Young Michigan patient’s heart still belongs to Buckeyes

The Toledo, Ohio native is a diehard Ohio State fan, and unfortunately for Applin, he recently had to undergo heart surgery. That’s a good thing for Applin, because Urban Meyer and Ohio State have some pretty attainable expectations of repeating as National Champions, something the young man surely doesn’t want to miss out on enjoying. He didn’t want the device that was about to be inserted into his heart to change his loyalties. He was anxious that doctors from the Ann Arbor hospital would turn his heart away from his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes.

Aaaaaaaand now is when your local Buckeye fan points out the difference in records between the two programs in 2014, and says Applin’s concern is, in fact, entirely understandable.

Applin, adopted from a Russian orphanage five years ago by Jennifer and Neal Applin, had an atrial septal defect – a condition that creates holes in the heart and interferes with proper blood flow. As he grew older, the holes grew larger and enlarged his heart.

Dr. Grifka, of Mott’s Congenital Heart Center team, performed what’s called a cardiac catheterization.

There is always the worry about negative side effects when someone goes under the knife for surgery.

“He keeps asking me to take out the calendar and show him the exact day his recovery period is officially over so he can stop resting”, Jennifer said. “He needs to ensure it is in time for his first soccer follow”.