Metropolitan Jewish Health System

How wonderful MJHS exists. This service is a blessing. On May 23, 2011, my 29 year old son underwent his 5th heart surgery. He was born with a bicuspid aortic valve which would require various surgeries theroughout his life in order to live. Each one more serious and complicated than the last. In 2000 when he was 18, he had an open heart surgery called The Ross Procedure. A very complicated 7 hour operation in his case that was technically more difficult than a full heart transplant requiring donor tissue and a total rebuild of the upper part of his heart, the great vein and ascending arorta. That fix lasted 11 years till last year. Then it was time again. He was in heart failure once more and he had developed an ascending aortic aneurysm above his heart. Heeeere had another 7 hours of surgery done by the surgical team of Dr Denton Cooley in Houston TX. There were many complications but after 2 months my son was finally healing. Complete healing will take more than 2 years. His surgeon said he will need another open heart operation in 5 to 7 years. And it will be more complicated and dangerous. He can not live without these surgeries and is faced with a higher chance of not surviving with each operation. Why am I telling of this? I really don't know. He is going to college, is married and is a new dad to a baby girl. Maybe you have some ideas on a way to pay for college. He needs to earn a living with his head, not his hands. He is very restricted in what kind of work he can do safely because of his heart. Any ideas are appreciated.