I’ve started my medical week with a Covid booster and felt like I had a low-grade fever when I arrived at the hospital two days later for my TEE test. My temperature was normal, so my mind was obviously playing games, falsely concerned that they might make me reschedule. As for the results, the cardiologist described my heart valve as “rusty and leaky,” the same words that the mechanic used about our car. Both of us look good on the outside but are apparently in bad shape on the inside. 

The heart valve issue, in addition to the aortic aneurism repair, makes my surgery more complicated, while all of my advisors are suggesting that I don’t have it done at a Regional hospital like Sarasota Memorial. This procedure requires more expertise, the result of many hours of practice by a skilled surgeon. Today, I am resting after all this testing, but tomorrow I meet with the local heart group to determine my options. Most likely, I will opt to have this done in Tampa, although my stepdaughter wants me to come to Stanford. These are decisions that seem surreal, and I don’t really want to deal with them. 

The diagnosis helps explain why I’ve been so tired, and breathing has been difficult. I’ve probably adapted to these conditions during the course of my Run Streak. Perhaps running will be easier once I’ve had surgery, but the motivation of having to do it every day will likely be over.  It will take time to recover and I’m slowly coming to terms with this fact. The procedure itself can probably wait until the end of the year when I surpass 15-years and in the meantime, I will get my prostrate and eyes fixed. I’ll be a new man in 2024! No more resting after testing!