You’d never guess that Thomas Muellner, a writer, musician, rec soccer player, and world traveler is a three times heart surgery survivor. Thomas was born with a rare heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and had heart surgery twice while growing up. His most recent surgery was during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout his journey of hospitalizations and surgeries, Thomas remains grateful. He truly emerged as a stronger, more optimistic person who considers his struggles with TOF as a superpower.
Morphine, not water: heart surgery and hope in a global pandemic
Recent Stories
Finding comfort in other people’s stories
By lending my voice to the conversation about valve disease, I hope my experiences can help other patients who feel as overwhelmed and intimidated as I first did, even in just a small way.
Nina Bamford’s story
Nina Bamford shares her experience with aortic stenosis. Nina recognized that her quality of life had declined due to valve disease, and sought treatment.
Linda shares to help others
After her symptoms started to worsen and her energy level dropped, Linda contacted her cardiologist and was diagnosed with mitral valve stenosis.
Susan shares her story to help others
I just thought that the shortness of breath with exercise was I wasn’t in as good of shape, my lungs had some scarring from radiation, and I had some chest tightness and I thought that was just anxiety.