Cherie's Photos

I first met Dr. Chikwe and Nurse Vivian through a video call appointment around September 2025. Background of my medical history was I had my first open heart surgery in November 2012 for an aortic valve replacement (bovine tissue) and was informed by the surgeon that I will be needing another surgery within 10-15 years. Prior to meeting with Dr. Chikwe I had another appointment with another surgeon from another state and after reviewing my medical case he suggested a Ross procedure, but things didn't quite work out. There were a lot of delays (4 months) and I had many unanswered questions and didn't know what to do. I did lots of research and stumbled upon Adam Pick's heart story and how he started heartvalvesurgery.com and from this website is where I learned that getting a second opinion is valuable. It is also from this website where I discovered Dr. Joanna Chikwe. I read about her work, saw YouTube videos about what she does and questions people had and many patients recommending her. Coming from a small island in the pacific called Guam I had to work with the International Department of Cedars-Sinai; Donna and Polet were absolutely fantastic at what they do!! Through them I was able to get several appointments scheduled for the workup, images, etc. and a scheduled surgery date on October 29, 2025 and recommended some places to stay near the hospital. Upon meeting Dr. Chikwe in person, my husband and I were able to ask all the questions we had, concerns, etc. She was very reassuring, calm, made eye contact when speaking or when we asked something and didn't rush the appointment. She explained how the Ross procedure is going to go, the tube in your throat (the size of it and not to be frantic about it) and etc. Overall, I was reassured that I was in great hands! Nurse Vivian was fantastic too! She gave me her phone number and said if I had any other questions to not hesitate to call her. On the day of the surgery, Dr. Chikwe stopped by, checked on me and reassured my husband that all will be good, and someone will keep him posted. Six hours later I made it out of surgery. I was in CSICU for 5 days before moving to the lower unit and Dr. Chikwe visited on one of those days. She said the surgery went very well and the ross procedure was successful!!! Thank you Dr. Chikwe for taking me as your patient and to you & your team for doing my surgery. I truly am forever grateful!! To the CSICU nurses (Ivan, Stephanie, Michael, Tim, Andrew, and 2 more nurses that I've forgotten their names, but I remember your faces; Thank you for what you do. It takes special people like you to work in ICU.) It's been 8 months and I am doing well. I feel great and have no shortness of breath after walking up 3 flights of stairs and no chest pains. I've been back at work since mid-January of this year and making sure I do follow-up appointments with my cardiologist every 3 months. Also, I would like to thank Mr. Adam Pick!! Because of your story and starting this website many years ago, I was able to not be afraid and seek a second opinion, doing a lot of research and read many testimonies of people I was confident and found the surgeon I needed to get my surgery done. Thank you so very much!!!