As American Heart Month comes to a close, a Cincinnati family is reminding people to take care of their heart health. JR and Bridget Wood are a team. For 15 years, they have been navigating love, marriage, and parenthood. Recently, due to health concerns, we expanded our team to include staff from Christ Hospital. JR and Bridget are passionate fans of their various soccer teams, but unlike many heart patients, JR's story begins with a routine checkup. Doctors at Christ Hospital discovered that JR had an aortic aneurysm. Further tests revealed that she also had a genetic disease. At that time, Dr. Jeffrey Answini was added to the husband and wife team roster. “Our program here is one of only 50 programs to be certified as a treatment center of excellence for hypothermic cardiomyopathy,” Answini said. JR's surgery was successful, but after a few days his body began to suffer. “I was still so scared that I was going to lose him because I almost lost him so many times during the surgery and they kept telling me it was a roller coaster, things were going to be tough. “It might get better, but it's going to get worse,” Bridget Wood said. “So it took me a long time to believe that things were getting better.” That roller coaster lasted a month, and the father of two was placed in a medically induced coma for two and a half weeks. . When JR regained her consciousness, he found his favorite thing: “When she woke up, I told her that her heart was going crazy because of her.” JR said. “Because I love her so much.'' The Wood family is not taking anything for granted. Mr. JR was in the hospital over Christmas, so this year we will be celebrating Christmas with him in July. He celebrates with experiences, not presents. “It made me realize what's really important in life and that I'm here for a reason,” JR said. “Be a great father and a great husband. There are more things to experience in life than to be angry and upset about things that don't matter.” JR and Bridget's message to everyone is as follows: It's scary, so take the time to check your heart health. That time could save your life.
As American Heart Month comes to a close, one Cincinnati family is reminding people to take care of their heart health.
JR and Bridget Wood are a team. For 15 years, they have been through love, marriage, and raising children.
Most recently, due to health concerns, we expanded our team to include staff from Christ Hospital.
JR and Bridget are passionate supporters of their various soccer teams, but otherwise work well together.
Then their world was turned upside down.
Unlike many heart patients, JR's story begins with a routine checkup. Doctors at Christ Hospital discovered that JR had an aortic aneurysm. Further tests also identified a genetic disease.
At that time, Dr. Jeffrey Answini was added to the husband and wife team roster.
“Our program here is one of only 50 programs certified to treat hypothermic cardiomyopathy,” Answini said.
JR's surgery was successful, but he was in pain for several days afterwards.
Bridget Wood said: “I was still so scared that I was going to lose him because so many times during the process I almost lost him and they kept telling me, “This is a roller coaster, things will get better.'' , because I kept saying things were going to get worse.” “So it took me a long time to believe that things were getting better.”
The rollercoaster ride lasted a month and the father of two was placed in a medically induced coma for two and a half weeks.
When JR came to, his favorite teammate was beside him.
“When I woke up, I said my heart was going crazy because of her,” JR said. “Because I love her so much.”
The Wood family takes nothing for granted. JR was hospitalized over Christmas, so this July he will be celebrating Christmas with an experience rather than a gift.
“It made me realize what's really important in life and that I'm here for a reason,” JR said. “Be a great father and a great husband. There's more to experience in life than being angry and upset about things that don't matter.”
JR and Bridget's message to everyone: Even if it's scary, take the time to check your heart health.
The time it takes could save your life.
