Joseph’s Heart Surgery Adventure

My name is Justin Rauh, one of Joseph’s long time best friends. I know he’s to proud to start up a go fund me page but here it goes. He has a long lengthy recovery which will put him out of work for a while and I’m just wanting a way to make sure that they know they have a support system of people behind him to make his road to recovery much smoother and less stressful for him and his wife Kayla. Here is the run down from what we found out today... We got a lot of information in a very short amount of hours.. I will go in to detail, sorry if it takes a bit to go through .. Joseph Surgery is scheduled for Friday the 26th starting at 5 am for his pre-op.. They will have him in the operating room at 7am to start the surgery. ( Note: Anyone coming to see him before he goes in has to be there before 6am) . The Doctor is John Markley and will be at Columbia University Hospital. The surgery should take 6 -7 hrs. This is the time that they will go in and replace his Aortic value with a Mechanical value. (This does mean he will be on blood thinners for the rest of his life, but the other alternative was a biological value which he would most likely have to have replaced 5 to 7 times in his life.) We agreed this would be the better route. They will also be replacing the Aorta, and the base of the Aorta because of the enlargement of them. They have been enlarged because of the Aortic value not working properly. The Aorta does not HAVE to be replaced at this time, but his is at 5cm in diameter and the is the point when they start watching so it doesn't rupture; therefore, they will be replacing it now that way it does not have to be done in a few years. After he gets out of surgery he will be in-abated for minimum of 4 hours and a possible maximum of 6 hours, but all depends on how the surgery goes. He should be in the CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) for 2 to 3 days following. At this time only a few people would be allowed in the room at a time and for short intervals. Depend on recovery....(Therefore, if anyone is planning on coming just be aware of the situation.) The doctor does say best case he will get to come home on the 5th day but possible day 10-15 (worse case). Once he gets to go home, his mobility will be very limited for at least the first few weeks. Should begin a month rehab after about a month time has passed. He will be down for about a total of a three month time frame. (We Hope) :) I know this is a lot of information and most of you don't need it, but I feel at this time it is important for our well being to tell everyone the same thing all at once, for everyone to be completely informed! Thanks for all your Prayers, Thoughts and Comments! We were blessed with many great Friends and Family. Any questions feel free to ask!