Keep Teacher Mike's Heart Ticking

Hello my name is Mike, I have a monumental health crisis going on and I need some help. I have recently been diagnosed with severe Aortic Stenosis and will have to get an aortic valve replacement. The procedure will be either open heart surgery (SAVR – Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement), or TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement). I am still undergoing tests to see which is most suitable for me.

How did this happen? I don’t know exactly (to this degree). My dad told me I had a “hole” in my heart when I was a young boy. I was scared for a while after that, I really didn’t know what to make of it and kept inspecting myself for signs of weakness or pain. But after some time, I just put it away, in the back of my mind. I did all the things everyone else did. I played sports and I was never overly tired (not noticeably more than the other kids). Never really had any pain. As I got older, it came on more and more and I would get very tired, especially going uphill – for example during a trek or hike, almost to the point of passing out. Sharp pains in the chest occasionally. It basically leveled up throughout my life but I had no idea it was to be, or was, as serious a condition as what it has become.



I never went to get it checked; I thought I could manage it. I tried herbs, exercise, yoga, meditation, prayer, diet. All was fairly manageable. I was tired at points and moments in my life (sometimes extremely) but it wasn’t impeding everyday functions and activities. Then, about a month after taking the second vaccine shot (Pfizer)-Boom! It went to a new level.

 



I have shortness of breath (even for everyday activities), lightheadedness, feel faint on occasion. Sleeping has become difficult at times. I wake up some nights with breathing problems from fluid in the lungs, and because of stress. I can barely walk up the street on flat ground without stopping every 50 feet. I’m just exhausted by everything. My legs and feet become swollen frequently. Chest pain is minimal (so far and thank God) and not so frequent. Doctors cannot tell me if the vaccine caused this exacerbation of my symptoms, but it seems like quite a coincidence.



Cardiologists tell me I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve (2 flaps instead of 3). This is probably the root cause. I now have stage 2 heart failure, mitral valve regurgitation (blood is backing up and not flowing correctly through that valve correctly either, it’s a one-way system) and cardiomyopathy (the lower chambers of my heart (ventricles) are not working like they should – not flexing and pushing blood out from the heart (this part is somewhat of a mystery but could be due to the lack of blood flow also). So there are now many conditions working together to impede the functioning of my heart. As a result of this, I also have severe pulmonary hypertension (a type of high blood pressure in the lungs that effects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart). Everything is connected, the one culprit is the aortic valve.

If I can get the blood to start flowing again, through a new aortic valve and through the aorta properly, doctors say my heart will get strong again. To what degree they cannot say, but I (and most of the doctors) are optimistic I can get back to a somewhat normal state.

Due to time constraints (there is a high and fast mortality rate for Aortic Stenosis) and uncertainties about getting coverage and treatment availabilities back home, I will most likely get the procedure(s) done here, in Thailand. There are some world class hospitals and surgeons here. I have met and consulted with numerous surgeons and interventional cardiologists and their opinions are all the same - I must get that aortic valve replaced by SAVR or TAVR. I have a laughable insurance policy, this will cover approximately 3,000 dollars of the consultations/ tests/ procedure(s). It’s better than nothing I guess (barely). The money donated to gofundme will go towards consultations, tests, procedures, aftercare, recovery, rehab and other expenses I have due to my medical condition.

I don’t feel like I’m ready to go, I’m a relatively young man. I have a lot more to do here. So many things I need to do, I love this world. If you can help, that would be great. Your gift could keep me alive. Any amount would be greatly appreciated, it all adds up. I don’t really have any alternatives other than to ask for help. If you can’t, that is totally understandable as well. Times are tough, I know. No one should feel obligated to do anything. To be honest, I never thought I would do something like gofundme. A friend actually suggested it and the more I thought about it, I said to myself “why not?”. I have to at least try. Best wishes to all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart (pun intended).