A Note to You, Dear Reader:

Dear Reader:

For the first time since the beginning of February, 2005, I regret to say that there won’t be a blog post this week. The reason is both simple and troubling. My dear wife, Anna Zamosc (known to many as Moreh - Hebrew for “teacher) Chana, will be undergoing heart surgery this coming Monday. The specific procedure is known as TVR (Transcatheter aortic valve replacement) a minimally invasive procedure used to replace a narrowed aortic valve. The underlying cause is not - as with most people - aortic stenosis (a narrowing of the aortic valve), but rather a sequela (a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease) of her lifelong problem with Osteogenesis imperfect (O.I.), frequently called “Brittle Bone” disease.

People with this rare disease cannot undergo the “regular” surgical procedure, known as Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) because it necessitates first cracking open the patient’ sternum (breastbone) prior to replacing the problematic valve; this procedure (sternotomy) really shouldn’t be done when the patient suffers from O.I. as well.

Anna should be in the cardiac intensive care unit sometime on Monday afternoon, and then moved to a regular room either late Tuesday or early Wednesday.  If all goes well, she should be returning home in time for this coming Shabbat.  We are very optimistic; her cardio-thoracic surgeon, Dr. Joseph Lamelas, pioneered this surgical technique.  He isn’t merely world-class; we prefer to think of him as galaxy-class.

For anyone in a praying mood, Annie’s Hebrew name is חנה חוה בּת נעמי (Chana Chava bat Naomi).  (Please note: it is an old Jewish custom that when praying for someone’s recovery, we mention their mother’s name.

Surgery will be taking place at the University of Miami.

Thanks in advance for your care, concern and prayers.  As many of you know, Annie is a galaxy-class human being who deserves nothing but the best . . . and then some!

KFS