Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

Carol just sent me an email that touches on a common, patient challenge 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, Carol”

Like many of you, I can relate to Carol’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 Carol’s question, I do have two, final bits of advice specific to fear management that might help.

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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!

P.S. If you have any advice to share with future patients and caregivers, please do so by clicking here.

About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.

Blog Topics: Aortic Valve Disease; Terminal Heart Valve Stenosis; Heart Valve Surgery Risk.

Okay. This blog is NOT for those of you who are struggling with your perceived fear of heart valve surgery.

That said, feel free to read ‘Dispelling The Fear Of Heart Surgery’ before you consume the words below.

Are we good? Alright… Here goes nothing:

I just received an email about the risks of aortic valve stenosis, specifically terminal heart valve stenosis. The question read, “Is heart valve stenosis terminal?”

This is a new question for me! Personally, I’ve never any clinical evidence which suggests that the narrowing of the aortic valve is terminal. Instead, I have understood that as common knowledge.  However, in thinking about it more, the answer is probably and unfortunately “Yes”.

I say that because… If a stenotic heart valve is left untreated, the impact on the heart would eventually lead to excess strain on the heart, an enlarged heart and, most likely, an untimely death as the disease gets more and more severe.

(However, you should know that I’m not a doctor. I’m just a former aortic valve replacement patient thinking about the topic. I could be completely wrong.)

Personally, I’ll never forget what my cardiologist said to me when I was diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis. Dr. Bad Bedside Manner (that’s what I call him now) said to me, “You’re not going to die tomorrow… But, I wouldn’t wait very long to take action on this.”

That was a very, very, very, very, very tough statement to digest.

But, now… Twenty-four months later, I’m better than new! I can’t believe my two-year anniversary is this Friday, December 21. Robyn (my wife) and I are going to celebrate together.

I hope that explains a little bit about terminal heart valve stenosis. If you would like to learn more about valve replacement surgery risk, please click the link.

Keep on tickin!

Adam Pick is the author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. This special book was designed to help patients and caregivers better understand the realities of heart valve surgery (heart valve replacement and heart valve repair), to minimize patient stress and to enhance the patient’s recovery. To learn more about Adam’s heart valve surgery book, click here.

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.

Click to read more patient quotes, strategies, tips and advice on heart valve surgery.

Keep on tickin,

Adam