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After Mitral Valve Repair Operation, Joanne Cruises With Barely Visible Scar

By Adam Pick on January 9, 2009

Some patients simply have "It". The "It" is an incredibly positive attitude towards open heart surgery.

Case in point... Joanne. First, she finds the humor in an incentive spirometer. Then, she takes a celebratory cruise only nine months after mitral valve repair surgery.

Joanne - Showing Her Incentive Spirometer Trick

I just received this note and picture from Joanne. I thought you might like to read it:

Hi Adam -

A very Happy & Healthy New Year to you and your family!

Thought I'd send you this 9-months-post-mitral-valve-repair photo update. I thought the scar would be more obvious than it is, but it's good to know that in real life, it isn't!

Patient on cruise after heart valve surgery

Joanne - 9 Months After Open Heart Surgery

Obviously, I felt good enough to take a cruise in the Caribbean and drink an island special. I was told by the surgeon to keep the scar out of the sun for a year -- so I'm under a lovely palm tree and in the shade.

Here's hoping for the same or better recovery for everyone this year.

Thanks again for everything - your book, your blog and your support.

Joanne

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Written by Adam Pick
Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

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.

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