Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.
Most of you know that in June Thomas was diagnosed with HOCM (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy). This is a hereditary heart condition that's not uncommon. Of course in our family we strive to be uncommon. We were, however, shocked to hear that the degree of his condition is actually severe and that the only doctors who treat at that level are at Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic. Thomas is a special case. August and November had us visiting Cleveland and developing a relationship with Dr. Zoran Popovick (as well as a love for Trattoria on the Hill in Little Italy). Dr. Popo would like Thomas to live and have a long relationship with him so he has recommended surgery. The surgery is called septal myectomy. They will open his chest, go into the heart through the aortic valve and shave some of the thickened tissue from the inside of his left ventricle.
Christmas Day we will travel to Cleveland. Dec 26 will be a full day of testing. Dec 27 pre-op meetings, education and evaluation with surgical team. Dec 28 is surgery (time TBD). If all progresses as planned, Dec 29 and 30 in ICU, Dec 31 and Jan 1 in cardiac unit, Jan 2 and 3 at the Holiday Inn on CC campus, Jan 4 travel home.
We are sharing this information with you because we know how much you care. Please know how much we love and appreciate you. We have both been overwhelmed by your expressions of love and support. The men.....I have seen so many real man hugs in the past few weeks (women, too, but we hug regularly) that I am moved with every single hug as I know Thomas is. We will try to keep everyone updated as we progress.
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