The Open Heart Club

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My Story

My name is Ryan Carter. I was born with Aortic stenosis, which is a condition that involves the narrowing of the aortic valve in the large blood vessel branching off the heart. My parents were told I had a severely deformed valve that could possibly last ten years or so, which for all parents is a very scary thing to hear knowing your child will have to endure going through this. The next nine years were like most kids with no worry in the world. I was visiting the grandparents for two weeks at a time, going to and from the local high school for my recreational basketball games, and just being the normal pain in the butt kid. During those nine years I didn’t really think about my heart or what was to come. All I knew was that I was a nine year old kid, who loved the UNC tarheels, playing basketball, and drinking sweet tea.

On July 8, 1997 just two months shy of my tenth birthday as the doctors predicted I was rolled into the operating room to have my aortic valve repaired. The day and hours leading up to the surgery were nerve racking to say the least, probably more for my family because I was going to be asleep the whole time and not feeling a thing. Being only nine years old at the time I didn’t really understand the full scope of the situation. The night before I did feel a lot of anxiety and fear of what kind of pain I would endure, but at the same time I felt this sense of confidence and peace. When I came out of the operating room and into ICU the surgeon said that he has never seen anyone do so good and have the results that I had.

After my first surgery life returned to normal. I hung out with friends and continued to play recreational basketball and baseball. Was a quiet reserved kid so I didn’t really go out a lot or party. I had my couple good friends and that was all I needed. As high school went by my family relocated to a different state. They owned a small business and since I was part of the business I decided to take the trip. After graduating high school I continued working for the family business. Things were going well and I was just enjoying the lake life and cruising around in my super sport camaro. It was not until the summer of 2012 when things started to happen that were truly an eye opening experience. On a scorching hot august day I was swimming laps around the boat enjoying time with the family. After just the first lap I noticed I was already tired and extremely out of breathe along with slight to moderate chest pains. I climbed back in the boat to rest and catch my breathe all the while thinking and telling myself that it was time. That is was time for me to endure another 4-5 hour long heart surgery. On February 18, 2013 at the age of 25 I was rolled into the operating room due to a severely stenotic aortic valve. The doctors and surgeons were unable to repair my valve so they replaced it with a pig valve......which is why I have the urge to roll in mud. Haha lol jk. Since I’m writing this as you may know the surgery went well. Went in on Monday and got out on Friday. Couldn’t have asked for any better results. I would have to say that my second surgery was a more eye opening and fearful situation than the first. I was much older and my body handled it much differently. The anxiety and fear at times were nerve racking knowing that I might not make it through and that my 25 yr journey in this world could come to an end. Through all this, deep down I had this peace and confidence that could have only came from God above. I currently am doing great and go to yearly checkups to monitor progress of my valve. Pig valves only last 10-15 years so will need another surgery in the future.

This page is for encouragement for people to have hope and to be proud of there story represent there story through our upcoming apparel and accessories. Its not just a scar. Its a story that could change and impact somebodies life for the better