Steve’s Journal From the Heart

“My life was saved to tell you this story.”

2/22/2022

In June 2020, I had 5 weeks to live. I had a rare disease called cardiac sarcoidosis. It was undiagnosed for 5 years.

My heart failed July 29, 2020. An intra-aortal balloon pump kept my blood flowing. I received 7 heart offers in 3 days.

The heart transplant was August 3, 2020. As a heart transplant survivor, I would like to make myself available to you......

... to any who are struggling with heart disease....

I should have died several times, but I now have a clean bill of health. If I can do it, so can you, your loved ones, or someone you know. In ICU, I had pneumonia, ventilator, sepsis, medically induced coma, and near death experiences. Happy to share the experience.

They told my family they didn't know what else to do. Then I had a miraculous recovery.

I did the cardiac rehabilitation program. They expected 40% exercise recovery, I got 209%.

That gave me strength, stamina, and confidence. I climbed Sharptop Mountain, 90 days after discharge. My life was saved to tell you this story.

The donor's name is Daniel. I received a letter from his younger sister.

(Elton John: “Daniel my brother...")

She shared that their mother passed 8 years before.

(Elton John: "Do you still feel the pain?")

I saw Elton John in concert in 2019. The video (behind the drummer) was amazing. A younger man aged to an older man!

(Elton John: "Oh God it looks like Daniel...")

Remarkable! Inexplicable! You must see the video. He comes to Florida in April. I hope to meet him.

I hope to meet Daniel's family someday.

American Heart Association heard my testimony. State and federal lobbyists called me for help.

I'm helping to get a Florida bill passed on CPR for 911 operators, and two Federal bills passed on cardiac rehab programs. I'll be meeting with Florida senators Scott and Rubio in the coming weeks.

69% of cardiac sarcoidosis cases are found in autopsies. That's not good. There is a cure for this disease if it's detected early enough. Steroids kill sarcoids. The mission is clear.

I'm working on a bill for early detection of cardiac sarcoidosis. Dr. Leslie Cooper of Mayo Clinic, their leading cardiologist researching this topic, is helping, asking me to speak to medical boards, and wants me to write a case study.

I had no fear facing death.

This formula worked for me:

faith + perseverance = victory

After a complete recovery, with a perspective on life that can be gained no other way, I hope my testimony can bring hope to others who need hope. Please help me instill courage and hope in others facing similar circumstances.

Steve