X-Ray Trivia: Can You Find Joe’s New Heart Valve Replacement?

By Adam Pick on April 23, 2010

Joseph Minnucci has really taken advantage of our new Heart Valve Journals tool to communicate with his support group and fellow patients. That said, you may already be aware that Joe had heart valve replacement surgery on February 8, 2010.

 

Joseph Minucci - Aortic Valve Replacement Patient
Joseph Minnucci – Heart Valve Replacement Patient

 

After reading through Joe’s journals, I clicked on his photos section. Amongst all the interesting and fun pictures, I found an x-ray which actually shows Joe’s new, aortic tissue valve. I thought you might want to see this amazing photo, so I inserted the picture below.

To help you locate the new heart valve replacement, I included a red arrow that points directly to Joe’s new, 27 mm sized tissue valve.

 


X-ray Of Joe’s Aortic Valve Replacement (Tissue)

Pretty neat x-ray, right?

So you know, if you look real close… On the left side of the x-ray, you can see a few sternal wires as well.

Thanks to Joe for sharing this incredible x-ray with us!

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.


Vernon Young says on April 23rd, 2010 at 1:35 pm

Adam, you don’t know how many people, including myself, you have helped in publishing your book. I had my aortic valve replaced on July 31, 2008. I can’t believe that it has almost been two years. One suggestion that I would make from personal experience is how important it is to reduce weight. My wife and I started with the Weight Watchers Point System in January. I’m 35 lbs lighter than I was and my wife has lost 15 lbs. The difference in how I feel now versus then is like night and day. My goal is to reduce weight to 155-160 lbs by the end of 18 months. I saw my doctor yesterday and he was ecstatic about the weight loss. He has taken me off 4 BP drugs. I can now bicycle 20 miles a day or more without concern (it even helps with BP). I sleep better without valve noise… I like that! But you have done a tremendous service in bringing this project to life. I don’t know what God has in store for you and your family, but I hope and pray that it enriches you beyond your wildest expectations.



Adam Pick says on April 23rd, 2010 at 2:07 pm

Wow.

Thanks so much for the kind words Vernon! That really means a lot to me. FYI, this work (the book, website, etc.) is the best human nourishment I have ever experienced. I’m thrilled to be able to help and be of service to the future patients and their caregivers.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

P.S. Congratulations on your recent weight loss! Sounds like you are feeling great!!! Please let me know when you reach your target weight level. Perhaps at that time, we can write a patient success story about you? 🙂



stephanie crummey says on April 24th, 2010 at 9:50 am

Congratulations on your weight loss, I am trying hard but have only lost 6 lbs, but am walking alot and it is slowly decreasing (weight that is). I have my preassessment next Tuesday for my aortic valve replacement around 2nd June (waiting for written confirmation). This is in the UK so dont know if it as advanced as yours.

Good luck, and wish me some. I am very nervous.

Stephanie



Joe says on April 24th, 2010 at 2:14 pm

Adam,

Thanks for the feedback and sharing my picts on your blog.

Great job on the book and especially the journals. Both have been very helpful to me and my family before, during and after the surgery. Getting feedback from fellow patients and sharing stories and tips was extremely useful.

Thank you so much for taking the time to create and maintain this site!

Joe



MARTIBEE says on April 26th, 2010 at 3:39 pm

Are there any web sites where I can get info about mitral valve replacement? I will be having the surgery in the next month or two, due to a congenitally defective mitral valve. I am a 67 year old female in relatively good health
(not on any medication other than aspirin for arthritis) and need all the info I can get, as to what to expect as well as whether it’s better to get a pig, cow or metal valve. How long will I be out of commission, and will I ever be able to work at anything physical after the surgery?



Renee Brown says on July 11th, 2013 at 1:16 am

I have seen my valve working with all the wires holding my chest together…just amazing…
Now 10 months and 1 day post op!!



helen says on July 11th, 2013 at 9:05 am

a big thank you for all the clear info sooooooooooo supportive


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