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10-Year Heart Surgery Anniversary Reunion in Florida!

By Adam Pick on February 27, 2020

My heart warms anytime the patients in our community connect in person. I love seeing their smiling faces. I love seeing their hugs. I love knowing that their friendships continue into the future as their valve disease fades to the past.

For example… After meeting at the HeartValveSurgery.com Community in 2010, Richard, Susan, Pete, Cheryl, Peter, Peggy and Duane just reunited in Winter Haven, Florida to celebrate their 10th anniversaries after heart valve surgery. As you can see below in a photo from their 2012 reunion, this isn't their first Spring Break reunion in Florida.

Heart valve patient reunite in Florida with Fran Zilko

Fran, Duane, Peter, Peggy, Susan, Richard, Peter, Cheryl (2012)

As I look at these pictures, I smile from ear-to-ear.

I cannot believe that these amazing people have turned my crazy, Internet ideas and dreams into reality. They met online. They supported each other in a difficult time of need. They cared for each other. They were inspired to meet, meet again and meet again. Can it get much better?

Richard, Susan, Pete, Cheryl, Peter, Peggy and Duane are a special testament to the human spirit, the concept of community and the power of love.

Fran Is Smiling Down!

I can only imagine that this reunion has been different (and perhaps tough) without Fran. As you might recall, Fran passed away in 2018. Fran joined us in 2010 as she prepared for aortic valve replacement due to aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation.

Fran & Peter Zilko

Fran's willingness to share her story and help others was boundary-less. I was "wow'ed" by the strong bonds that Fran formed with other patients. Seeing her posts inspired me to continue building our community.

I know Fran was at the reunion in spirit. I know she was looking down from Heaven. And, I know she was smiling, like me, from ear-to-ear.

Many thanks to Richard, Susan, Pete, Cheryl, Peter, Fran, Peggy, and Duane for being a part of our community and sharing their reunions with us!!! Congrats on your 10-year heart valve anniversaries!!!!

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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