Support Tom's Open Heart Surgery

Dear friends, colleagues and students,

I am reaching out to the community for financial support with medical expenses. I would not ask unless it was absolutely necessary. I am having open heart surgery to repair 3 valves and undergo multiple dental surgeries. My health is generally excellent which I attribute to being a life long yoga and breath teacher. Unfortunately, my financial health is on life support. Anyway you can help with these medical expenses would be greatly appreciated.

Dental surgeries: In order to have heart surgery, an oral surgeon extracted a past root canal and the packed the jaw with bone for a tooth replacement. My dentist removed two old crowns and replaced with two new crowns. It has been an ordeal. What is not covered by insurance? $9,000.

Open Heart Surgery: I am going to have open heart surgery in Boston to replace or repair the mitral valve, the tricuspid valve, the aortic valve, an aortic aneurysm and 2 other minor heart operations. It is a long, involved operation at Brigham and Womens Hospital. There is a one week hospital stay, and rehabbing for 6 weeks. There will be many associated costs for tests, physical therapy and doctor visits coming before and after. This is very expensive surgery and fortunately insurance covers most. What is not covered by insurance? $8,000

Total $17,000

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Some unusual things have emerged from all the testing I have undergone.

I have no plaque in my arteries! Everyone has plaque these days. Interesting. What does it mean to not have plaque in your blood vessels and capillaries?

My resting heart rate is 48, blood pressure 104/54, which is remarkable in many ways. Three heart valves have severe leakage with 60% regurgitation. When heart valves leak, pulse rate usually soars. What is going on here? A resting pulse of 48 is more typical for athletes, which is strange because I don’t do vinyasa or vigorous “cardio” exercise anymore. These remarkable bodily changes happened over the last few years when I devoted myself to a particular breathing practice for an hour a day, everyday.

From birth, I have had a congenital heart defect, a heart murmur and floppy mitral valve like my mother. She also had open heart surgery. My old cardiologist, who passed away, wanted me to have mitral valve surgery 15 years ago. I held off for 15 years but now the surgery can’t wait any longer. It is time.

My blood chemistry is completely balanced, in the green zone of every marker. I take no pharmaceuticals.

I am expecting an excellent result. I am feeling strong and ready. Can you help with the financial part?

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