Straight from the Heart

You can't do what you love anymore. Not only can you not do that, you can't do anything that involves any serious activity. The worst part is, this isn't even a choice that was yours to make. Something that isn't even in your control is preventing you from doing something you love...Can you imagine how that feels?

That's how things were for young Bobby Pantano, who was diagnosed with a serious heart condition known as Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis at only age 2. For those who don't understand what this means, it basically meant that Bobby's aortic valve couldn't open completely, and his heart had to now work twice as hard to pump blood throughout his body. The stress from this can cause things such as heart failure and many other significant problems.

Bobby went through life as best he could, up until around 3 years ago when his condition started to affect his daily activities. Now normally, people with this condition don't see any symptoms until they are in their 40's or 50s...but Bobby had started to suffer from them at only 12 years old. He couldn't play sports, but more importantly, he was told he could not ride his scooter. However, that didn't stop Bobby. Riding was Bobby's passion, and he was not ready to give that up.

The condition would show no improvement, and Bobby and his family made the decision that he would have to undergo heart surgery. The procedure was said to be a minor one, called Catheterization. The procedure however, was not a success. As a result Bobby had to go through not one, but two, open heart surgeries this past summer at the Boston Children's Hospital.

The first surgery was meant to repair his aortic valve...the procedure failed. After spending another six days in the hospital, on the day Bobby was supposed to be able to go home, he was told he needed another surgery performed the next day called the Ross Procedure. What they would be doing was taking his pulmonary valve, and using it to replace his aortic valve, they would then replace his pulmonary valve. Throughout both surgeries, and all through recovery, there was only one thing on Bobby's mind. Getting back on his scooter. This would not come easy though. Bobby had to spend 2 months off of his scooter and go without any strenuous activities to ensure he didn't risk causing any further damage. Bobby tried his best to wait the full two months, but shortly before the two months was up, he couldn't resist at least getting out in his driveway and doing some riding. When the official date came around where Bobby could safely ride, he came back with a new outlook on riding and life. He got right back into it, feeling stronger, and more psyched to ride than ever before. The below video is footage from after his surgery.

What Bobby went through is something I would never wish anyone to have to experience. But the fact that Bobby is still here with us, and living and riding safely is reason for anyone to smile and be thankful for good health and happiness. I have a lot of admiration for Bobby, and anyone else who has had to face problems that were out of their hands that prevented them at one time or another from doing something they love. I hope Bobby and anyone else this relates too stays strong and never gives up whatever fight they have ahead of them. Congratulations Bobby on the successful recovery and the great video you made. I wish you nothing but the best brother.


-Written by Steven Tongson