wasn't feeling right. Exhausted. Leg swelling. Chest tightness. So much so I told Emily I wasn't right and felt I needed to go to the ER.
I left the hospital 4 days later and was diagnosed with heart failure. One heart chamber is running ~50% what it should be. Resulting in fluid building up in my legs.
Absolutely fucking terrifying. I first thought of Emily, Donnie, and Logan. How much longer do I have? How long will they have me in their lives? Will my boys remember me? They already have to miss out on a grandfather, but a father too?
The reality is I'm not out of the woods. I am doing absolutely everything I can to turn the ship around. With the drugs (and damn am I on a lot of them), diet, and other things...my heart can restore some of it's strength back. I've lost ~30 pounds since - with 1/2 of that being fluid in my body. On a lighter note, you haven't had a need to pee until you've taken IV Lasix. Oh my god the amount i peed was legendary.
Moral of the story is take care of yourself. Dont be a dirtbag. Also, this is more than a woe is me post but a kuddos post to my wife who really stepped up during and after all of this. I love you, Emily. Thank you for saving my life, again.