Hi! I’m Brad and I am facing a challenging upcoming heart surgery. I have had 3 open heart surgeries previously. I was born with a genetic connective tissue disease called Marfan Syndrome. I had an aortic valve replacement in 1999. They redid that surgery after the replacement valve wore out in 2008. Then in 2010, my aorta dissected. In 2012, I had major grafting/reconstruction surgery. I then needed a surgery in 2017 to reinforce a section of the aorta repaired during the 2012 procedure. Now, I am facing two aneurysms that need repair in my abdominal aortic region. At this point, a 4th open heart surgery would be very dangerous and so, a group of vascular surgeons from Penn Medicine have accepted my case. We are currently in the process of getting FDA approval as part of a clinical trial to install a series of experimental stents manufactured in Australia to create a fully reconstructed aorta. Once the paperwork goes through, I will undergo many pre-op procedures to get ready for the surgery. I have insurance through my wife’s employer, but due to the nature of this necessary experimental surgery and excess costs not covered, and of course the travel expenses with several trips back and forth to Penn in the near future, there will be a lot of costs that will be very challenging for us to meet. I am trying to plan ahead, so we are not ambushed all at once. We are expecting FDA approval within 45 days, and the procedure will be scheduled shortly after that. Of course I will update everyone through Facebook and such throughout this journey. My family and I appreciate your compassion and your prayers. Sincerely, Brad