Bridgette Swaney is having open heart surgery in mid August and will receive a bovine tissue valve. Life expectancy for the valve is 15-20 years, so it will eventually need to be replaced.

Bridgette has a 6% chance of any type of complication occurring according to programs that calculate things like risk of stroke, dying, etc.

Bridgette's doctor is the best cardiac surgeon in Colorado and has never had an issue arise with any aortic valve replacements. She will be in the ICU on a ventilator for approximately 24 hours after surgery due to having to stop her lungs and heart to do the surgery and allow her body to then catch up. The hospital stay will be a minimum of 7-8 days, but due to living way too far from a capable cardiac hospital it will probably be more.

Due to living a few hours away from the hospital, Bridgette's family will need to stay in a hotel the first few days and will then be commuting between home and the hospital so the girls can start school and animals needs are met.

Bridgette is the caregiver for her family and open heart surgery in a not a quick recovery. They will be without Bridgette's income until doctors clear her to return to normal activities, which will be a few months.