On June 3rd, 2019, I found myself in the ER with Biventricular Heart Failure. I was in Cardiogenic Shock with a heart rate of 256, an Ejection Fraction less than 10%, and Left Ventricular Obliteration. As I fought for each breath, my liver, kidneys, and bladder were all failing due to a lack of blood flow.

The surgeon implanted a Balloon Pump in my femoral artery to restore my blood flow. I could not walk, sit-up, or bend my leg. With my blood flow restored, I spent the next 16 days in the Cardiac-ICU, building my strength to survive the implantation of my LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device.)

On June 19, 2019, I received my LVAD. Four days later, my aorta was leaking and I underwent a second open heart surgery. Eight pints of generously donated blood later, I began my road to recovery. Finally, on July 10th, 2019, I returned home to start my second lease on life. Over the previous 46 days, I had lost 30% of my body weight, mostly muscle. VAD technology is so amazing, that I recovered enough to hike for 6 miles within five months of my LVAD implant.

In August, 2020, I started to experience incidents of Transient Vision Loss while hiking. Then, suddenly, I passed-out in the middle of my next step. Ventricular Tachycardia "collided" with Atrial Fibrillation, resulting in an episode of Cardiac Syncope. Back in the hospital, the surgeons implanted an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) to pace my way out of future episodes, or cardiovert me if necessary.

Since then, I have been blessed to live an active lifestyle with seemingly limitless physical activities, including 13-mile hikes, 5K races, tent camping, and gardening. I am so very thankful for the supportive efforts of my nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and many technicians. I am also grateful for the gift of enjoying more than 7 years of additional sunrises.

I walk in the hope that future patients will be as fortunate as I. Together with your donations, maybe we can help many more patients enjoy years of additional sunrises like I have.