A "Heartfelt" Poem by Deb for Jon

Second Chances and Restarts

For Jon

by Deb Spence

Two years ago we were told, if not surgery, Jon wouldn't have the chance to grow old.

So we headed to California to give Stanford a try.

We were scared shitless, Dad, Mom, and I.

Dr. Miller was our angel in white; it was comforting talking to him that last night.

Nothing from Guidant per Jon's request. Doc put in a Carbomedics Sorin, For Jon it was the best.

Huddled together just us three, we hung out in the waiting room, Dad, Mom, and me.

Waiting for the nurse to come and give us news, we hung on every word, sometimes worried and sometimes confused.

When Jon went off the heart lung machine, Dad knew that Jon had been through the toughest thing.

His chest was open and he needed a shock or two, but he came through as always like good Jon's do.

It's been two years since this fateful day, Jon is home and healthy, eating whatever he wants, come what may!

Jon, my love I cherish you, for you are my heart and that is for true. Please love and care for that heart, cuz going forward we don't want another restart!

Two year "anniversary"

Two years ago today, at just about this time of the day, I was on my way to surgery to have my heart's aortic valve and a good piece of my aorta replaced and repaired. I'm doing very well physically and mentally (some might argue that point :-) today due in no small part to the efforts of a very dedicated and skilled surgical team under the direction of Dr. D. Craig Miller from the Stanford School of Medicine at Stanford University Hospital in Palo Alto, California. I spent 10 hours that day in surgery. During about 4 of those hours Medtronic equipment and tubing circulated and oxygenated my blood while my heart was stopped for the repair procedure. I have a nice zipper scar down the center of my chest. Surgery, recovery, and recuperation were all routine and without complication. This year my cardiologist said he doesn't need to see me for two years! I take the anti-coagulant coumadin every day (for life) to reduce the chance of blood clots forming on the valve. My coumadin dose has been stable since shortly after surgery with no complications or side-effects to date.

You can read all about what happened two years ago in this blog if you care to. I refreshed my memory of the events as Deb so carefully recorded them and I am very happy to be here looking back instead of where I was two years ago! This is one memory I don't ever want to repeat!

I have been extremely thankful throughout this entire chapter of my life. I am thankful this congenital problem was found before it made my heart very sick. Dr. Miller told my family when we met with him before surgery that, without correction, the chances were not good that I could have survived more than two years. I'm beyond that point now, so I've got a new lease on life today! I am thankful to have a connection with Dr. Stephen Oesterle, Medtronic's Senior VP of Medicine and Technology, who connected me with Dr. Miller. I am thankful to have the support of my wonderful family, friends, and colleagues. Most of all, I am very thankful to have my wonderful partner and wife, Deb, watching my back all the way. All in all, I'm a very thankful (and lucky) guy -- no doubt about it!

Dad, mom, Deb, and I spent Friday night celebrating. We started this journey together two years ago and it was fitting that we celebrate together all we've been through then and since. I thank all three of them for the support, care, and love they have shown me during this side-trip. Deb even wrote me a poem to mark the occasion. I have posted it separately here - it choked me up Friday night at dinner when she read it to us. She continues to amaze me every day!

Thanks to everyone who supported mom, dad, Deb, and I during this roller coaster detour through our lives. We felt your presence in so many ways and it truly helped us all get through it with smiles, laughs, and comfort!

Jon