Patient Stories Blog - Page 7
By Adam Pick
Shelly Celebrates Her First Anniversary After Mitral Valve Repair!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: February 28, 2025
I’ve said it before and, hopefully, I will be saying it again…. I love hearing from the patients in our community after their surgeries!
Jeff Travels Over 2,000 Miles For A Mitral Valve Repair Guarantee
By Adam Pick on September 17, 2012
Hearing from you — the patients and caregivers of our community — continues to be my favorite part of running this website. That said, I just received a great patient success story from Jeff Adams of Seattle, Washington.
“Happy Anniversary!” To Robert Following Bicuspid Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery
By Adam Pick on August 9, 2012
I wanted to extend a big “Happy Anniversary!” to Robert Anderson from Groton, Massachusetts. As you can read in his note below, Robert had a congenital bicuspid aortic valve that needed to be replaced. Here is more from Robert about his journey and his celebration:
Patient Update: 5 Years After Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery, Jim Is ‘Not Putting Things Off’
By Adam Pick on August 3, 2012
My inbox continues to receive success stories from patients all over the world — especially after Theresa’s recent post.
Denise and Connie, Heart Valve Journals Sisters, Connect At Cleveland Clinic
By Adam Pick on July 20, 2012
First, it was Jim and Jeff at Mount Sinai. Then, it was Cheryl and the Florida Valve Reunion. Next, it was Tom and Trent at The Heart Hospital. This time, it’s Denise and Connie at the Cleveland Clinic.
Guest Blog: Deb Offers A Spouse’s Perspective On Heart Valve Surgery
By Adam Pick on June 29, 2012
In addition to talking with patients, I’m often afforded the privilege of speaking with their caregivers. Over the past several months, I’ve been trading emails and chatting on the phone with Deb. Her husband, Fred, was recently diagnosed with a severely leaking mitral valve.
Tom & Trent Connect at The Heart Hospital After Mitral Valve Repair, Maze Procedure and Seroma
By Adam Pick on June 26, 2012
It continues to amaze me how Heart Valve Journals is connecting patients online and offline.
Kato Celebrates Her 95th Birthday, Thanks To The MitraClip
By Adam Pick on June 23, 2012
Over the years, I have been fortunate to meet several extraordinary patients. One such patient is Kato Pomer from Los Angeles, California.
Little Darth Vader, Max Page, Recovering From Pulmonary Valve Replacement Surgery
By Adam Pick on June 22, 2012
I just learned that Max Page, the 7-year old actor who played ‘Little Darth Vader’ in a viral Volkswagen commercial, is recovering from pulmonary heart valve replacement surgery.
Are You Ready To Be Inspired?
By Adam Pick on June 4, 2012
There are no words for what you are about to see… For what is about to occur…
Community Question: “When Will The ‘Voice of Doubt’ Go Away?” Asks Stephanie
By Adam Pick on May 23, 2012
Earlier today, I spent some time at Heart Valve Journals, our online community. While there, I read an interesting question posted by Stephanie Cole, who had mitral valve replacement surgery on March 16, 2012.
Enhanced Website Feature: Your Patient Success Stories!
By Adam Pick on May 21, 2012
Over the years, I’ve received hundreds of success stories from patients and caregivers within our community.
Meet Karen Campo, Our “Featured Patient” at Heart Valve Journals
By Adam Pick on May 19, 2012
Hi everybody,
In Memory of Cindy Pastrano, Wife and Mother
By Adam Pick on May 18, 2012
I am very, very, very sad to report that Cindy Pastrano, a fellow patient from San Antonio, Texas, recently passed away.
In Florida, Heart Valve Surgery Buddies Gather To Celebrate Life
By Adam Pick on March 21, 2012
The stories coming out of Heart Valve Journals have touched, moved and inspired me.
With A “Top 10 Heart Song List” and Jeff Shebovsky By His Side, Jim Readies For His 2nd Mitral Valve Repair
By Adam Pick on March 12, 2012
There is not a day that goes by in which I am not inspired by you – the patients and caregivers of this community.
In Memory of Kelly
By Adam Pick on March 2, 2012
When starting a post like this, I don’t really know what to say… Or, how to say it.
Nancy, Jeff and Mitch Inspire Each Other With A “Thumbs Up” Before, During & After Heart Valve Surgery!
By Adam Pick on February 7, 2012
When I created Heart Valve Journals, I didn’t know if anyone would actually use it. Now, a few years later, I am amazed at how patients and caregivers are using this social network to support each other through heart valve surgery.
Today, My Thoughts Are With Kelly & Mitch
By Adam Pick on February 2, 2012
Over the past few months, many patients and caregivers in our community have been fortunate to meet Kelly Nugent and Mitch Friedman at Heart Valve Journals, our social network.
Upcoming Surgeries
Rupak Javkar
Mitral Regurgitation
May 21, 2025
Lorilyn Bridges
Tricuspid Regurgitation
May 22, 2025
Craig Howland
Aortic Stenosis
May 26, 2025
Adam's Video Library
Learn about heart valve surgery and patient success stories at Adam’s video library.
