Patient Stories Blog - Page 11

By Adam Pick

Heart Surgery, Pregnancy, Labor And Baby Delivery… Can You Help Shannon?

By Adam Pick on April 22, 2009

I recently received a very interesting email from Shannon about heart surgery, pregnancy, labor and baby delivery. In her note to me, Shannon asks for help from other patients about delivering a baby after heart valve surgery. Can you help her?

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After Double Heart Valve Surgery And Aortic Root Repair, Jonathan Smiles In Traffic

By Adam Pick on April 11, 2009

Talk about an incredible, patient attitude towards heart valve surgery? I thought all of you might appreciate reading about Jonathan Abramson… Here is Jonathan’s story:

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After Delayed Stroke, Jeff Gets Recovery Back On Track

By Adam Pick on March 31, 2009

As a follow-up to an earlier blog about stroke and heart surgery (see “Is Stroke A Risk During Heart Surgery?“), I just received this patient update from Jeff. You can tell that Jeff’s positive attitude is going to help him throughout his recovery. Here is what he writes:

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In Memory Of George Soldan… And, His Durable Aortic Pig Valve

By Adam Pick on March 30, 2009

I often tell patients that heart valve surgery should be perceived as a medical miracle.

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After Aortic Valve Replacement, Mavis Shares Four Heart Surgery Lessons

By Adam Pick on March 27, 2009

Here’s an interesting email I just received from Mavis. Nine weeks after heart valve replacement, Mavis has created four, key “heart valve surgery lessons” to share with our community. Here is what she writes:

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Even With Recovery Challenges, Josh Feels “New Lease On Life” After Heart Valve Surgery

By Adam Pick on March 16, 2009

Here is an insightful, patient story about Josh from Oregon. As you can read below, Josh offers a unique glimpse into some of the common challenges and opportunities patients experience during early heart surgery recovery. I say “early” because Josh had his operation less than two weeks ago.

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Marathoner, Jarrett Roberts, Discovers “Second Chance” After Heart Valve Repair

By Adam Pick on March 7, 2009

There is nothing better than waking up in the morning, putting on my robe and slippers, grabbing a cup of coffee, turning on my computer and reading an inspirational, patient story like the one below. Plus, Jarrett’s thoughts about the “waddling penguins” and the “Adam Tinmen” made me giggle. That said, I thought you might like to read about Jarrett Roberts. He writes:

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Barbara Bush Recovering From Heart Valve Surgery

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: November 7, 2023

Yesterday, Barbara Bush, at 83 years of age, joined a long list of public figures to have undergone successful heart valve surgery.

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Mini-Thoracotomy For Heart Valve Replacement… Jim’s Story

By Adam Pick on March 4, 2009

Interest in minimally invasive procedures for heart valve surgery is increasing for both medical device manufacturers and patients. As we learned last week, Medtronic spent over $1 billion to acquire CoreValve and Ventor Technologies, two companies that specialize in non-invasive valve replacement technologies for diseased aortic valves.

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Doctor And Mountain Climber, Leo Hernandez, Recovering From Bicuspid Valve Replacement

By Adam Pick on January 30, 2009

I just received this educational and inspirational note from Dr. Leo Hernandez, MD. I thought you might enjoy reading, seeing and learning about Leo’s heart valve surgery journey. He writes:

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After Ross Procedure, Garrison Doing Great!!!

By Adam Pick on January 28, 2009

I just received the most fantastic picture of 5-year old Garrison Griffith. His mother, Vanessa, sent me this picture along with a very reassuring note about her son’s heart valve surgery.

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A Loose Alfieri Stitch Does Not Stop Leslie’s One-Year Anniversary Celebration!

By Adam Pick on January 27, 2009

I just received an anniversary note from Leslie Lafayette in California. I thought you might like to read how she is doing one year after robotic mitral valve repair surgery.

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Roy’s Heart Valve Update: From Dubai To London To Glasgow

By Adam Pick on January 13, 2009

From no symptoms in Dubai to aortic valve replacement in London. Here is an interesting patient story from Roy:

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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.

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Robin’s Mitral Valve Repair In India (VIDEO)

By Adam Pick on January 3, 2009

The term medical tourism is relatively new. But, more and more, I am hearing of patients traveling to places like India for surgical procedures including heart valve repair and heart valve replacement.

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Lisa’s Mitral Valve Repair, Blood Transfusions and… Christmas Shopping

By Adam Pick on December 24, 2008

This email just came in from Lisa, a registered nurse from Colorado, who had mitral valve repair surgery less than two weeks ago. I thought you might appreciate reading about Lisa’s experience, her attitude toward heart surgery and her early recovery. Here is what she wrote:

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Mayor David Dinkins Had Heart Valve Replacement Surgery in 2008

By Adam Pick on December 16, 2008

Former New York Mayor David Dinkins joined the growing list of public figures requiring heart valve replacement surgery. According to reports, Mayor Dinkins is recovering in a Manhattan hospital following valve replacement surgery.

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Nurse Julie Asks About Aortic Valve Surgery, Symptoms And Female Scars For Her Daughter

By Adam Pick on December 4, 2008

Something wonderful comes over me when I receive a thoughtful email from a loving caregiver.

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Brian Drives Past Cardiac Depression And Heart Palpitations

By Adam Pick on November 28, 2008

There is nothing better than receiving inspirational, patient success stories from my readers.

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