Full recovery expected to follow upcoming surgery

District 7 Superintendent Ed Hightower returned to work June 3, following six weeks of recuperating from Endocarditis.

"Six weeks ago, I became ill and was hospitalized at Barnes-Jewish Hospital where I was diagnosed as having Endocarditis," Hightower said. "Endocarditis is the bacterial infection of the lining of the heart. I was very fortunate that the bacteria confined itself to the lining of the heart and in my neck and did not spread to other parts of my body."

Hightower said he has had a heart valve disorder called Mitral Valve Prolapse all of his life. Mitral Valve Prolapse is a disorder in which the heart''s mitral valve -- which separates the left upper chamber (atrium) from the left lower chamber (ventricle) -- billows out and does not close properly.

Hightower recently completed six weeks of antibiotics and on Monday and Tuesday he reported back to Barnes for a series of exams to determine if the bacteria was eradicated.

"I was issued a clean bill of health that bacteria no longer existed and was free to continue my normal activities; however, there is some concern with the possibility of this condition returning and the decision to have surgery to repair the Mitral Valve Prolapse," Hightower said.

Hightower said there is currently no timetable set for the surgery. He will soon meet with a cardiologist and surgeon to determine the date.

"In speaking with the medical doctors, they feel that upon completing the surgery and rehab period, I will be able to resume all activities that I embraced in the past," he said. "I will be able to able to continue refereeing and anything else that I want to do."

Hightower has now almost returned to his full work schedule.

"I have been back to work since June 3 for two to three hours a day and recently have increased my hours at the office," Hightower said. "I''m on a pretty full schedule. I come in at 8 o''clock and stay to 3:30 or 4 o''clock."

Hightower said he has no immediate plans for retirement, as some have speculated while he was recovering.

"I''m 53 years old," Hightower said. "I plan to go for a few more years in education. I''m not ready to retire."

Hightower would like to thank the citizens of District 7 for their prayers, kind thoughts, phone calls, cards, and so many positive acts of kindness during this period.

"I have always been blessed with good health and have never experienced any prolonged health issues prior to this incident, however with the support that my family and I have received from so many people, it has certainly made life easier for us."