{"id":31236,"date":"2020-02-27T08:09:50","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T13:09:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/?p=31236"},"modified":"2020-02-27T13:33:06","modified_gmt":"2020-02-27T18:33:06","slug":"reunion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2020\/02\/27\/reunion\/","title":{"rendered":"10-Year Heart Surgery Anniversary Reunion in Florida!"},"content":{"rendered":"

My heart warms anytime the patients in our community connect in person.\u00a0 I love seeing their smiling faces.\u00a0 I love seeing their hugs.\u00a0 I love knowing that their friendships continue into the future as their valve disease fades to the past.<\/p>\n

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For example\u2026 After meeting at the HeartValveSurgery.com Community<\/a> in 2010, Richard, Susan, Pete, Cheryl, Peter, Peggy and Duane just reunited in Winter Haven, Florida to celebrate their 10th anniversaries after heart valve surgery.\u00a0 As you can see below in a photo from their 2012 reunion, this isn\u2019t their first Spring Break reunion in Florida.<\/p>\n

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Fran, Duane, Peter, Peggy, Susan, Richard, Peter, Cheryl (2012)<\/p>\n

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As I look at these pictures, I smile from ear-to-ear.<\/p>\n

I cannot believe that these amazing people have turned my crazy, Internet ideas and dreams into reality.\u00a0 They met online.\u00a0 \u00a0They supported each other in a difficult time of need.\u00a0 They cared for each other.\u00a0 They were inspired to meet, meet again and meet again.\u00a0 Can it get much better?<\/p>\n

Richard, Susan, Pete, Cheryl, Peter, Peggy and Duane are a special testament to the human spirit, the concept of community and the power of love.<\/p>\n

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Fran Is Smiling Down!<\/h2>\n

I can only imagine that this reunion has been different (and perhaps tough) without Fran<\/a>.\u00a0 As you might recall, Fran passed away in 2018.\u00a0 Fran joined us in 2010 as she prepared for aortic valve replacement due to aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation.<\/p>\n

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Fran & Peter Zilko<\/p>\n

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Fran’s willingness to share her story and help others was boundary-less. I was \u201cwow\u2019ed\u201d by the strong bonds that Fran formed with other patients. Seeing her posts inspired me to continue building our community.<\/p>\n

I know Fran was at the reunion in spirit.\u00a0 I know she was looking down from Heaven.\u00a0 And, I know she was smiling, like me, from ear-to-ear.<\/p>\n

Many thanks to Richard, Susan, Pete, Cheryl, Peter, Fran, Peggy, and Duane for being a part of our community and sharing their reunions with us!!!\u00a0 Congrats on your 10-year heart valve anniversaries!!!!<\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/p>\n