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Adam Pick's Blog About Heart Valve Replacement Surgery And Heart Valve Repair Surgery
 

Adam Pick, Patient And Author Of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery
Adam Pick
Double Heart Valve Surgery Patient
and Author of The Patient's Guide
To Heart Valve Surgery


> Read My Story Here


Archive for the 'Patient Success Stories' Category

Jim’s Heart Surgery Adventure… Bicuspid Valve Replacement, Tamponade And Heart Failure

Friday, October 3rd, 2008

Talk about twists and turns during the early recovery from bicuspid aortic valve replacement surgery! Jim from Alabama has quite the tale to tell… Here is what he writes:

Hey Adam,

First, I’d like to say how much I appreciate you and your heart surgery book. You provided my family and I with great information and gave us some peace of mind prior to my surgery and even now as I recover.

My story really started about 5 years ago when I, and some medical folks, thought I had a heart attack. When the smoke cleared, I was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis. I guess the alleged heart attack (or “episode” as the cardiologist called it) was a warning shot that something was wrong with my heart. I was perplexed as to how I could have a congenital heart problem after serving 21 years in the Air Force and never being told I had an issue or even a murmur. Of course, now I understand.

Jim Cummings - Bicuspid Aortic Valve Replacement Patient Success Story
Jim - Bicuspid Aortic Valve Replacement Patient

Fast forward to June 2008…

Continue reading this post »

After Valve Replacement, Etan Thomas Readies NBA Return To Wizards

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

When it comes to heart valve disease, professional athletes are just like us. We have heart valve surgery. Guess what? They have heart valve surgery.

In prior blogs, I have detailed the inspirational stories of several athletes including Teppo Numminen (Hockey) and Ronny Turiaf (Basketball). Both athletes returned to professional sports after heart surgery. Now, Etan Thomas from the Washington Wizards is on his way back to basketball court. The Washington Post issued this interesting story earlier today:

When Etan Thomas says that the process of recovering from open-heart surgery began with “baby steps,” he really means it.

Etan Thomas - Heart Surgery - Aortic Valve Repair
Etan Thomas - Aortic Valve Replacement Patient

Continue reading this post »

Charlene Offers Patient Wisdom And Praise For Dr. Gleason

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

I just received an insightful email from Charlene (in Florida). First of all, her surgery was a success. YEEEAH! CONGRATS TO CHARLENE!!! Second, she raises some critical points for those of you preparing for valve surgery. Here is what she writes:

Dear Adam,

This past July, I found out that I had an aortic aneurysm and would need aortic valve replacement as well as aorta replacement. As a 45-year old woman with small children, I have to admit this scared the hell out of me. Your book helped so much with all the information and uplifting stories. I would like to pass on some of the wisdom of what I found to you and the others reading your blog.

1. I recommend that everyone get actual copies of all their testing.
You may not understand the test results but when you go for a second opinion it helps so much at least you can point out the parts you do not understand and ask the questions. My cardiologist in Florida obviously did not read my initial echocardiogram. It showed the aneurysm back in 2006 and he never said a word about it. It was not until 2008 that he sent me for a CT scan to see what was going on.

Second Opinion Survey Results For Valve Surgery Patients
Getting Second Opinions - Patient Survey (2007)

Continue reading this post »

One Indiana Man… Three Valve Repairs And Forty Pounds

Sunday, September 21st, 2008

Here’s a great patient success story about the medical miracle of valve surgery…

When Jeffrey Kistler began gasping for air at night, the suspected cause was sleep apnea. But when the problem persisted, worsening when lying down and getting better when he sat up, he went to the emergency room, which prompted abundant follow-up tests involving his heart.

The 44-year-old fork-lift driver from Griffith, Indiana who has a long list of family members with heart problems, eventually learned he had a golf ball-sized aneurysm in his aortic artery along with some extensive valve damage.

With the aneurysm already well beyond the limit doctors deem dangerous enough to require surgery, Kistler prepared himself for open-heart surgery, getting his life in order, as he says, and talking to family members for what he thought might be the last time.

Kistler also had to choose the type of replacement valves to be used to repair his heart. A mechanical valve could last the rest of his life, but being a foreign object, it might cause bleeding, infection or other problems and would require him to take a blood thinner for the rest of his life.

He chose a human cadaver’s valve (aka homograft) because a cow valve or pig valve might not last as long as he needed.

David Jayakar, MD - Heart Surgeon
Dr. David Jayakar - Heart Surgeon

Cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Dr. David Jayakar, of St. Catherine’s Hospital in East Chicago, had Kistler choose the type of replacement valve he wanted as a backup even though he fully intended to do what few surgeons will — repair all three of the faulty valves instead of replace them.

Continue reading this post »

Esther’s Mitral Valve Repair Video - 88 And ‘No Regrets’

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

For me, there is nothing better than patient inspiration.

That said, I am a lucky person. Ever since I had my aortic valve replacement and started this website, my inbox has been overflowing with inspirational thoughts from all different types of people from all over the world.

Recently, I learned of Esther Robinson’s inspirational story. At 88-years old, Esther recently had mitral valve repair due to mitral valve prolapse / leaking heart valve symptoms. Her cardiac surgeon Doctor Peter Birnbaum at Fresno Heart & Surgical Center. MedWatch did a great job documenting Esther’s mitral valve repair (pre- and post-operative) on video. That said, I thought you might like to see her mitral valve repair video.

Mitral Valve Repair Video - Esther Robinson (Patient)

To watch the Ester’s video, simply click the image above or click this link… Esther’s Mitral Valve Repair Video.

Peter Birnbaum - Heart Surgeon, Fresno California
Dr. Peter Birnbaum - Esther’s Cardiac Surgeon

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Even though I don’t personally know Esther her positive nature is contagious. Plus, like me, Esther likes to stop and smell the roses.

Keep on tickin Esther!

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.


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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