Alrighty my tribe... if you're a prayer warrior or simply prefer to send good intentions/positive vibes out to the universe, I could use your support...

Only 3 more days left... I will be at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Lots of tests planned for Wednesday and Thursday is reserved for meeting with a cardiologist and a cardio-thoracic surgeon.

I sincerely hope that they will be able to schedule my heart valve replacement surgery quickly. I want some semblance of my life back.

Since Monday, April 29th, I have been living with constant chest pain. It is incredibly discombobulating! This is in addition to shortness of breath, dizziness 24/7, overwhelming fatigue, and a heaviness upon my chest (not to mention chronic pain joint/muscle pain from all of my other issues). My world seems to continue to grow smaller as my health deteriorates.

Thank you all for your continued support. I am especially grateful for my wife, Maru.

Hugs & love! <3

Hellllllllo my tribe!

On Monday, I went to the ER with chest pains. It was radiating up through my left shoulder, up into my neck. The heaviness that I've felt on my chest lately was worse and I found myself coughing more often (a bit of fluid in the lungs). They ran an EKG, took a chest x-ray, and did lots of labs.


The good news is that nothing "new" is wrong and I did not have a heart attack. The bad news is that this may be my new "normal" until after surgery.

Yes, I still am having chest pains, increased heaviness across my chest, and am continuing to cough more.

I saw my primary physician this morning. She agreed. These new symptoms all stem from my prolapsed mitral valve. Fortunately, I head to Mayo Clinic on the 15th & 16th. Just about 2 weeks away.

​Special thank you to Courtney, Jodie, & Carl for helping out on Monday.