I recently launched a new section of this website called Heart Valve Journals. This new, interactive tool was designed to help patients, families and friends communicate before-and-after heart surgery. Already, several hundred people have signed up for this free service.
Amy Machtay - Mitral Valve Repair Patient
One of those patients is Amy Machtay, from Raleigh, North Carolina. Amy created her own Heart Valve Journal just before her minimally invasive, mitral valve repair surgery last month.
For me, reading Amy’s journals, seeing her pictures, and reviewing her Guestbook, has been inspirational.
Thanks for your emails requesting an Ethan update!
So you know… Our little boy is now 11-months old and getting ready for his first birthday. As you might imagine, Robyn (my wife) and I continue to be amazed by just about everything Ethan does. For example, here is a video of Ethan walking on camera for the very first time.
Ethan is showing himself to be a very curious, busy, fun and happy little boy.
It feels great to wake up, turn on the computer, click my inbox and open a patient success story.
That said, this is the story of Ashish (Ash) Yaduka from Indiana. Ash just had robotic mitral valve repair a few days ago. Here are the details:
Ashish Yaduka - Mitral Valve Repair Patient
Hi Adam,
I had a successful robotic assisted mitral valve repair performed at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic on Wednesday, March 10, 2009. I was in the intensive care unit for less than twenty-four hours. Then, I was in a step-down room for two days. In total, I was in the hospital for four days.
The research foundation of the nation’s largest group of thoracic surgeons has awarded University of Michigan’s Jennifer C. Hirsch, M.D., M.S., with the Nina Starr Braunwald award, a top award for women in cardiac surgery.
As Erica Chapman, a 2008 aortic valve replacement patient, writes about her, “Dr. Jennifer Hirsch was an exceptional surgeon. There was never a moment she wasn’t there for me - before or after the surgery. I commend her on her communication skills. She answered all of my emails within hours. She also explained the procedure in a way that I could understand it.”
Dr. Jennifer Hirsch, M.D.
Hirsch, a cardiac surgeon at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, is an author and co-author of articles on surgical approaches to congenital heart defects. She is also surgical director of the pediatric cardiothoracic intensive care unit at U-M Medical Center.
All rights reserved. Use of this website, Heart-Valve-Surgery.com assumes acceptance of the terms herein. All logos, pictures and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. This website has been developed and presented by Adam Pick, author of "The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery." Patient's stories herein, and the language used regarding heart valve replacement and heart valve repair, is intended to inform and educate. HOWEVER, it does not imply that you or anyone else will receive the same outcome. As with any medical procedure, results will vary among individuals, and there could be pain or substantial risks involved. These concerns should be discussed with your health care provider prior to any treatment so that you have proper informed consent and understand that there are no guarantees to healing. Adam Pick does not offer medical advice on this website. This information about valve replacement and repair is offered for educational purposes only. Do not act or rely upon our information without seeking independent professional medical advice. The transmission of this information does not create any relationship between you and Adam Pick. Adam Pick does not guarantees the accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or adequacy of any information available at or from this transmission. Heart Valve Replacement and Heart Valve Repair
