Don Husi

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place as Don undergoes surgery to repair and/or replace his Mitral Valve and control Atrial Fibrillation.  

As many of you know,  about 10 years ago I suffered a heart attack.   I presented with Atrial Fibrillation, (fast, erratic heart beat),  After a number of tests it was determined that my right coronary artery was 100% blocked.  Attempts to insert a stent, were unsuccessful.  The good news was that my heart had grown two collateral arteries (new arteries bringing blood and oxygen to the heart).   At that time, it was indicated that at some point , the other arteries  might clog up and bypass surgery would be necessary.  So far that has not occurred, Praise God!  However,  during my annual cardiology appointment, Dr. Maloof  heard something he didn't like.  He did an echo-cardiogram on the spot and preliminary information indicated that Mitral Valve Prolapse, which had been mild,  now appeared to be moderate to severe. 

I had been training for a long bike ride, the MS 150 Jack and Back from Nashville to the Jack Daniels distillery and back with our team, "The Cyclopaths."  I asked Dr. Maloof if I could still do the ride and he indicated that I could.  And I did.  It was certainly more tiring than other similar rides, but I kept up with most of the team.

After a test called a TEE, Trans-esophageal Echo-cardiogram, he determined that my mitral valve basically was not working at all.   The posterior leaflet (one of two leaflets that open and close between the left atrium and left ventricle) was flapping and it appeared that two of the tendanae chordae (collagen structures that work like rubber bands attached to the leaflet and to the papillary muscle in the left ventricle)  were flopping around as well.  Another catheterization followed, then off to the surgeon,  Dr. Petracek.  The surgeon confirmed the diagnosis about three weeks ago and surgery was scheduled for Nov. 15, 2016.

Dr. Petracek is one of the few surgeons in the country that do  more than 150 of these surgeries each year.  We are in good hands with Dr. Petracek and the team at Vanderbilt.   Please check back over the next several weeks as we try to keep folks posted on my progress and recovery.

The entire Husi crew is incredibly grateful for your support and words of hope and encouragement. We eagerly ask for your prayers, and thank you for visiting.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Proverbs 3:5-6