Before My Heart Stops: A Memoir

I was born with half a heart. God made up the difference.

This is the remarkable true story of one man's struggle to survive long enough to get a second chance at life.

Award-winning musician and popular speaker Paul Cardall was born, essentially, with half a heart. After living more than three decades with a congenital heart defect and undergoing six major heart surgeries and numberless procedures, Paul was informed that his heart would not beat much longer.

“Paul was a poor candidate for a heart transplant,” says Angela T. Yetman, MD. “It would be technically difficult and possibly fatal . . . but Paul was determined to beat the odds.” And beat them he did.

Along the way, Paul wrote down his thoughts, feelings, and observations in an online blog called “Living for Eden,” named for his three-year-old daughter. This book reflects those blog entries and additional intimate insight into a miraculous journey that convincingly shows that God knows us personally and that we are put here on earth for a reason.

Paul says, “I'm a witness that these soul-stretching experiences can offer us, if we let them, joy, wisdom, happiness, and a personal relationship with God.”

After reading his story, you might also ponder the question, What do I need to do with my life . . . before my heart stops?

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Introduction
1. Living for Eden — Part 1
2. My Wife, Lynnette
3. Living for Eden — Part 2
4. Growing Up the Son of a Newsman
5. Living for Eden — Part 3
6. Memory of a Christmas Past
7. Living for Eden — Part 4
8. A Broken Heart
9. Living for Eden — Part 5
10. This Disease Could Kill Me
11. Living for Eden — Part 6
12. The Gift of Music
13. Living for Eden — Part 7
14. “Pianist's Competitors Rally for Fellow Artist”
15. Living for Eden — Part 8
16. Pioneer Faith
17. Living for Eden — Part 9
18. “Son of KSL Editorial Director Dies after Being Tased by Police”
19. Living for Eden — Part 10
20. “I Knew You Would Come”
21. Living for Eden — Part 11
22. Fishing with Brian
23. Living for Eden — Part 12
24. A Tribute to Brian
25. Living for Eden — Part 13
26. Living for Eden — Part 14
27. My Memory of the Transplant
28. “With a New Heart . . . Paul Cardall Beats Odds Yet Again”
29. Living for Eden — Part 15
30. “Paul Cardall Recovery a 'Miracle'”
31. Living for Eden — Part 16
Epilogue: Looking Back
Progression of My Heart
Endnotes
Photo and Illustration Credits
Index

Book on CD: This unabridged audio version of Before My Heart Stops is recorded by Paul Cardall with narrations by his wife, Lynette, and his father, Dwayne Cardall. Also featured is the foreword written and recorded by Dr. Angela Yetman. Listeners will also enjoy excerpts from Paul's music.

Deseret News article about Before My Heart Stops by Hikari Loftus (Click Here)