JAN 20, 2009 UPDATE

ON HOLD AT THE MOMENT: SEE NOTE ABOVE

Here is an update: I have been accepted into a clinical trial at the Baptist Heart Hospital in Miami, FL for a "percutaneous mitral valve repair kit" for my severe mitral valve regurgitation problem. This is where they will insert a clip/spring on the mitral valve so that each time blood is pumped out of the ventricle the mitral valve (flap) will close. Right now it is stuck open and the blood that gets pumped out most of it falls back into the ventricle and thus the heart muscle has to work harder to get that blood out again. This cycle causes the muscle to increase in size and thus it get weakened and flabby and the ejection fraction decreases.

Anyway, I have been approved for the program for January 09 and it means a two day stay in the hospital and only a minimally invasive surgery to place the clip on the mitral valve. They go up the groin instead of the traditional method of doing an open heart surgery to replace it with a pig valve. So, it is a lot safer, easier, and simple. They also have in the national clinical trial a 95% success rate so they feel that after the trial runs its course that the FDA will quickly approve this new method as a means of repair for those that meet the criteria. What those are I don't know, but I do know that with my sick heart I meet the criteria and that I am grateful for.

I will keep you all abreast of the developments of that possible surgery. I still have to get approval from insurance, etc. You know that will be an interesting trick. However, I am going to show the insurance company how much of a win win this is with less invasive surgery, less cost, lower risks, and a longer improvement of heart health which translates into lower costs for them. This should be quite an interesting challenge to say the least.

Please, each of you have a very Merry Christmas worship season as you rejoice in our Savior's birth and gifts to us eternally.

Sincerely, Mike Rumble

PS. The heart seems to be doing ok even in spite of Atrial Fibrillation, severe mitral valve regurgitation, 25 % EF, and all the other problems it faces. Too many others to mention. Thanks.

PSS There will be a follow-up article about my Stem Cell progress in the Port St. Lucie Palm Beach Post on Thursday the 11th of Dec 08.