Patient Stories Blog – Page 5

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

I've witnessed it first hand...

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

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

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.

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.

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.)

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

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.

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?

The pictures show Fran's transformation...

Jesse had been put on immediate bed rest. Jesse had not one... But, two heart surgeries. Then, he needed a third. Jesse learned of a new technology known as a "Valve-in-Valve" procedure that was in clinical trials. This is his story.

Imagine your childhood dream of becoming a professional basketball player has come true. Imagine you are leading the NBA in 3-point shooting. Imagine you are in the prime of your career. Then... Imagine you are unexpectedly diagnosed with a life-threatening aortic aneurysm due to a bicuspid aortic valve.

At Edwards Lifesciences Patient Day 2015, Stewart Gully can't hold back tears of joy, thankfulness and appreciation.

A man. A bicuspid aortic valve. A heart valve surgery. A mountain of inspiration.

When I started this website nine years ago, I had a dream. My dream was that someday heart valve patients would connect in real-time to share their experiences as a community.

We're excited to wrap up our first "Patient Success Week" with a story of hope!

After the unfortunate loss of her dad to a heart attack, Sophie Marsh decided it was time to see a cardiologist for a heart disease screening. The test results surprised Sophie, Geoff, her husband, and their two daughters.

I'll admit it. I love our online patient Community. I love seeing patients inspire each other. I love seeing patients educate each other. And, I loooooooooove when patients use the community in ways that I never imagined.

A cardiac arrest. A medical coma. A mitral valve prolapse. An enlarged heart.