Lately, a wonderful email is going around the Internet about the wave photography of Clark Little, a Hawaiian photographer and surfer. Each time I see the email, I am excited to click on it. And, each time, I end up sighing, “Wowwwwwwwwwwww”, as I scroll through the magical pictures.

Earlier today, I received this exact email from Paul Kiminski, a heart valve surgery patient, who wrote, “Seeing these photos are one reason to stay around – endure the surgery – and enjoy the beauty one more day.”

That said, I was inspired to post this blog hoping Paul’s message resonates with some, if not, all of us.

Without further ado, here are more amazing photos by Clark Little…

Now that’s what I call a shore-break…

Pretty top-heavy and powerful…

I would call this one, “Clay Break”… Do you see the palm trees in the background?

It looks like Clark Little, the photographer, is standing up inside the wave on this one… Amazing!

Wow… Can you imagine what Clark had to experience after snapping this picture? Ouch!

This could be my favorite. Do you see the sun setting inside the wave?

Talk about a sandy, water wall!

I’m inspired to do something, anything after that one.

So clean, simple and beautiful.

Clark Little – The Photographer

Again, thanks to Paul and Sam for forwarding this email to me. I’m thrilled to be able to share it with our community.

Keep on tickin!

Carole just sent me an email that touches on a common, patient emotion prior to surgery… fear.

In her note she writes, “Adam – Next week I am scheduled for surgery due to severe mitral regurgitation resulting from a prolapsed valve. I’ve known about this for over 15 years but I can’t believe the time is finally here. Thank you for your book and your blog. However, even with all the helpful information, I’m still scared. As the surgery approaches, I’m not sleeping well – which makes the situation even worse. I have to ask… Do you have any final pieces of advice to calm my fears? Thanks for all you do, Carole”

Like many of you, I can relate to Carole’s concerns as she prepares for surgery. Although statistics suggest most patients live longer, healthier lives after heart valve surgery, that does not stop fear from rattling our consciousness.

So… In response to Carole’s question, I do have two, final bits of advice specific to fear management that might help.

First, a long time ago, one of my mentors shared with me the hidden truth about fear. He taught me that fear is really nothing more than an acronym… F.E.A.R. That acronym stands for Fantasized Experiences Appearing Real.

Over the past twenty years, I have used this acronym to reduce stress and transform the reality of most “fearful” occurrences. To truly understand this point, consider all that you have feared in your life. Has most of that F.E.A.R. come true? My gut tells me you might answer that question with a simple “no”.

My second piece of advice is best revealed through a special poem that was offered to me by a friend during a difficult time in my life. While there is debate about who actually wrote the poem (Christopher Logue or Guillaume Apollinaire), the inspirational message is undeniably clear.

The poem is called, “Come To The Edge”:

“Come to the edge,” he said.
“But, we are afraid,” they said.

“Come to the edge,” he said.
“But, it’s so high,” they said.

“Come to the edge,” he said.
“But, we might fall,” they said.

“Come to the edge…” he said.

They came…

He pushed…

They flew!

I hope all the patients out there (including Carole) are ready to fly – metaphorically speaking. Sometimes, as the poem alludes, we just need a little push to get past the F.E.A.R.

If you like, please consider this a loving, virtual push from me to you.

Remember… Although cardiac surgery is not risk-less, statistics suggest your surgery is likely to be a success. But, please, please, please take the time to understand your valvular disorder, get a second opinion, evaluate your surgical options, research your potential surgeons and properly prepare for the recovery.

Keep on tickin!

P.S. If you have any calming thoughts or ideas to share, please click here to leave a comment. Or, scroll down to read 25+ patient responses to this blog.

Over the years, I have collected many insightful and inspirational quotes from patients about their heart valve surgery procedures. Personally, I learned A LOT from former patients as I prepared for my own aortic valve replacement. Receiving direct advice from patients really helped me understand the potential ups and downs of heart surgery.

That said, I am going to start posting these quotes in this blog to support future patients and caregivers. I really hope these quotes help you.

The first “Best Piece of Advice” comes from Karen in Florida. It’s a quick, one sentence thought that focuses on the fear, uncertainty and doubt relative to heart surgery. Here it is…

I really appreciate that thought – especially considering our prior discussions about F.E.A.R. (the acronym for Fantasized Experiences Appearing Real.) As Karen alludes, your mind can play some awful tricks on you leading up to the operation. However, heart valve surgery statistics show that most patients live longer, healthier lives as a result of cardiac surgery.

Keep on tickin!

It happens often!

I will be talking with a heart valve surgery patient when they say something ab-sooooo-lutely brilliant.

As I learned when I had my aortic and pulmonary valves replaced, speaking with former cardiac surgery patients was incredibly helpful. There is a sense of related-ness that is simply unmatched.

For this reason, I started a new category in my blog called “Excellent Patient Quotes”. I’m going to use this space to share with you some of the inspirational, wise, motivational and loving comments that I hear when I’m out speaking with heart valve surgery patients and caregivers.

Today’s excellent quote is about the recovery from heart valve surgery. As I personally experienced, recovering from open heart surgery can be extremely difficult for the patient and their caregivers.

Kathy Benson – Heart Valve Surgery Patient (Minnesota)

Anyways, Kathy Benson from Minnesota recently had an excellent quote about mis-managing your expectations of recovery and comparing yourself to other patients. Here is what Kathy revealed:

“Don’t gauge your surgery and recovery on others. Each surgery is unique and each patient will handle things in a different manner. It seems that patients strive to become normal as fast as they can. What is normal? We will forever be heart surgery patients.”

In my opinion, that could not be more true.

Keep on tickin!

It happens often.

I will be talking with a heart valve surgery patient when they say something brilliant. As I learned when I had my aortic and pulmonary valves replaced, speaking with former patients was incredibly helpful. There is a sense of related-ness that is simply unmatched.

DeWayne Epley – Former Heart Valve Surgery Patient

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