My Heart Surgery adventure

During an offshore fishing trip in 2001, the weather started getting rough the tiny ship was tossed. Sorry, good times.... Anyway we hit 7 foot seas coming back in and I got knocked off my seat and hit the captain's elbow into my chest over my aortic valve. The next day I had a baseball sized bruise and my heart was not beating right. After going to several doctors I was told I had 5 to 10 years and would need replacement of the Aortic valve. (The hit to the chest did not cause the problem, only made me aware of it.) December of 2001 I was told I had 3 months. In January of 2002 I found NASA engineer and M.D., Dr. David Abrams as my primary care Dr., he sent me to the famous  Cardiologist, Dr. Abdul Ali. He sent me to an incredible surgeon, Dr. Michael Sweeney, who did the surgery. On February the 14th of 2002 I went in to Herman Hospital to have open heart surgery. I had my aortic valve replaced and ABC wanted to tape it for a new show called Houston Medical to air June 18th . After I felt better (April 27th), we went fishing at a YMCA camp Pine Tree and ABC followed us and interviewed me for the end of the show. We also caught some nice Bream and Bass.
	ABC Cameraman/Director Joel Schwartzberg getting up close for filming. Joel could be my brother, we have the same ideas of what is funny. He made the surgery more fun and gave me other things to think about during the toughest part. Here I am releasing a fish for the show.
	Nicholas with first bluegill and on his fly rod, a great catch! What an incredible smile. I modified an automatic fly reel so he can reel in a fish with the push of a button. It works ok for small fish but needs some help on a bass.