Local News

Mayor Sanderson On The Mend After Open Heart Surgery

September 6, 2018

Mayor Craig Sanderson continues to recover from open heart surgery after suffering a heart attack on election day. The Mayor issued a statement saying he is on a path to recovery, "Although my pain is long from being over, I praise God and thank him for putting me through this as I know that I’m on a very clear path to recovery coming back stronger than ever." 

Mayor Sanderson underwent the surgery in Flagstaff  for heart valve replacement. He was born with a defective valve but was unaware of the problem as he had no shown any symptoms. 

Mayor Sanderson has decided to make his recovery staying at his home in Tusayan, even though his home in Page is closer to a hospital. "
The thought was we would stay our house in Page which is close by a hospital.  After considering the “bumpy” road we would have to travel and the extra distance, we changed plans and decided to stay at our home in Tusayan.  " 

The following is Mayor Sanderson's entire statement:
One week ago today (Sept. 4)  at this time I was sitting in a waiting room in pain from a broken ankle.  I had failed a nuclear stress test collapsing by passing out on the treadmill.  The cardiologist was working on getting me a bed in the hospital to be admitted for an angiogram followed by open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve.  The following morning I was being cut open, stopping my heart, lungs and other organs while splitting my chest open to replace my sever stenosis aortic valve with a bovine valve (from a cow).  As it turns out, I was likely born with a bad aortic valve that slowly worsened and calcified over decades so that I didn’t recognize the symptoms that a typical bad valve patient would feel.  Nobody including myself knew I had a bad aortic heart valve even during 30+ EKGs for the FAA and others over the years.   After being admitted into Flagstaff Cardio Vascular ICU and during the surgery, the cardiologist and surgeon determined that the rest of my heart and cardiovascular system was in good shape so I only needed a new valve with several other precautions such as a pacemaker.  None of those other precautions were needed (no pacemaker) but they were prepared.  The entire process at the hospital was very methodical with each day progressing according to timelines.  Procedures where in place preparing for all the what ifs.   Every person who was in contact with me had a specific role to ensure the recovery went as smoothly as possible.  Although very painful, they kept a balance between reducing the pain to allow a more efficient recovery and not allowing excessive use of pain killers that have short and long term negative impacts on my body.  5 days after my heart surgery was complete, I was walking and being released from the hospital.  We checked into the Taylor House which has beds like a hotel and a large common area living room and dining room so the whole family can visit outside of the hospital.  After sitting at the kitchen table with my grandkids enjoying Navajo tacos prepared by my daughter Alicia and the the girls, we spent the night in Flagstaff with plans to drive to Page today.  The thought was we would stay our house in Page which is close by a hospital.  After considering the “bumpy” road we would have to travel and the extra distance, we changed plans and decided to stay at our home in Tusayan.   We will continue to keep our plans fluid and just do what is right to best ensure the best recovery possible.   The grandkids have made it known very clearly they are worried about me and want to see me around for many years to come.

Although my pain is long from being over, I praise God and thank him for putting me through this as I know that I’m on a very clear path to recovery coming back stronger than ever.  I thank my wife and family who have been there to support me.  Thanks to all my friends and coworkers who have shown concern and are willing to help in whatever way they can. 

For now, it’s just going take patience for Sheila and I to keep doing the things I have learned I need to do while also not doing the many things that I know I shouldn’t do so I can heal.   I’ll keep you updated on my status and will let you know if I could use your help with anything.   

Craig Sanderson