When Caroline was aged 2, one of her pulmonary valves was not working correctly, so she had a procedure known as “Brock,” to remove obstructing tissue. This procedure was a success, creating a hole in the pulmonary valve. This was, and continues to be, a very rare procedure. Unfortunately, as one ages, the hole gets smaller and smaller. As a result, Caroline needs open heart surgery to insert a new valve. This surgery is being done on Tuesday, August 3rd, by a world-renowned Cardiac surgeon, one who happens to have been hired and trained by the doctor who did Caroline’s original heart surgery. Although the new valve is from a cow, I suspect this will not influence Caroline’s eating habits! Post surgery, per the doctor's advice, Caroline can eat whatever she wants but a Mediterranean-style diet is recommended (chicken, fish, vegetables, nuts and fruit). Luckily, Caroline loves salmon (especially smoked). (Written by Pam Brecker Hendrickson)