Introduction:

Hello, my name is Tyler Yoder, and on November 12th, 2024, I’ll undergo my third major heart surgery. This isn't just another procedure; it’s an essential open-heart surgery to fix a pseudoaneurysm on my ascending aorta and remove four problematic stents from my second surgery. The surgeons will also replace additional sections of my ascending aorta and aortic arch with graft material. I’m hopeful that this will be the last time I need to undergo such a serious procedure.

At 33, facing multiple major heart surgeries is not something I ever expected. It’s unusual for someone my age to deal with these kinds of health challenges, which has made this journey even more daunting. Despite these unexpected obstacles, I am determined to move forward with hope and resilience, drawing strength from the support of my loved ones and community.

Why I Need Your Help:

This surgery is critical to correcting ongoing complications and stabilizing blood flow, which is essential for my future health. Although I am fortunate to have state insurance covering most of my medical bills, past surgeries have shown that unforeseen complications can arise, making the support I receive even more crucial. Your contributions will help create a safety net for these potential complications and assist with living expenses during my recovery.

If you feel moved to support me financially, I deeply appreciate your generosity. For those who prefer, you can donate directly through Venmo at @thetyleryoder (use paying a friend option) to avoid platform fees.

Your support in any form is appreciated, whether it’s a kind word, a prepared meal, keeping me in your thoughts, or sharing my story with others who might be willing to lend a hand.

My Health Journey:

Since the fall of 2021, my life has been a series of medical appointments, tests, and treatments. This journey has included:

• Over 58 office visits to various specialists
• At least 9 emergency room visits
• More than 28 diagnostic tests to explore different issues
• Over 40 prescriptions at different times to manage symptoms
• At least 24 days in the hospital for surgeries and recovery
• Countless hours coordinating care, seeking second opinions, dealing with insurance, and keeping my family and care team informed

These numbers only hint at the depth of this experience, which has consumed my life with the effort of managing my health, balancing hope with reality, and navigating the daily challenges of chronic illness.

Who I Am Beyond the Surgeries:

I am still a musician in several projects, an empath, a goober, a sustainability enthusiast, an amateur mindfulness practitioner, a nurturer of community, a runner, and a seeker of spirituality. I am a listener and support system for anyone in my life who may be in need. I am a lover of music history, weirdos, artists who push boundaries, the misunderstood, laughter, gardening, comedy, thunderstorms, veggies, cooking, anything flavored with ginger, nature, deep conversations, and my cat Tahini. Most importantly, I have a deep love for my beautiful fiancé, Claire.

In addition to all of this, I am a heart surgery survivor. But I am more than a patient; I am a person who finds meaning in creativity, reflection, and the simple joys of life. My identity extends beyond the confines of my medical history. I am navigating this journey with a sense of purpose, embracing each day as it comes.

What Happened to My Heart?

I was born with a congenital heart defect. Initially, doctors thought I had a bicuspid aortic valve, a condition that affects about 2% of people. However, it turned out to be a unicuspid valve—a rare condition affecting only 0.02% of the population. I’ve known about this defect my entire life, monitoring it with regular check-ups and understanding that surgery might be necessary one day.

Understanding My Condition:

The aorta is the body’s main artery, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. My condition affects the ascending aorta, the section that exits the heart before branching out.

Normally, the aortic valve has three leaflets to ensure blood flows one way—from the heart into the aorta. My valve, with only one leaflet, caused blood to flow backward, putting additional strain on both the heart and the aorta. This strain led to three serious conditions:

1. Aortic Regurgitation: Blood flowing back into the heart, causing it to work harder.
2. Stenosis: Narrowing of the valve due to calcium buildup.
3. Aortic Aneurysm: Weakening of the aorta’s wall, causing it to bulge.

These conditions made surgery necessary to protect my health and prevent life-threatening complications.

Surgical Timeline and Complications:

• First Surgery (February 1, 2022): I underwent open-heart surgery to replace my aortic root and valve with a mechanical On-X valve, and to replace a portion of my ascending aorta with graft material. Despite the surgery's success, complications followed, including a sternal infection and partial diaphragm paralysis, which kept my left lung from fully expanding, making it more difficult to take a deep breath.
• Second Surgery (May 1, 2023): During my one-year follow-up, doctors discovered a pseudoaneurysm at the graft site, which led to a less invasive TEVAR procedure to place a stent and cover the weakened area. A pseudoaneurysm occurs when blood collects between the layers of a blood vessel wall due to a hole or tear, creating a bulge that can be extremely dangerous if left untreated. Unfortunately, the stent shifted mid-procedure, necessitating the placement of four stents to keep it in position while ensuring blood flow to vital arteries. This more complicated surgery resulted in a blood clot in my right arm, which required an additional procedure in my right bicep to prevent a stroke during the operation.
• Brachial Plexopathy and Neuropathy : Within the first week after being discharged, a second pseudoaneurysm developed in my left subclavian artery at one of the intravenous entry sites. This caused severe pain and limited use of my left arm due to nerve damage, which was later diagnosed as brachial plexopathy. My left arm muscles atrophied quickly, leaving my bicep unable to function for almost a year. I also experienced paresthesia—numbness/pins and needles sensations—through my left forearm and fingers. This condition significantly disrupted my quality of life. I couldn’t play music for a long time, and I still suffer from nerve damage in my left hand. It was at this point that I realized my life as I knew it wasn't going to ever be the same and I was never going to be able to perform the same physical work I did before.
• Subclavian Steal Syndrome (December 2023): Sometime in the six months following the TEVAR procedure, one of the stents kinked, blocking the brachiocephalic artery and forcing blood to flow backward in an attempt to maintain brain supply. This led to dizziness, balance issues, and an increased risk of stroke. My stented carotid artery is now the primary pathway supplying blood to my brain, making any blockage potentially catastrophic. I have lived with this for almost a year and have spent an incredible amount of time diligently seeking opinions nationally. This process has led me to decide to undergo an additional complex procedure on November 12th.

Why This Third Surgery is Necessary:

Given the complications from the kinked stent and ongoing health risks, a complete redo of my previous surgeries is essential. This third surgery will involve removing the stents and reconstructing my ascending aorta and aortic arch to ensure stable blood flow and prevent future complications.

1. Stent Removal: The four stents causing current issues will be carefully removed to reduce the risk of further blockages and kinking.
2. Reconstruction of the Aorta: Surgeons will replace damaged sections of the ascending aorta and aortic arch with synthetic grafts to stabilize blood flow and prevent aneurysms.
3. Open-Heart Surgery Details: This complex procedure will involve putting my heart on a bypass machine, temporarily stopping its function while the surgeons work. This allows the team to operate on a still heart, providing the precision needed for such intricate reconstruction. Although deep hypothermic circulatory arrest may be used to protect my organs during the procedure, the focus will be on precise surgical techniques to ensure my long-term health.

What to Expect During Recovery:

Recovery from major cardiothoracic surgery is a long and careful process. I will spend several days in the intensive care unit (ICU) under close monitoring, followed by a longer hospital stay to ensure my heart and body adjust properly to the changes.

1. Initial Recovery: The first few weeks will involve managing pain, preventing infections, and monitoring heart function. My physical activity will be extremely limited, focusing on small steps like sitting up, walking short distances, and performing breathing exercises to strengthen my lungs.
2. Physical Therapy: Gradual rehabilitation will include physical therapy to regain strength, mobility, and endurance. 
3. Emotional and Psychological Recovery: Healing isn’t just physical; there will be emotional and psychological challenges to face as I adjust to life post-surgery. Support from friends, family, and counseling will be crucial.

Full recovery may take several months, during which I will gradually be able to resume more normal activities, rebuild my strength, and return to the things I love.

How You Can Help:

• Financial Contributions: Your donations will help cover living expenses and provide a safety net for unforeseen complications during my recovery. Every bit helps and is deeply appreciated, though I understand that many people have helped during the previous surgeries, which has been incredibly moving and impactful. This page is meant to be a good source of information, not to pressure anyone into giving more. This is not an attempt to monetize my illness.
• Prepare a Meal: I mainly follow a vegetarian diet but am open to seafood. I love cuisines from around the world—Latin American, Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, etc. Anti-inflammatory or fermented ingredients are always appreciated, and I need to avoid large amounts of dark greens rich in vitamin K due to blood thinners. Gift cards to local grocery stores or restaurants, sugar-free healthy snacks, or home-cooked meals are wonderful ways to support my recovery.
• Offer Emotional Support and Company: After my first two procedures, I found myself closing off quite a bit, which I’d like to change this time around. Whether it’s watching movies, playing board games, or just spending time together, your company will help me stay positive and motivated during recovery. Community is everything. Your kind words, texts, and calls mean more than you know. I’ll do my best to respond when I can, but it's also important for me to take time to rest and set the phone aside, especially while healing.
• Share My Story: Sharing this page with your network can help reach more people who may be willing to help.

Looking Forward:

These last few years have felt like a kind of purgatory. I am eager to have this surgery behind me so I can focus on the future and explore new opportunities that align with my passions and goals. I look forward to feeling strong and secure in my own body, without the constant fear of health setbacks overshadowing my aspirations. I understand that I may always face some limitations, but I am determined to find a path that meets me where I am and allows me to grow in meaningful ways, whatever my new “normal” may be.

It's challenging not to compare myself to others who seem to move forward without the obstacles I've faced. These experiences have sometimes made it difficult to fully embrace the person I want to become. I feel like Claire and I have put so many bigger life decisions on hold while going through all this together. But after this surgery, I am committed to rebuilding my strength, reclaiming my independence, and discovering a renewed sense of purpose.

I am confident that I’ll make it through this surgery, but I also want to express how grateful I am for the life I’ve lived so far. I’ve spent a lot of time coming to terms with the fact that more complications or challenges could arise, but I put in daily work to accept the impermanence and change inherent in life. These experiences have taught me resilience and shown me that we can overcome so much. They have opened my eyes to new perspectives and added depth to my life that I didn’t have access to before. I now see challenges as opportunities to grow, and I cherish each moment. I am at peace with the past and hopeful for the future, embracing whatever it may hold.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your support, in any form, means more than words can express.

Below is a picture timeline with much more details on how I personally felt through each chapter. Enjoy <3

Moments throughout this timeline:

***PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE SOME GRAPHIC IMAGES, BUT MOST ARE JUST VERY VERY SWEET***

Ive been monitoring my heart my whole life!!

Normal me being a goon in the fall of 2021 leading up to the first procedure :) 

SO many hospital moments during appointments and tests before the first procedure, all mid pandemic...ugh.

The pic to the left is me posing in front of an image of my initial aortic aneurysm (artery that is white).

The last photo I took of myself, minutes before going under anesthesia on Feb 1st 2022

The first few days post op. The heart pillow is for me to hold when I sneeze so your sternum doesn't come apart. In the middle pic, you can also see the drainage tubes that they had going deep into my chest, which was quite uncomfortable. 3rd pic is me basking in all the glory that is hospital food. Hospitals can feel like such a strange timeless area. Patience, patience, patience.

My first few steps at day 4!!! (Im looking very drugged up lol). Middle pic is me trying to stay positive. Because of covid, I couldnt have guests stay over :( it was always a tough moment having to say goodbye for the day and I would walk Claire out to the elevator. Some lonely pandemic nights in the hospital and trying my best to advocate for my own needs with the night staff which wasn't always easy.

A moment of genius when you decide to use your bedside urinal as a flower vase. Middle pic was finally leaving the hospital after 7 days. I went down to Middletown, DE to heal at my parents, and immediately picked up my guitar that same night.

Sorry in advance for these particular images... but this was the progression of the infection. First pic is only a few days after the operation, the second pic is 10 days after when the infection started to get bad. I was running a fever, had Afib, and needed to go to the ER multiple times before I was readmitted. I was very scared. Last pic is a few weeks after having a wound vac covering the incision, hence the marks. The hole at the top is where the infection mainly was, which made my scar more prominent.

Since I have a mechanical valve, I have to regularly check my INR blood levels. These tests help to show how thin my blood is which is important because if it was at a normal thickness level, it would form blood clots on the valve, which will keep it from working, ie putting me at serious risk of a stroke or heart attack. Every single day for the rest of my life, I will have to take blood thinners. Of course its a small price to pay to still be alive, but this also means that I bleed much more easily, bruise quicker, and if I was to hit my head it could cause permanent damage from internal bleeding. Its not very fun to feel this fragile, but you get used to it and life goes on. At the point of writing this in late August 2024, i've been poked with HUNDREDS of needles, and I still havent gotten quite used to it. Its been amazing to have been approved with this at-home INR testing machine that i've used since March of 2022, all it takes is a little finger prick. Im a total weirdo that saved the majority of the testing strips for this exact picture eventually haha... thats 74 strips thus far.

A big part of this recovery has been trying accept this mechanical valve, as it causes a very audible "clicking" sound like an old timex watch. People can hear it around me if its quiet enough. My graft also intensified the blood flow in my aorta, which has made my heart beat feel very intense with every beat. If you were to go on a run or if you were scared, and it feels like your heart is beating out of your chest, this is what is like for me with every beat. I hear it and feel it all the time and its been very challenging to get used to. Some patients may not feel it all, but because I am skinnier, its just much more noticeable in my case. Its impacted my sleep quite a bit and I am still doing my best almost three years later to come to terms with losing silence as I knew it. 

Moments of relative normalcy... planting spring bulbs on our stoop in Philly in early March, a month after the procedure. I chopped off all my hair because i was afraid blood thinners was going to make it all fall out. Plot twist - i still have hair! We did our first beach trip to OC, MD mid March. It was around this time that I was also able to lay flat on a bed for my first time in weeks.

Getting home from my first run 5/27/22, almost 5 whole months after the operation. So much for being healed in 4-6 weeks as I was planning. It was a rainy day, I did like a quarter mile, sat in the park near our house, felt the rain, and cried some very happy tears. This is a very important outlet for me and i've ran almost every single day since. More than likely this helped to heal my paralyzed diaphragm. It was hard the first few weeks for sure. Though I may have weight restrictions in my current condition, I am very thankful cardio has never ever been an issue. I've run hundreds of miles since this pic and plan on running hundreds more after the 3rd surgery!

More moments of normalcy from summer 2022. I was so ready to put it all behind me and to forget about any of the suffering I had gone through, whether by going fishing, dressing up with my love, or cheesing hard playing tunes at the beach.

By July of 2022 I was able to start working again without any restrictions after waiting over 6 months. This is why those initial donations were extremely helpful. I anticipated being out of work for 1.5 months. At the time I was hauling compost by bike and vehicle, which I loved doing so so much. Claire and I would also volunteer at one of our partnering farms, thats me planting some garlic bulbs. Flash forward, this is not something I can physically do any longer after the second surgery. In the meantime, I'm very grateful to be working part time work in an admin remote capacity for the same company as I navigate all of this. Right now my health is my full time job, and this role has helped me make ends meet for the last year.

My first gigs back were about 3ish months after the first surgery. I was absolutely terrified. It was interesting how new social anxieties came to light that I was not expecting. Still learning to cope with them. First shot is me showing off the scar at Exponential Fest with Cosmic Guilt, middle pic is one of my proudest moments, playing my own songs as Milieu Lust in Arden, and the last one is recording bass for EXPO a few months later. I am so grateful to have this outlet and community to help process everything ive gone through.

By the fall of 2022 (9 months post op), I felt ready to try to travel. It takes a lot of time to feel comfortable leaving your house, let alone getting on a stage, or a plane. The pic to the left was my first time traveling to Puerto Rico with Claire, meeting much of her Moms side of the family. The pic to the right was our first time hosting Friendsgiving together at Sunset Lake, which was a special one considering all we had gone through.

I ran a half marathon on my one year surgery anniversary on Feb 1st 2023!! This is probably the best shape i've been in my whole life. I was told after my I got my initial cardiac situation fixed, that i'd be better than I was before, and I took this to heart. I was exercising a ton and I felt great both mentally and physically. Its important to note than NONE of my physical actions could have caused any further issues. After this run, I remember making grand statements on social media of all that I overcame... it would only be 2 weeks later that I found out about the pseudoanuerysm above my graft and the need for a second surgery. All my accomplished feelings crumbled very quickly and I spiraled back into dealing with my health every single day.

February 2023 up till my second procedure on May 1st 2023 was a tough time. I felt very defeated. I was embarrassed to share updates because it went back and forth so many times. I felt like I was only causing people concern. You really want to just hide and forget about the world. It was also such a frantic time thinking I needed to get this issue fixed quickly. For both surgeries, i've asked Claire to document where I was at, so those are where those 2 solo shots are from (so thankful for her amazing photography). The middle pic was camping in Shenandoah, days before the second surgery, trying to mentally prep. We ran up the side of steep hill and were feeling euphoric. Leaving the city and finding solace in nature has been such a beautiful escape these last few years.

The pic to the left is me being a total dork in the hospital bed a day or two before the 2nd surgery. They admitted me early as a precaution since the infection occurred the first time round. The middle is Mr. Wasabi the Avocado, and Reason the Mushroom, my guardian angels in this procedure. 3rd pic is necessary hospital mirror selfies. I can't quite articulate without getting emotional what its like to show strength to your loved ones before a major operation. I am very protective over their well being and want them to find some calm as well. I've had to say goodbye twice now, not knowing if I'd wake up from the operation and will have to do it a third time on Nov 12th. Its an impossible task trying to make those last few moments as precious as possible.

First week of May, days after being discharged from the second surgery. These are all related to the blood clot in my right arm in which they had to make an emergency incision to remove. The first pic is just below my right bicep. Middle pic gives a glimpse of just how huge my arm got (it was much bigger than even this). I couldnt bend it for a long time. Last pic is the bruising, which traveled all the way down my ribs and spread even larger for weeks. 

These pics are just trying to give the slightest bit of indication of the nerve damage I experienced in my left arm. This was absolutely the worst pain I have ever experienced in my entire life. The first pic is where they entered in my left subclavian artery in the 2nd surgery. This is where the second pseudoanuersym formed and damaged the nerves in my brachial plexus. This caused my the muscles in my left arm to diminish rapidly. My arm became very thin and lost a lot of muscle. I was pretty depressed around this time and that kept me from documenting much more than this. I had damage to both of my arms, I wasn't able to return to the job that I loved, couldn't exercise the way I wanted, lost so much autonomy and control over my body, and the surgery was unsuccessful. So to STILL push through and find joy in our little garden like I am in this pic, took quite a bit of perseverance. 

Going for my first walk around south philly, 2 weeks post op in mid May 2023. I was certainly making heads turn, because my right arm was noticeably busted up, and I kept my left arm in a swaddle. Keeping it from moving seemed to be the only way to get some relief, and I was experiencing some pretty extreme pain. The insomnia around that time was very challenging too. I was typically just curled up in a ball, moaning and having an almost psychedelic experience from the level of pain. The second pic was June 16th, playing with Expo at Shady Grove Music Fest. Why yes indeed, I was having a good hair day lol, but it also captures how my left bicep was completely unreactive. The nerve damage kept it from being able to contract, forcing my forearm to do all the work. These shows the first few months after the second surgery were very uncomfortable, and I had little coordination in my left hand. I thought I may have to give up playing at certain points, but I played every damn day to try to heal.

The pic to the left was another gig in the summer of 2023. I was really really down. It was hard to get on stage, and this day in particular I was feeling symptomatic. More than likely, this is around the time my stent kinked off in my brachiocephalic artery, because I was frequently feel dizzy and off balance. To feel this way on stage, in front of a huge crowd is incredibly uncomfortable. I wanted to run away from it all. Moments like the pic on the right, where I got to just go fishing and have some quiet time really helped to keep me centered. I was declining a lot of social hangs and keeping to myself more and more. Very appreciative to have had a tight knit circle of loved ones that kept me positive. 

WE GOT ENGAGED!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!

I proposed on August 13th 2023 while we were on vacation in California. I knew for quite some time that we were ready to make this step, and moments after I woke up from my 2nd surgery, I mumbled something on the lines of "im going to wrap my pebble in amber".. aka Claire, because she's my ROCK, and she already knew she wanted an amber ring. Since the 3rd surgery was looking inevitable, we wanted to make sure we lived the fullest to our ability in the mean time. Theres only so much time you can spend in fear of your health and the scary possibilities of what could happen in another surgery. I was really proud of myself for getting on a plane again and traveling. So many amazing memories from this trip.

Left pic was just a quick trip up to NYC in the fall of 2023 for a concert, but even leaving philly was tough. It made me feel sick to my stomach to be further away from the hospital in case anything happened. Right pic is just another lovely moment in Monterey, CA.

Left pic was 11/15/23, 7 months post op from the 2nd surgery. We got asked to model for one of Claire's friends, which ended up being an impromptu engagement photo shoot. Such a fun experience. Right pic was another friendsgiving, that we opted to make our engagement party. Yet again, just like with the first surgery, I made a grand speech (even if I was noticeably shaking), about all that I had overcome, that my situation was stable, and that I was ready to move forward. A few weeks later, I would find out that the stent in my brachiocephalic artery had kinked, and that they were then urging a 3rd surgery once more. So many ups and downs of feeling hopeful and safe, then to get the rug ripped from under you. To just wish that you had an equal amount of stability that everyone else seemed to have in their lives was a hard thing to come to terms with.

This was a picture from early January 2024. I was inside and it was hot at the gym, and yet, my right hand is still discolored as if I had been outside in the cold for a long time. This is my new normal due to my subclavian steal syndrome. My left arm could have a normal blood pressure of 130, but my right arm rarely gets above a bp of 90. Using my right arm forces more blood to be taken from my brain, which can make me feel dizzy and off balance. It doesnt happen every time, or every day, but its pretty damn easy for me to spiral into anxiety when i do get symptomatic. 

I spent the first 3 months of 2024 quite literally doing nothing but reaching out to as many cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons as I possibly could. I became obsessive about my condition and refused to rush into another procedure like I did the second time around. I was sending my imaging and info to dozens of hospitals around the country. Im proud of all the work I put in getting additional opinions, because I was backed up time and time again that a third surgery was the best idea, and that my current team at Penn is very highly regarding as one of the best. 

Left pic is another moment of courage being willing to travel to Puerto Rico again in the spring of 2024. I would get so many tests and consultations done before leaving to make sure it was ok to travel. Since the Spring/Summer of 2023 was such a wash in terms of being down and depressed, I chose to hold off on this 3rd operation to get a little bit more "life" in. I didn't want to give this time up if I was able to take a "wait and watch" approach and wait till closer to winter 2024 to get the 3rd redo operation. Im glad i've gave myself this time, but its still been very challenging and anxiety inducing. There really is no right time to get an operation, no matter how well you try to plan it. Middle pic was the spring blooms in Fairmount Park in philly. Last pic just feels necessary, I cant share all this life stuff without showing my sweet lil Tahini girl. She was the momma of a litter of kittens we (mainly Claire) fostered in 2023. We thought we were going to keep a kitten, but she was just too precious. 

Exercising in the summer of 2024. I really did fall into a bad spot after hearing about the stent kinking and losing the ability to move my body the way I wanted to. I've worked hard to find new acceptance over my condition, rather than wishing it was different. This is my life and you really dont realize how much of gift that it is, until certain things are taken from you. The pic to the left was swimming at my local Y, which I started to do more frequently, since it was less intensive on my body. Sometimes I might only be able to do one lap and my right arm will get too tired, other times I can go a bit further. These are very frustrating moments. Regardless, theres no way I would let myself quit, especially with the nerve damage. The only ways it will heal, is time in general and if you engage with your body. So i have been very very determined to gain mobility and strength back in my right arm before I get operated on again. The pic to the right is going on a run in Ridley Creek Park. I stopped doing long distance runs after the stent kinked too. But all it takes is a short run for me to get that feeling I crave. Note that though its never come back fully, that my left bicep does work a bit now!! Just like my diaphragm, i've learned to take control in certain ways, and things DO heal a bit eventually.

Pics from the Penn emergency room in late August 2024. I had been feeling increased symptoms and got a ton of tests done to make sure it was still ok to hold off until Nov 12th for my scheduled date. After a few days, I was discharged and given the a-ok that we didnt need to operate sooner. Claire brought me a homemade dish which was SO good after waiting for over 13 hours for a room.

Over all, this has been a pretty tough time in my life and this process has been pretty relentless. I've been nervous to share this openly and have never made a donation page for the other two procedures because I didn't want to pressure or concern anyone. I also don't want to scare people away from needing to address things with their own health. I am not a common case and modern medicine is truly amazing. My teams have been lovely and for the most part i've been given great care. I've wasted so much time being angry and asking whos to blame or "why me" or "what if" certain things happened differently... but I cant change any of that and it only brings me more suffering. Its hard to wrap up this whole story, because there will probably never be a time that I "move on" from all of this. It will always be a part of me. I will forever be a heart surgery survivor. Somehow even through it all, I've never been more content, I have a deep sense of acceptance, I am more at peace, and filled with an obscene amount of love.

Im moving into these next few months with confidence from all these past experiences, I feel ready, educated, and I know that there is still so much to look forward to in life. I really cannot thank you all enough for being a helping hand in this journey with me, its saved me time and time again. Thank you for your help. Lets do this!!

With luv <3 - Tyler, T, Tboy, Tdawg, Tbone, Wooski, Woo, Yoder, Ty Ty, Ty Guy, etc etc etc to infinity and beyond