Patient Stories Blog - Page 3

By Adam Pick

Mava’s Smiling Scar Selfie Inspires 7,300 Facebook Likes!

By Adam Pick on February 16, 2019

Many, many, many thanks to Mava Reif, from Saint Cloud, Florida, for inspiring our community!

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Sara Educates & Inspires 38,443 People About Heart Valve Surgery!

By Adam Pick on January 17, 2019

I need to take a quick minute to thank Sara Colosimo for sharing her journey to a healthy heart with our community!!!  If you have yet to visit Sara’s Heart Valve Journal, now is your chance.

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Remembering Fran Zilko (1939 – 2018)

By Adam Pick on December 4, 2018

On behalf of our community…  I am sending thoughts, prayers, condolences and love to the family and friends of Fran Zilko.  I was soooo very sad to learn that Fran, who had successful aortic valve replacement surgery in 2010,  passed away after a fall and issues with her kidneys, lungs and heart.  Born in 1939, Fran was a nurse, a wife to Peter, a mother to Christine, Teresa and Stephen, and a grandmother to Michael, Katya and Frances.

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Heart Valve CareLine Helps Save Bob’s Life!

By Adam Pick on October 3, 2018

Bob Taylor was running out of time.  His heart valve disease was worsening and his insurance company just denied him a life-saving operation.  Then, Bob’s daughter heard about the Heart Valve CareLine.  This is Bob’s extraordinary story.

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Why Did 100 Patients & Care Partners Get a Standing Ovation at Patient Day 2018 at Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine, California?

By Adam Pick on September 17, 2018 - This blog is sponsored by Edwards Lifesciences.

Something special recently happened.  More than 100 patients and their care partners traveled to Edwards Lifesciences, a leading heart valve manufacturer in Irvine, California, to meet each other, to share their stories and to inspire action within our community – the heart valve patient community.

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Special Guest Post: 5 Steps To Prepare for Heart Surgery by Peggy Huddleston

By Adam Pick on July 19, 2018

For years, I’ve heard about the fantastic, mind-body techniques of Peggy Huddleston.  Many patients in our community, like Gina Fiorentino, have raved to me about the benefits of Peggy’s book, “Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster”.   In addition, several cardiac centers – including Brigham & Women’s Hospital and NYU Langone Medical Center – recommend Peggy’s CD and MP3 to patients.

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Julie’s Smiling Scar Selfie Goes Viral!

By Adam Pick on May 24, 2018

Thanks to Julie…  I’m having another “Holy Moly” moment.

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My Cardiologist Was Absolutely Wrong!!!

By Adam Pick on March 21, 2018

Yikes!  Ugh!  Gasp!  Ready to learn why patient education and patient advocacy is so important for patients with heart valve disease?

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Would Alan Play Hockey Again After Heart Surgery?

By Adam Pick on March 21, 2018

His passion was hockey.  His diagnosis was severe heart valve disease.  His fear… Never playing hockey again.

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John’s Photos Go Viral With 5,300 Facebook Likes!

By Adam Pick on October 24, 2017

The power of our patient community never ceases to amaze me. You guys and gals are simply amazing!!!

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Barry’s Patient Advice: Find The Best Heart Surgeon for You!

By Adam Pick on October 1, 2017

I have to congratulate Barry for being his own… best… patient advocate.

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What Happened When 60 Patients & Caregivers Met for “Patient Day 2017” at Edwards Lifesciences?

By Adam Pick on June 7, 2017

Something special recently happened. More than 60 patients and their care partners traveled to Edwards Lifesciences, a leading heart valve manufacturer in Irvine, California, to meet each other, to share their stories and to inspire action within our community – the heart valve patient community.

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Jimmy Kimmel Opens Up About His Newborn Son’s Heart Valve Surgery

By Adam Pick on May 4, 2017

As a dad… As a heart valve patient… I need to say “Thank You!” to Jimmy Kimmel for sharing this emotional and inspirational story about Billy, his newborn son.

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A First… We’re On Boomer TV! Thanks Steve!

By Adam Pick on March 30, 2017

This is completely unexpected and amazing! Our website was just mentioned in an interview with Steve Nicklin, a heart valve patient from Washington DC, who had successful surgery with Dr. Marc Gerdisch in Indiana. (So you know, Dr. Gerdisch has treated many patients from our community.)

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At the Marathon Finish Line, Phil Held This Up!

By Adam Pick on December 9, 2016

A BIG question patients ask me prior to heart valve surgery is, “Will I be able to do the things I love after surgery?”

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What Happened When 100 Patients & Caregivers Met for “Patient Day 2016” at Edwards Lifesciences?

By Adam Pick on August 25, 2016

Something special recently happened. More than 100 patients and their care partners traveled to Edwards Lifesciences, a leading heart valve manufacturer in Irvine, California, to meet each other, to share their stories and to inspire action within our community – the heart valve patient community.

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Leilani is a Heart Warrior Princess!

By Adam Pick on May 24, 2016

How would you react if you learned that your unborn child was suffering from a life-threatening disease known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome? What would you do? Who would you turn to?

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