Patient Stories Blog - Page 5
By Adam Pick
Guest Blog: 25 Tips To Prepare Women For Heart Surgery
By Adam Pick on March 27, 2014
Every so often, I receive a patient email that makes me think, “Holy Moly! I need to share this with our community!”
Thanks to Jessie and Max, JoyJars Bring Smiles to Children with Cancer and Heart Disease
By Adam Pick on January 18, 2014
We all encounter challenges in life. Some are small. Some are big. And, some are devastating. How we respond to those challenges is up to us. We have a choice. Some of us retreat. Others rise above.
Special Patient Update: Little AJ’s Wish Comes True
By Adam Pick on December 18, 2013
In 41 years of life, I had never experienced a wish-granting ceremony by Make-A-Wish.
Brian’s Guest Post: Life Beyond Heart Valve Surgery, Pulling Together a Running Team
By Adam Pick on November 21, 2013
When I joined Heart Valve Journals in September of 2012, I had really one thing in mind, “Could I continue running til surgery and after surgery would I be back to where I was at?” In June, I was told that I needed to have surgery but decided not to fully believe that since I had no symptoms that I could see and was running 20-30 miles a week, completed a half marathon just months before and was planning a full marathon in November.
Medical Mission Update: In The Dominican Republic, Four Patients Get A “Second Chance” At Life
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: November 8, 2013
I recently traveled from Los Angeles to the Dominican Republic for a medical mission to treat patients with heart valve disease. Since I had never been on a mission, I didn’t know what to expect. After the mission, I can share that this five-day event altered my perception of human kindness. I was touched, moved and inspired by the patients, their families, the nurses and the doctors who came together for this extraordinary mission.
John Fox, Denver Broncos Head Coach, Scheduled for Aortic Valve Replacement
By Adam Pick on November 3, 2013
Since launching this website in 2006, I have followed the heart valve procedures of many public figures including Robin Williams, Barbara Walters, Ed Koch, and Barbara Bush.
“Can a Physically Demanding Job Cause an Early Onset of Heart Valve Disease?” Asks Jerry
By Adam Pick on October 1, 2013
I just received an interesting question from Jerry. In his email, Jerry writes, “Adam, I’m 53 and a recent mitral valve repair and aortic valve replacement patient. My question is… Can a physically demanding profession – like wildland firefighting — contribute to, cause an early onset, or accelerate the development of valve disease in a previously healthy person?”
After Traveling from Louisville to Los Angeles… After A Valve Sparing Procedure by Dr. Starnes… Nathan and I Connect
By Adam Pick on August 23, 2013
Several weeks ago, I was fortunate to meet Nathan Higginbotham — a patient from Louisville, Kentucky who was diagnosed with aortic stenosis and an aortic aneurysm. During our phone call, I quickly sensed that Nathan had done his homework. He was asking all the right questions about his upcoming procedure.
My Thoughts & Prayers Are With Natalie!
By Adam Pick on June 27, 2013
There is nothing better than hearing from the patients and caregivers within our community.
Theresa Reaches Another Milestone In Her Recovery From Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery
By Adam Pick on May 31, 2013
As you might remember, Theresa LoMonaco shared a recovery update with us last July. Well, it’s ten months later, and Theresa has good news to share. Here is what she writes to me:
Joann Just Made My Day… My Year!
By Adam Pick on May 17, 2013
I really appreciate hearing from the patients and caregivers in our community. Your emails and your phone calls are beyond heart warming (pun intended). That said, I just received an update from Joann Heindorf, a 78-year old patient from Florida, that was simply… extraordinary.
Lil’ Victor Readies For 3rd Heart Surgery
By Adam Pick on April 28, 2013
In 2010, we donated $5,000 to the Gift of Life to help pay for the cardiac surgery of Victor Saravia, an incredibly cute, one-year old boy from El Salvador. The procedure — that was performed by Dr. John Morales at Driscoll Hospital at Corpus Cristi, Texas — was a success and Victor went home to his family.
Another Spring Break… Another Heart Valve Journals Reunion in Florida
By Adam Pick on April 19, 2013
This is just great.
Medical Mission Update #4: Ramona & Junior Get A “Second Chance” At Life In The Dominican Republic
By Adam Pick on March 22, 2013
The joy I experienced on Day One of the Medical Mission amplified on the second day — as two patients, with severely leaking heart valves, underwent mitral valve repair surgery in the Dominican Republic.
After Giving Birth to Olivia, Sara Readies for Aortic Valve Replacement and Aorta Repair Surgery
By Adam Pick on March 10, 2013
Over the years, I have been very fortunate to know Sara Bloomfield. I first shared Sara’s story in 2011 — after Sara and her husband, Matt, became pregnant while closely monitoring her bicuspid aortic valve, dilated aorta and coarctation of the descending aorta. Then, in 2012, we celebrated the birth of their daughter, Olivia.
Robert, The Elk Hunter, Celebrates 5th Anniversary After Surgery!
By Adam Pick on February 23, 2013
I just received another patient success story. In this update, Robert Green, celebrates his 5th anniversary after a re-implantation of his aortic valve and aortic root replacement. (The procedure is also known as a valve-sparing operation or a David Procedure.)
Yep! That’s Mitch Running A Half-Marathon After Aortic Valve Replacement!
By Adam Pick on February 2, 2013
Since launching this website 6 years ago, Mitch Friedman has stood out as an extraordinary members of patient and caregiver community. As many of you know, Mitch has provided both on-line and off-line support to many, many, many patients searching for answers and guidance about heart valve surgery.
Angie Feels 15 Younger After Mitral Valve Repair Thanks To Dr. Gerdisch
By Adam Pick on January 24, 2013
The patient success stories and surgeon testimonials continue to roll in. This time, Angie Gregory sent me a fantastic update following her mitral valve repair surgery.
Three Years After Mitral Valve Repair, Patricia Considers Her Surgery A Blessing
By Adam Pick on January 15, 2013
I just received a great, 3-year anniversary update from Patricia Shabel of Los Angeles, California. Patricia had a mitral valve repair operation after being diagnosed with a heart murmur and a leaky valve over 40 years ago.
48 Hours After Heart Valve Surgery, Eric Proposes To Justine At The Cleveland Clinic!
By Adam Pick on December 20, 2012
Since launching this website 6 years ago, the patients within our community have touched, moved and inspired me with their extraordinary stories.
