So much has happened since my last blog that the days seem to blur together, but the most important, unforgettable, and literally heart-whenching thing to happen was my dad’s open heart surgery last Saturday. On Thursday an angiogram showed that his aortic valve needed to be replaced, immediately. On Friday night I flew into Chicago so that I would be with my dad and my family for the surgery on Saturday. Valve replacements are relatively common procedures that last about 3.5 hours, however, open heart surgery is still open heart surgery - plenty of risks are still involved. After a week sitting in the hospital my dad was relieved albeit stunned to finally know what was going to happen - no one can be completely prepared to have their chest pried open so the whole idea was still frightening to my dad and our family. Yet, as weak as my dad’s heart was he was so strong and brave he came out of the surgery with flying colors. The new aortic valve, which came from a pig heart, was immediately accepted by his heart and his “refurbished” heart has been beating happily ever since. I am incredibly proud of my dad for being so tenacious and unflinching through this whole ordeal, and proud of my family for taking this in stride and showing so much support and love as he takes each day one step at a time to a full recovery. My dad is going to feel like a new man as his heart continues to beat stronger each day…hmm, maybe he’ll ride a century with me one day. Ok, ok, one day at a time.

We are now in Canada biding our time until the Montreal World Cup on Saturday. Since we have to drive into a cafe for internet I’ll be writing a little bit day by day but now we are off to ride the trainers as the rain continues to pour down.

-Meredith