Johnny Kaseforth making good progress in recovery
“I never gave up,” said Johnny Kaseforth, 20, as he talked about his recent bout with infective endocarditis, a stroke and heart valve surgery.
“When they told me what had happened to me and when I started going to therapy, I made up my mind that I would not stop until I get back to normal,” Johnny said during a recent interview.
Infective endocarditis is an inflammation of the inner tissues of the heart, the endocardium, usually of the valves. It is caused by infectious agents, or pathogens, which are largely bacterial but a few other organisms can also be responsible. Before the age of modern antibiotics, it was almost universally fatal.
The good news is that Johnny returned home to Springfield on December 20 after spending 35 days at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester where he underwent extensive tests, cardiac surgery and therapy to recover from a stroke caused by the ailment.
Johnny was born with a bicuspid aortic valve — a bicuspid valve that has only two leaflets, instead of the normal three, explained his parents, John and Roseanne Kaseforth, during the interview. The aortic valve regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta, the major blood vessel that brings oxygen-rich blood to the body.
A heart murmur detected the condition during a physical examination when Johnny was a high school freshman interested in playing football for the Springfield High School Tigers.
Aortic Stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease. “With a bicuspid aortic valve alone, one can live a long, normal life,” explained Roseanne. “It’s when aortic stenosis occurs and the heart’s aortic valve narrows that there is cause for concern.” This narrowing prevents the valve from opening fully, which obstructs blood flow from the heart into the aorta and onward to the rest of the body. When the aortic valve is obstructed, the heart needs to work harder to pump blood to the body. Eventually, this extra work limits the amount of blood it can pump and may weaken the heart muscle.
Benefit set for Johnny Kaseforth
A benefit fundraiser for Johnny Kaseforth is being planned by friends and will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Springfield Area Community Center with a soup and sandwich supper (freewill offering) served from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
“It’s more than a benefit,” said Johnny’s father, John Kaseforth. “It’s a time when we can express our appreciation to all who have supported our family in many ways, and provide them with an opportunity to see Johnny.”
Friends Dale Lindmeier, Ed Meidl, Nick Seidl and Jan Kratz are heading up the benefit with many others assisting with the planning and work.
There will also be a silent auction. Anyone who would like to contribute items for the silent auction and/or wishes additional information is encouraged to call Meidl at 507-227-2625.