Help the Walz Family

When Brandon was a baby he was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve (one of the heart valves).  This is a common condition and the plan for him was to have it checked every 2 years and not play contact sports when he was younger.  As the years went by we were told that his ascending aorta (above the valve) was "a little enlarged" and that we would continue to watch it.  This year during his routine check for his aortic valve, we found out that the ascending aorta enlargement had gotten larger and is actually an ascending aortic aneursym with the risk that the aneursym could disect (rupture).  If the aneursym disects (ruptures), it can be fatal. After a lot of doctors and opinions and a few health scares, it has been decided that Brandon needs to have open heart surgery to fix the valve and aneursym.  The open heart surgery and recovery is major and involves heart/lung bypass and a stay in the ICU.  Brandon is a father of 2 little boys.  One of the little boys has had some medical issues in the past, so his mom stays home to care for him and his brother. Brandon is the sole financial supporter for his family of four and his recovery will be long.  Brandon is a really private person but did give me permission to set up this page for him.  Please consider supporting our family throught this process. Surgery is scheduled October 29th.