Recovery for Dr. K (Paul Karaiakoubian at JAMS)

Why $31,415 you might ask?  Because these are the digits of pi to help a loved and respected Math Teacher at John Adams Middle School in Santa Monica, California.  Recently, Dr. K unexpectedly had open heart surgery and is due to get a pace maker.   His road to recover will be anything but short and easy and  will take at least 2 - 3 months.  Please consider helping him with future expenses he will incur so that he can get back to his job that he is so passionate about.  Let's show him the support I know our community can rally up!


A little explanation from Dr. K himself:

Dear JAMS Family,
 
I know many of you have heard that I have a medical condition and that I will be missing time from work.  Unfortunately, this is true, which breaks my heart.  For those curious about the specifics, I can tell you that this is an incredible shock.  I have heart issues in my family history and I have always known this.  This is why I have spent most of the latter half of my life trying to stay in shape, which may also explain why many of you have mistaken me for a PE teacher rather than a math teacher. 
 
Well, I had felt sick for weeks and finally went to the doctor.  They ran tests such as EKG’s and blood work and said I was completely healthy.  Thus, I went back to my routine and played basketball Monday with some friends.  During basketball, I got extremely fatigued and quickly.  I figured I was out of shape.  The next day I felt awful and the day after too.  My girlfriend had enough and insisted I go to Urgent Care.  I guess you could say I’m a little stubborn and I argued against it but eventually went.  They ran the same tests.  All clean.  I seemed completely healthy.  I just glanced at my girlfriend and kept telling her what a waste of time this was.  Well, the doctor finally decided to try one last test, a CT Scan, to check my lungs.  Although they didn’t find anything in my lungs, the radiologist came out immediately after my CT scan.  He asked me if I had heart issues.  I said no and that I have monitored that for decades.  He then told me I had an abnormally large aorta.  Being a math teacher, this meant nothing to me.  My body was healthy.  How bad could this be?
 
Apparently pretty bad.  I was rushed to the emergency room and then eventually transferred to USC Keck for surgery.  The cardiologist came in and explained my issue.  Apparently, most aorta are about 2 cm in diameter.  Anything above 3 cm means surgery is necessary.  The scan showed mine was at 7.5 cm.  The doctors had never seen one this big and told me after they performed surgery that it was the most difficult ones they had done.  They also found out why this enlargement occurred.  During surgery, they found that my heart valve also had a birth defect.  Because of this, my heart had to work harder and my aorta did more work which forced it to expand to get enough blood flowing in my body. 
 
At first, I was devastated.  I did all this working out and sports to keep me healthy and it almost had the opposite effect. How was this happening?  How could I have messed up so badly?  Then it hit me.  I was looking at it the wrong way.  It was because I kept good care of myself that nothing happened sooner and that I am going to make a speedy recovery.  Because, as I’ve mentioned, I’m a bit stubborn.  Thankfully not stubborn enough to not listen to my amazing girlfriend who has been by my side this whole time.  I guess, I have her to blame for all these tubes and stitches.  I am a lucky man.  A dumb man, but lucky and humbled.
 
Now, this means that I am going to be out for 2-3 months as I recover.  I want to apologize more than anything.  I cannot tell you how much it hurt knowing I would have to be away from my incredible students, families, and JAMS community.  You guys inspire me to be better and motivate me to wake up each morning to teach my amazing students.
 
I am trying my best to be back as soon as possible. Regardless of the outcome moving forward, I want to thank all of you for being so supportive and incredible.  Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything.  I am always here for all of you.
 
Best,
Paul Karaiakoubian