Florida bowler overcomes aneurysm to bowl Junior Gold
July 20, 2016
INDIANAPOLIS - When Kevin Fischer of Winter Park, Florida, awoke on March 23, he didn't anticipate anything out of the ordinary happening to him. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for the day to quickly become one he would never forget.
That day, Fischer experienced difficulty breathing along with extreme muscle cramping. An ambulance was called to take Fischer to the hospital where his blood pressure was found to be 200/99. He was given a CT scan, and the doctors concluded he was having a thoracic aortic aneurysm and needed emergency open-heart surgery before his aorta ruptured.
An aortic aneurysm is an enlarged or bulging aorta in the main artery of the body. If stressed, the aorta can become weak and burst. Fischer was at risk for a thoracic aortic aneurysm due to a connective tissue disease called Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder.
Fischer's mom, Joyce, also has Marfan syndrome and had the same procedure done in her mid-30s. But that day in March was the first issue of any kind in regards to Marfan syndrome for Fischer, and one that could've been fatal.
After undergoing numerous medications, hours of rehabilitation and physical therapy, Fischer started his road back to bowling in late May. He threw a 10-pound ball at the beginning of his recovery and worked his way up. Now, Fischer finds himself on the lanes at his third Junior Gold Championships, something that almost wasn't possible on March 23.
"I think I more or less took being here for granted," Fischer said. "It definitely changed my outlook because the odds of me surviving that night were rather slim. So, it makes me want to take advantage of it and give my all to everything I do. I'm very thankful to even be walking and alive. It's changed my outlook. Don't take life for granted."
Fischer began bowling as a child after watching his mom bowl league. He wanted to give it a try, and he hasn't put a bowling ball down since. Through bowling, and now, both of their experiences with Marfan syndrome, their relationship continues to get closer.
"She's been very important," Fischer said. "She's been 110 percent behind me and very supportive. She's always been there when I want to get better whether it's helping pay for lessons, equipment or tournaments. She's always been very supportive and happy that I'm happy with bowling and wanting to get better."
Although Fischer was off the lanes for a period of time, his goals didn't change. Ultimately, he'd like to represent the United States in international competition as a member of Junior Team USA or Team USA, and he has the opportunity to do that this week.
"My goal was to make Junior Team USA," Fischer said. "I'm still in the running for it. I'm plus 27 after 12 games. I need a couple more big days, but I definitely know it's obtainable. Last year my goal was to make the top 64 cut. I fell short, but I've worked pretty hard over the year besides being out health-wise. I bowled Team (USA) Trials in January and finished 45th. I've tried to change my goals to what I believe can happen if I have a good week. Representing my country on either Junior Team USA or Team USA is one of the bigger goals I have in bowling."
The top four boys and top four girls in the U20 division after 25 games of qualifying automatically qualify for 2017 Junior Team USA, if they are age-eligible. In addition, the winner and runner-up after bracket play in the U20 division also make the team. If one or both of the finalists in the bracket already earned a spot through qualifying, the next age-eligible athlete based on the qualifying standings will take the spot. Bowlers must be age 20 or younger as of Jan. 1, 2017, to be eligible.
For more information on Junior Gold, go to Bowl.com/JuniorGold.
That day, Fischer experienced difficulty breathing along with extreme muscle cramping. An ambulance was called to take Fischer to the hospital where his blood pressure was found to be 200/99. He was given a CT scan, and the doctors concluded he was having a thoracic aortic aneurysm and needed emergency open-heart surgery before his aorta ruptured.
An aortic aneurysm is an enlarged or bulging aorta in the main artery of the body. If stressed, the aorta can become weak and burst. Fischer was at risk for a thoracic aortic aneurysm due to a connective tissue disease called Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder.
Fischer's mom, Joyce, also has Marfan syndrome and had the same procedure done in her mid-30s. But that day in March was the first issue of any kind in regards to Marfan syndrome for Fischer, and one that could've been fatal.
After undergoing numerous medications, hours of rehabilitation and physical therapy, Fischer started his road back to bowling in late May. He threw a 10-pound ball at the beginning of his recovery and worked his way up. Now, Fischer finds himself on the lanes at his third Junior Gold Championships, something that almost wasn't possible on March 23.
"I think I more or less took being here for granted," Fischer said. "It definitely changed my outlook because the odds of me surviving that night were rather slim. So, it makes me want to take advantage of it and give my all to everything I do. I'm very thankful to even be walking and alive. It's changed my outlook. Don't take life for granted."
Fischer began bowling as a child after watching his mom bowl league. He wanted to give it a try, and he hasn't put a bowling ball down since. Through bowling, and now, both of their experiences with Marfan syndrome, their relationship continues to get closer.
"She's been very important," Fischer said. "She's been 110 percent behind me and very supportive. She's always been there when I want to get better whether it's helping pay for lessons, equipment or tournaments. She's always been very supportive and happy that I'm happy with bowling and wanting to get better."
Although Fischer was off the lanes for a period of time, his goals didn't change. Ultimately, he'd like to represent the United States in international competition as a member of Junior Team USA or Team USA, and he has the opportunity to do that this week.
"My goal was to make Junior Team USA," Fischer said. "I'm still in the running for it. I'm plus 27 after 12 games. I need a couple more big days, but I definitely know it's obtainable. Last year my goal was to make the top 64 cut. I fell short, but I've worked pretty hard over the year besides being out health-wise. I bowled Team (USA) Trials in January and finished 45th. I've tried to change my goals to what I believe can happen if I have a good week. Representing my country on either Junior Team USA or Team USA is one of the bigger goals I have in bowling."
The top four boys and top four girls in the U20 division after 25 games of qualifying automatically qualify for 2017 Junior Team USA, if they are age-eligible. In addition, the winner and runner-up after bracket play in the U20 division also make the team. If one or both of the finalists in the bracket already earned a spot through qualifying, the next age-eligible athlete based on the qualifying standings will take the spot. Bowlers must be age 20 or younger as of Jan. 1, 2017, to be eligible.
For more information on Junior Gold, go to Bowl.com/JuniorGold.