Help Dirk Krog recover from Open Heart Surgery

The Catch-Up:

My Open-Heart Surgery

There is a lot to unpack here. The goal is to give a brief summation so you can have an idea of what happened and the purpose behind this request. I do want to thank the extensive amount of people who offered encouragement, support, and prayers during this time. Immense gratitude for God and all of the health professionals/staff that allowed me to be here, writing this eight months later. As well as anyone who is able to offer additional support in any form. I appreciate each and every one of you. And please do not feel in any way obligated to provide anything.

In late November 2021 while I was attending Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine, I was diagnosed with an aortic root aneurysm, dilated to 5.0cm. In non-doctor speak, I had a football shaped dilation of the primary blood vessel coming out of my heart. This was later confirmed to be a genetic mutation affecting my connective tissues. On April 20th, 2022 I had emergency open-heart surgery to repair the aneurysm. Following a successful operation I was struck with a number of post-operative complications, primarily being pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding my heart). Other separate issues were discovered to include a tumor on my adrenal gland, lesions on my lungs and liver. For the next six to eight weeks I was treated for pain, pericarditis, fluid on my heart, fluid in my lungs, and suspected blood infections. This amounted to 30+ days in the hospital, six hospital rides, and one flight in a helicopter.

Between the diagnosis and operation, a lot of personal questions arose. I had to make a lot of changes in my life and some were exacerbated by the diagnosis. During that time there was a massive weight on me physically and mentally. I didn’t handle things the way I should have, or at a minimum to the best of my ability. I know during this time my behavior changed, I kind of withdrew, and didn’t show up for people/friends like I should have. I started to struggle much more in school and became quickly overwhelmed. And I want to apologize to those people I didn’t reach out personally to.

Fast forward to today, I am much happier and healthier. Most of the above mentioned issues have been resolved, or are regulated through medication. I still go to six to eight appointments a week. I need one more operation, that will be done at a later date due to my school schedule. I’ve spent much of this time focusing on my mental and physical recovery, so that I may complete my studies. There have been a lot of costs to myself and my family during this time. Any donations will be going to paying these remaining costs I am unable to cover. I would like to pay back my parents for so many of these unforeseen expenses. Anything additional, I could return or donate to a medical center in need, like the Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic. If anyone has more questions, please reach out.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely and God Bless,

Dirk