Fourteen years ago, I received a diagnosis that changed my life forever. During a routine medical exam, my primary doctor heard a heart murmur for the first time. He quickly ordered a battery of tests and it was then that we discovered that I had been born with a congenital valve defect, or, bicuspid valve. This defect led to a condition known as aortic stenosis. I was STUNNED as I listened to my doctor explain that it was a progressive condition that could only be treated with major surgery. Two and a half years later, my cardiologist had determined that the valve was severely calcified and that surgery was imminent. On February 7th, 2012, I was admitted to The Heart Hospital at Baylor Plano for open heart surgery to replace the valve and repair an aneurysm that had also developed in my aorta. After a difficult recovery in the hospital and an arduous convalescence at home, I eventually made a full recovery but would require monitoring on an annual basis. Fast forward to last fall - I began having daily fevers north of 100F and a near-constant cough. It's worth mentioning that at the time I was managing the home stretch of a rigorous political campaign that was both costly and time-consuming. Needless to say, I had to dramatically alter my schedule to get more rest while I worked with my primary doctor to find out what was causing the illness. Finally, after a month and a half, we discovered an infection in my heart and I was hospitalized immediately. I was put on a strong course of IV antibiotics that continued after I was discharged. While the treatment was successful in dealing with the infection, a mass of scar tissue quietly began to develop above my pulmonary heart valve which has once again put my life and health at considerable risk. On August 8th I will undergo another open heart procedure to dispose of the infection and replace the now damaged valve. Unfortunately, despite having good insurance, the bills from the first surgery were ENORMOUS, forcing me to take this extraordinary step. For many, including myself, the reality is the financial effects of this procedure are crippling and could not have come at a worse time. The good news is I have the best team of doctors I can hope to find, and I will be treated at one of the best heart centers in the world. I humbly ask for your help so that my wife and I can weather the coming storm while she and my family give me the care I will critically need.
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