It is 4:35 AM CT, Friday April 26th (2019).   I am moments away from heading out the door for Missouri Baptist Hospital (St. Louis).    I have been waiting about 7-8 years for the cardiac surgeon to advise for an Aortic Valve replacement and replacement of Ascending Aortic tissue (tube) to replace the Aortic root anueryism.  All this due to my genetic Bicuspid Aortic Valve (which started leaking several years ago), which we discovered about 8 years ago.  The Aortic Valve in 98-99% of the population is Tricuspid (3 leaflets).  My Aortic Valve has 2 leaflets (Bicuspid).  Replacement of both these conditions are being done together (makes sense, they related).

I’ll be in ICU a couple of days, with a 4-5 day hospital stay if all goes well.   I understand I have a very good surgeon.   Will take 9-12 weeks for a full recovery, or one that will get me…