2 years ago today I was on an operating table with my chest cracked open & my heart stopped for several hours during an open heart surgery procedure as doctors at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem replaced my failing aortic heart valve caused by a birth defect. For a somewhat risky period of 10-15 minutes (I was told) my heart was covered in ice as the circulation to my system by the the heart/lung machine was completely stopped with nothing keeping me alive other than the good hand of God and my amazing medical staff while part of my ascending aorta was also replaced due to the damage my defective valve caused it over the years. Its amazing to me when I think about it and Im SO grateful that Im still able to do the things I love such as ride my bike and train for triathlons! I am so thankful to be alive and want to thank God, my family (John & Kathy Rowerdink, Hannah Rowerdink & Avril Schupp Rowerdink) for their support during that time and my incredible heart surgeon Dr. Neal Kon! And lastly, I want to thank that little pig who was so gracious to give me his heart valve so that I can continue to live!
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:37:19 +0000
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