Patient Stories Blog - Page 2

By Adam Pick

Shared Decision Making: What Should Heart Valve Patients Know?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 3, 2022

Given the lifetime challenges and opportunities associated with heart valve disease (e.g. valve replacement failure, heart valve reoperations, etc.), the idea of “shared decision making” among patients and their doctors has become one of the important topics in heart valve disease right now.

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Deena Wins Our Summer Patient Giveaway!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: July 20, 2022

Thanks to all the wonderful patients in our community who entered our Summer Patient Giveaway!

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Charlie Inspires 7,000 Likes At Our Facebook Page!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 16, 2022

With 4,000 Facebook Likes, Timothy’s Post-Op Picture Goes Viral!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: April 12, 2022

Our global community of patients, care partners, doctors, physician assistants, nurses, hospitals and medical companies is downright amazing!

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After Emergency Surgery, Baby Alfred Gets “Second Chance” at Life!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: January 11, 2022

In November… Thanks to your extraordinary support, the patient community at HeartValveSurgery.com sponsored the cardiac surgery of Baby Alfred, a courageous 8-month old boy from Nigeria, who suffered from Tetralogy of Fallot, a life-threatening form of heart valve disease.

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Heart Warrior Spotlight: John Bikes Coast-to-Coast After Mitral Valve Repair!!!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: November 29, 2021

A mighty “CONGRATULATIONS!!!” is going out to John Deysher, a heart valve patient from our Community.

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Married Couple Share Unexpected Heart Surgery Bond!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: September 20, 2021

The stories in our Patient Community just get better-and-better!

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Little Traver Finally Gets Life-Saving Heart Surgery!!!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: June 9, 2021

Yes!!! I have an update about Traver!!!

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After COVID-19 Delay, Little Traver Prepares for Heart Surgery Journey!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: April 7, 2021

Yes!  We have a new surgery update to share about Traver!

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With 6,300 Facebook Likes, Michael Inspires Heart Valve Patients Around the World!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: March 30, 2021

After Heart Surgery, Marylin Celebrates Her 70th Birthday!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: March 10, 2021

Congrats to Marylin Canon, a mitral valve patient in the HeartValveSurgery.com community, who celebrated her 70th birthday with yummy sweets and a new HVS hat.

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Valve Day Patient Spotlight: From Tragedy to TAVR Triumph, This Is Donna’s Story

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: February 22, 2021

Donna Hartley has struggled with many health challenges during her life – malnourishment, heart disease, a plane crash, cancer and then… more heart disease.

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Traver Readies for Heart Surgery Thanks to Gift of Life & You!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: January 8, 2021

To keep 2021 going in the right direction, I have some joyful news to share with the HeartValveSurgery.com community.

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Tapan “2.0” Rises After Heart Valve Surgery!

By Adam Pick on August 17, 2020

It never gets old.  The joy. The happiness. That special feeling when I open my email and see a patient success story from the HeartValveSurgery.com community.

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Mother & Son Share Special Heart Surgery Bond Thanks to Dr. Marc Gillinov!

By Adam Pick on June 17, 2020

There is nothing better than an extraordinary patient success story.  For example, this story of Kathy Chelton, Carter Chelton (her son), and Dr. Marc Gillinov (their surgeon) made me smile from ear-to-ear.  Here is what Kathy, from Liberty, Missouri, wrote to me:

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After Heart Surgery, Frank Wins Pickleball Silver Medal At National Championships

By Adam Pick on April 15, 2020

I love when patients in our community send me their success stories.  For example, Frank Collura just brought a smile to my face.  Here’s what Frank emailed me:

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In These Difficult Times… John & Larry Inspire Us

By Adam Pick on March 21, 2020

During these challenging times of uncertainty, confusion and disbelief caused by COVID-19, I was lucky to just experience an unexpected and inspirational moment thanks to John Roland and Larry Manshel.

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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.

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After Heart Surgery… John, His Robe & His Yellow Socks Inspire 4,700 Facebook Likes!

By Adam Pick on January 14, 2020

Thanks to John O’Neill, the new year could not have started any better for our community.

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Guest Blog: 6 Years After Heart Valve Surgery, Jim is a Track-and-Field Success!

By Adam Pick on November 12, 2019

The favorite part of my work as a patient advocate is connecting with the wonderful patients in our community.

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