Dr. Randolph Chitwood & East Carolina Heart Institute Launch Heart Valve Clinic Microsite

By Adam Pick on April 2, 2013

When I started this website 6 years ago, I had no idea what I was doing.  Early on, however, I was very lucky to connect with Dr. Randolph Chitwood, the director of the East Carolina Heart Institute (ECHI) and mitral valve specialist.

 


Dr. Randolph Chitwood & Me at ECHI

 

So you know… Dr. Chitwood is also a former patient who had coronary artery bypass surgery in 1998. That said, Dr. Chitwood immediately understood my mission to educate and empower patients. Today, I consider Dr. Chitwood a friend, an advisor and an amazing surgeon who successfully treated many patients in our community — including Scott Newson, Lori Glew and Mary Watson.

 

East Carolina Heart Institute - Heart Valve Clinic Microsite

 

On behalf of the patients and caregivers in our community, I want to thank Dr. Chitwood and the entire staff at ECHI including Dr. Nifong, Kristen King, Amy Etheridge, and Jerome Fuller, for their support of this project.

Keep on tickin!
Adam


Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick, Heart Valve Patient Advocate

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.


Jeggsey says on April 18th, 2013 at 3:22 am

Hi, my first post to this site, and by way of introdution let me say:-

I had my ‘man-made’ prosthetic mitral valve implanted in 2002, and due to some problems had it replaced again in 2008. It’s working just dandy at the moment.

Futhermore, just last month (February 2013), I have had my tricuspid valve replaced with a pig valve, and I am now recovering just fine, although this time I ended up with an infection which increased my stay in hospital, by another couple of weeks. When putting me on the heart-lung bypass machine, they had to use of my femoral artery, as the right side of my heart was too swollen, to gain good access. That’s where the infection happened, in my leg.

Incidentally, I am a computer geek, having worked in that industry for 39 years, first starting when I left school back in 1974. I am now 56 years of age. I am TPD (Total & Permanent Disability). You see I am also bipolar which is why I am “classified TPD”. I do not work for anyone, but I am very interested in helping people with their computing needs, I am pretty well savvy with computing and associated disciplines.

Here’s a few Tips:-

To those of you, who need to manage their medications, you’re probably aware of some helpful tools available for your mobile phone, and your desktop computer. It’s a good idea to have your devices syncronised. Personally I use apple computers including my MacBook and iPhone.

This is in no way sponsored by anyone, but is just my recommendations.

>>> To manage my medications I use medtracker. The cost is $0.
>>> To track my INR history and dosage I use the calendar, with weekly appointments, reminders and phone calls to my GP. You don’t need to purchase any INR apps.
>>> I use Reminders with calendars to track my doctors appointments. I have four regular doctors, to keep track of. Reminders help me with any FUPs (Follow up actions).
>>> I use the internet to fully understand my illnesses and the medications I am on. I use the evernote app to “collect” and file all my favourites sites.
>>> My attitude is always a positive attitude, no matter what the situation. This helps.

Again, I am not promoting and specific tool for personal financial gain. There in none. These tools are all free and are available on whatever computing equipment you use, whether it be Apple, Micro$oft, or Linux, and android. And the ones that I use may not be the best, but they do the job for me.

Please give it a thought.

I have my little alerts sounding every time I need to take my pills, and my caring wife is fully supportive, and I am happy, ’cause I can still play with my gadgets.

The bottom line is –
have a good time, don’t worry be happy,
use the tools if you want,
Namaste


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