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 ContentsAcknowledgmentsForewordIntroduction1. Living for Eden — Part 12. My Wife, Lynnette3. Living for Eden — Part 24. Growing Up the Son of a Newsman5. Living for Eden — Part 36. Memory of a Christmas Past7. Living for Eden — Part 48. A Broken Heart9. Living for Eden — Part 510. This Disease Could Kill Me11. Living for Eden — Part 612. The Gift of Music13. Living for Eden — Part 714. “Pianist's Competitors Rally for Fellow Artist”15. Living for Eden — Part 816. Pioneer Faith17. Living for Eden — Part 918. “Son of KSL Editorial Director Dies after Being Tased by Police”19. Living for Eden — Part 1020. “I Knew You Would Come”21. Living for Eden — Part 1122. Fishing with Brian23. Living for Eden — Part 1224. A Tribute to Brian25. Living for Eden — Part 1326. Living for Eden — Part 1427. My Memory of the Transplant28. “With a New Heart . . . Paul Cardall Beats Odds Yet Again”29. Living for Eden — Part 1530. “Paul Cardall Recovery a 'Miracle'”31. Living for Eden — Part 16Epilogue: Looking BackProgression of My HeartEndnotesPhoto and Illustration CreditsIndexBook 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.