Patient Pictures of Melinda Hacker

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3616 days ago

susan kotansky, Liz Burroughs, Elaine Cutri and 7 others reacted to this

Well, here I am one year later. Bovine valve ticking along. I'm happy to answer any questions for those of you with surgery in the future.

Tammy Pilcher Beautiful!

W. Carter I'll second that. :-)

Mindy Currence What made you choose Bovine over mechanical? Just curious...:)

Kelly Weisgarber So pretty.

Melinda Hacker Mindy currence I just saw your question. I chose bovine for my lifestyle. I didn't want to be on Cou ... Read more

Melinda Hacker Mindy currence I just saw your question. I chose bovine for my lifestyle. I didn't want to be on Coumadin nor did I want to hear the ticking of a mechanical valve. I'm ok with another surgery years down the road. I have no regrets at all about going with a tissue valve. Best wishes to you on your upcoming surgery. My journal tells about my experience if you're interested. I'm happy to answer any other questions.

Christine Pittelli Melinda, great news. You look great and healthy and am so glad you are doing so well. It does not ... Read more

Christine Pittelli Melinda, great news. You look great and healthy and am so glad you are doing so well. It does not get any better then that!

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3979 days ago

Ruth Valenzuela, Linda Crawford reacted to this

Melinda Hacker For anyone who doesn't know what an incentive spirometer is, here's a picture. After surgery you hav ... Read more

Melinda Hacker For anyone who doesn't know what an incentive spirometer is, here's a picture. After surgery you have to use this by pulling air into your lungs. One of my nurses called it the anti-pneumonia machine.

Tammy Pilcher Hey Melinda, it's so good to hear from you! I'll be leaving for Orlando on Sunday to meet with Dr. A ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Hey Melinda, it's so good to hear from you! I'll be leaving for Orlando on Sunday to meet with Dr. Accola Monday. I hope everything is going great for you. I will be so glad to have my surgery over with too. Any advice or information will be very appreciated! Thanks, Tammy

Did it hurt to use this ?

Terrie Syvertsen Melinda. When I glanced at your photo I instinctively put my fingers up and made the sign of the cros ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Melinda. When I glanced at your photo I instinctively put my fingers up and made the sign of the cross Sorry, too near Halloween and I had dreams of this little machine for weeks after I returned home! My surgeon had given me one to practice on when we met at the pre-op and practice I did. Seriously, this was a great way to introduce the machine and it's important use as a tool to prevent problems within our lungs. Great colorful backdrop too!. The importance of using this can't be mentioned enough and your photo shows up clearly taking out the guesswork. Good job! Have a great recovery.

Adam Pick I've never seen an Incentive Spirometer look so photogenic. Love the seasonal fall flowers in the bac ... Read more

Adam Pick I've never seen an Incentive Spirometer look so photogenic. Love the seasonal fall flowers in the background. Nice shot Melinda! :)

Melinda Hacker Yes, it does hurt a bit to use this after surgery. It's well worth it to hear the nurses and doctors ... Read more

Melinda Hacker Yes, it does hurt a bit to use this after surgery. It's well worth it to hear the nurses and doctors listen to your lungs and watch the daily chest X-rays improve.

Eleanor R Oh, yes, it hurts and I couldn't do too much. Like Terrie, my surgeon's office gave to me beforehand ... Read more

Eleanor R Oh, yes, it hurts and I couldn't do too much. Like Terrie, my surgeon's office gave to me beforehand, so I could see what was "normal" pre-surgery. Wasn't so great then, either, but it didn't hurt. After surgery, like sneezing and coughing, it moves muscles that would rather not be moved, so it is not my favorite thing, but it really does help prevent pneumonia, so I faithfully picked it up each hour during the first two weeks at home and worked with it. Once you start walking longer distances, your lungs do their job better, but in the meantime this little device is a lifesafer. Eleanor

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3987 days ago

Adam Pick, Joan Napier, Ellen K and 3 others reacted to this

Melinda Hacker This is me and my son this morning, 5 days before surgery. I got to go to his school and read to his ... Read more

Melinda Hacker This is me and my son this morning, 5 days before surgery. I got to go to his school and read to his PreK class. His class is working on the letter L so I took them an L snack - Lemon Oreos.

Joan Napier How cute! (And you look great!)

Adam Pick So, so cute. Thanks for sharing this picture Melinda -- which I can completely relate to. Fyi, I just ... Read more

Adam Pick So, so cute. Thanks for sharing this picture Melinda -- which I can completely relate to. Fyi, I just read "Hailey's Halloween" to Ethan's class when I volunteered at his school the other day. Ethan is 5 and just started Kindergarten. It was sooooo much fun. :)

Melinda Hacker Adam it has been some time ago but you may remember my post announcing my pregnancy on this website. ... Read more

Melinda Hacker Adam it has been some time ago but you may remember my post announcing my pregnancy on this website.

Adam Pick Melinda, Thanks for triggering a definitive OMG moment. I do remember!!!!

http://www.heart-valve-sur ... Read more

Adam Pick Melinda, Thanks for triggering a definitive OMG moment. I do remember!!!!

http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/07/31/getting-pregnant-before-valve-replacement/

:)

AMAZING!!!

Melinda Hacker Adam, 4 1/2 years later here I am posting about my surgery with Dr. Accola next week.

Tammy Pilcher Hi Melinda, He is so cute! I remember those days with my sons too. They are 24 and 21 now so it's b ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Hi Melinda, He is so cute! I remember those days with my sons too. They are 24 and 21 now so it's been awhile!

Charles Vlcek My only advice is stay calm do not let things get to you and you will be ok I have not been able to w ... Read more

Charles Vlcek My only advice is stay calm do not let things get to you and you will be ok I have not been able to work since the end of June for insurance reasons I had to wait until sept 23 to have surgery I am doing well now and mite go back to work nov 1 good luck and talk to you after your surgery

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3978 days ago

Adam Pick, Kenny Knox, Trudy Teague and 2 others reacted to this

Melinda Hacker Today is day 3! It has been a good day. Insulin and oxygen were removed. Tomorrow they say I get t ... Read more

Melinda Hacker Today is day 3! It has been a good day. Insulin and oxygen were removed. Tomorrow they say I get to go home.

I got a surprise visit from my niece from St. Louis. She flew in to check on me! That's her with me in my room. It was such a surprise I just about lostY breath! Can't wait to get home!

Terrie Syvertsen My God Ms. Melinda! You look beautiful and your smile lights up your Niece's beauty as well! I am ha ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen My God Ms. Melinda! You look beautiful and your smile lights up your Niece's beauty as well! I am happy for you to be returning home and wish you a gentle healing time. Take care.

Eleanor R What a great photo, you both look so happy, and you look so strong for just day 3, amazing. Hope you ... Read more

Eleanor R What a great photo, you both look so happy, and you look so strong for just day 3, amazing. Hope you get to go home soon, that is the best thing ever! Eleanor

Tammy Pilcher Melinda, oh my goodness! You look wonderful!! I feel so much better about everything after reading ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Melinda, oh my goodness! You look wonderful!! I feel so much better about everything after reading your post and seeing your picture! Thank you for sharing!

Elaine Foster So great to see your smiling face. Continue on this road to recovery! God Bless you today

Joan Napier You look so great Melinda! I can only hope I look half as good post op! :)

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3978 days ago

Adam Pick, Ruth Valenzuela, April Smith and 2 others reacted to this

Packed up and ready to go with my support team!

Terrie Syvertsen Hi Ho, Hi Ho, IT'S OFF TO HOME YOU GO! You look wonderful. Wishing you a smooth road on recovering a ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Hi Ho, Hi Ho, IT'S OFF TO HOME YOU GO! You look wonderful. Wishing you a smooth road on recovering and healing prayers.

Tammy Pilcher Yay Melinda! I'm so happy for you!

Clare Auten So happy you made it home.. allow yourself time to recover. Our bodies are amazing.

Me two, so happy for you and you look great !

Elaine Foster Good for you!! You look great!! God bless you!

Joseph Ballett Keep up the good recovery

Joan Napier You look great Melinda! Wishing you all the best as you go through your recovery.

Trudy Teague Love it! Best feeling in the world!! I still have my heart pillow, too - it's identical to that one ... Read more

Trudy Teague Love it! Best feeling in the world!! I still have my heart pillow, too - it's identical to that one (except for the hospital name). I will probably keep it forever as a "souvenir". LOL

Trudy Teague PS- you are not supposed to look that good so soon after surgery!!! ;-)

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3975 days ago

Trudy Teague, Ruth Valenzuela, Pam Driggs and 2 others reacted to this

Love this🙏

Joan Napier Beautiful That is such a great for verse for all of us.

April Smith This is perfect. A day away from surgery this is just what I needed. Thanks for sharing.

Tammy Pilcher Love that Melinda! I'm adding it to a journal of scriptures I'm taking to the hospital.

Elaine Foster Thanks Melinda, a great reminder for everyone!

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3970 days ago

Adam Pick and 3 others reacted to this

After hearing from some of you wanting to see how my incision looks, here it is. This is 12 days post op. I think it's healing nicely😊

Joseph Ballett it is healing good the doc did a nice job

Nancy D once completely healed you won't even see it.....good job they did!

Joaquim Cimoes Dear Melinda very nice.

Elaine Foster So glad you are doing so well. Healing very nicely.

Adam Pick Whoa! That is half the size of my scar. Looks great Melinda!

Ericka Carlson Wow, that's nothing, I'm new here so I don't know much but in my head it would have been so much wors ... Read more

Ericka Carlson Wow, that's nothing, I'm new here so I don't know much but in my head it would have been so much worse. Very nice!

Joan Napier Looks great Melinda! Wish I could have one like that :) !

Kathleen McClung Looks great! Thanks for sharing.

Daniel Spurgeon That is a small scar, mine is nine inches. Of course my surgeon had to replace a portion of my aorta ... Read more

Daniel Spurgeon That is a small scar, mine is nine inches. Of course my surgeon had to replace a portion of my aorta, so I am all in favor of my long scar if it gave him more room to work. And I am not bothered by the concept of a scar anyway.

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3966 days ago

Adam Pick, Cheryl Batzing, Elaine Foster and 2 others reacted to this

My 15-day post op selfie. Each day is a little bit better.

Adam Pick Great Smile! Great looking scar! Great selfie! Put it all together... And you have... Another inspira ... Read more

Adam Pick Great Smile! Great looking scar! Great selfie! Put it all together... And you have... Another inspirational Smiling Scar Selfie! :)

Joan Napier You look great Melinda!

Melinda Hacker Joan, Your big day is coming up soon. You're going to do just fine! Stay positive!

Elaine Foster Beautiful! Our Father God is so good! You are an inspiration!

Elaine Foster Did your surgeon give you any time frame in which he felt your valve would last?

WOW! I can hardly see the scar. You look great.

Melinda Hacker Elaine, he said anywhere from 15-20 years. He added that because over time the valves being manufact ... Read more

Melinda Hacker Elaine, he said anywhere from 15-20 years. He added that because over time the valves being manufactured (tissue) today have improved so much, that statistics show that any problems that arise are being pushed out further. He said there's the possibility that it could last longer due to the better quality of the valves today. Mine is an Edwards Life Sciences valve, if you want to research it. I completely understand what a difficult decision it is for you. I'm a true believer in following your gut.

Kathleen McClung You look beautiful and such an inspiration!

Melinda Hacker Thanks to all!

Clare Auten Looks great. I think your scar looks better than mine and I am 10 months out. I also am jealous becau ... Read more

Clare Auten Looks great. I think your scar looks better than mine and I am 10 months out. I also am jealous because mine starts much higher. Good thing I am not scared to let people see it.

Tammy Pilcher Wow Melinda, that looks almost gone!

Trudy Teague Holy cow- I can barely see your scar!!!!

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3959 days ago

Joan Napier, Kathryn Waymire, Rafael Martinez and 1 other reacted to this

Oh, what a sweet day! It has been 3 weeks and 1 day since I got my bovine valve. I went for the most awesome walk along the bay here in Tampa.

Tammy Pilcher Beautiful Melinda!

Melinda Hacker Thanks Tammy. I hope you are doing well.

Tammy Pilcher I am doing well. I wish you lived closer, we could be walking buddies.

Victoria Lopez Great picture! You look radiant!

Joseph Ballett Awesome pic looks so nice there, must be the person in the pic making the back ground look so good . ... Read more

Joseph Ballett Awesome pic looks so nice there, must be the person in the pic making the back ground look so good .

Eleanor R What a beautiful clear day, and a healthy and happy you providing radiance. I'm happy for you!

Ken Obermeyer Wow Melinda; you look great and so vibrant. I'm inspired!

Meredith Bray Nice!

David Augustus Great picture as it is inspiring to see fellow OHS members rebound and enjoying, life. It always pu ... Read more

David Augustus Great picture as it is inspiring to see fellow OHS members rebound and enjoying, life. It always puts a big smile on the face!

Dan Sinclair Love walks on the water around Tampabay!

Jim Hernandez Congratulations! !!

Shanna Farley-Judkins Looks like fun! Glad to see you are covering well!

Trudy Teague Awesome- you look great! So great to have you back at work, too!!!

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3951 days ago

Debbie Mullin, Cristen Marzula and 4 others reacted to this

Today is one month with my new valve❤️. This morning I went to my son's school for his Thanksgiving celebration. Boy, do I have a lot to be thankful for!! ...Read more

Today is one month with my new valve❤️. This morning I went to my son's school for his Thanksgiving celebration. Boy, do I have a lot to be thankful for!!

Tammi Gunwall Great picture!

Joaquim Cimoes Melinda you are very beautiful and happy.

Melinda Hacker Thank you Tammi and Renata!

Ken Obermeyer Awesome sight!

Tammy Pilcher Best of times!

Trudy Teague Wow- that's a great picture! You look fantastic- are you sure you had surgery a month ago?!? My one ... Read more

Trudy Teague Wow- that's a great picture! You look fantastic- are you sure you had surgery a month ago?!? My one year anniversary was Saturday- I had almost forgotten about it until someone posted on Facebook. :-) It flies by once you are on the other side!

Elaine Foster Rejoicing with you, what a great smile! So happy for your good recovery.

Wonderful picture! You look great and glad to hear you are doing so well. :)

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3938 days ago

Adam Pick, Joan Napier, Pam Driggs and 2 others reacted to this

Hello my heart friends! Me and my cow valve just went for a long walk. I'm 6 weeks and 2 days post op today. You can see here, I'm wearing a big heart shirt. ...Read more

Hello my heart friends! Me and my cow valve just went for a long walk. I'm 6 weeks and 2 days post op today. You can see here, I'm wearing a big heart shirt. I found this while out Christmas shopping so I bought myself a present😍

Tammy Pilcher You look great, Melinda! I love your shirt!

Joan Napier You look wonderful, Melinda! Certainly not like you had OHS 6 weeks ago. Inspiring :)

Adam Pick Really? Are you sure you had heart surgery? Seriously? :)

Melinda Hacker Well, I must say, at this point I don't feel like a heart patient anymore. I know I am and always wi ... Read more

Melinda Hacker Well, I must say, at this point I don't feel like a heart patient anymore. I know I am and always will be, but I feel SO great now. Does everyone go to cardiac rehab? I have not gone but am considering it just so I can find out how far I can push myself and still be safe.

Tammi Gunwall Great photo!

Joseph Ballett You are the Picture of life keep smiling!

Elaine Foster Awesome, love that smile!! So happy for you. Love that backdrop too, you are so lucky to live where ... Read more

Elaine Foster Awesome, love that smile!! So happy for you. Love that backdrop too, you are so lucky to live where you can walk outside in short sleeves in DEC!

Joan Napier Melinda, I'm starting cardiac rehab next week (will be 4 weeks post-op) Cardiologist said it will be ... Read more

Joan Napier Melinda, I'm starting cardiac rehab next week (will be 4 weeks post-op) Cardiologist said it will be 3x week for 12 weeks. Looking forward to it, but hoping I feel a little bit better next week than I do right now….

Melinda Hacker Elaine, yes very fortunate to live in paradise. Today's high was 79. The downside is that the summe ... Read more

Melinda Hacker Elaine, yes very fortunate to live in paradise. Today's high was 79. The downside is that the summers are extremely hot and humid. Those are the days I'll walk on a treadmill indoors.

Jim Hernandez ♡

Nancy D Love the shirt, and your smile and your progress! I have 2 cardiac rehab sessions left, and I think ... Read more

Nancy D Love the shirt, and your smile and your progress! I have 2 cardiac rehab sessions left, and I think it was key to my recovery. Knowing I was monitored as I increased the time or intensity of the work out was certainly relieving of any worry that I might be overdoing and hurt my heart. I now walk 2 brisk miles on the days off from rehab, and know I am safely working the heart, and do not even think about being worried. It not only provided me peace of mind, but incentive to do more each week. I recommend it.

Cheryl Batzing Congrats Melinda--you look awesome! True encouragement of where I might be in 8 weeks...6 weeks post ... Read more

Cheryl Batzing Congrats Melinda--you look awesome! True encouragement of where I might be in 8 weeks...6 weeks post op.

Melinda Hacker I go for a cardiac rehab evaluation next week. I will see what they say and go from there. In the m ... Read more

Melinda Hacker I go for a cardiac rehab evaluation next week. I will see what they say and go from there. In the meantime, I'll keep doing my walking.

Kathleen McClung You look fabulous and I love your shirt!

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3866 days ago

Melinda Hacker, John Noriega, Tammi Gunwall and 5 others reacted to this

Heart sisters meet❤️ Me and Tammy Pilcher. We had the same surgery by the same surgeon just 10 days apart on 10/21/14 and 10/31/14. Thank you Adam for ...Read more

Heart sisters meet❤️ Me and Tammy Pilcher. We had the same surgery by the same surgeon just 10 days apart on 10/21/14 and 10/31/14. Thank you Adam for bringing us together!

Lilly Black I have also had the privilege of sharing my experience with heart patients who have had surgery by my ... Read more

Lilly Black I have also had the privilege of sharing my experience with heart patients who have had surgery by my own surgeon as well. It is priceless!! I'm happy for you!

Tammi Gunwall Two beautiful ladies!!! How awesome to have the chance to meet!! Happiest of ♡ day's to both of you ... Read more

Tammi Gunwall Two beautiful ladies!!! How awesome to have the chance to meet!! Happiest of ♡ day's to both of you today!

Jim Kelly-Evans Beautiful photo! Congratulations to both of you on your recoveries! Happy Valentines Day to!❤

Adam Pick Seeing this picture of you two together made my day, my week, my month, my year!!! I am so happy that ... Read more

Adam Pick Seeing this picture of you two together made my day, my week, my month, my year!!! I am so happy that you two actually met -- and, are both doing so wonderful. Yay Tammy! Yay Melinda! Yay Dr. Accola! https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Kevin-Accola-Orlando-Florida.php

Dr. Kevin Accola - Heart Surgeon in Orlando, Florida

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Kevin-Accola-Orlando-Florida.php

See patient reviews, physician biography and videos of Dr. Kevin Accola, heart surgeon, with phone number and address in Orlando, Florida.

Tammy Pilcher Thanks Melinda for posting our picture! Getting to meet you and your precious little Alex and having ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Thanks Melinda for posting our picture! Getting to meet you and your precious little Alex and having such a great visit meant so much to me! I'm looking forward to us getting together again with our families! Thanks Lilly, Tammi, Jim, and Adam! I hope you all had a Happy Heart Day!

Joan Napier How wonderful that you got to meet each other, Tammy and Melinda! Two lovely and inspiring heart sist ... Read more

Joan Napier How wonderful that you got to meet each other, Tammy and Melinda! Two lovely and inspiring heart sisters! :) Blessings to both of you.

Bob M Outstanding! That is one thing I missed during my stay in the hospital...signatures from my doctors a ... Read more

Bob M Outstanding! That is one thing I missed during my stay in the hospital...signatures from my doctors and nurses and friends and family on my heart pillow. Next round via valve in valve.

Tammy Pilcher Thanks Joan and Bob! Happy Heart Day!

That is so great. Happy for the both of you. What a special friendship.

Tammy Pilcher Thanks Christine!

Melinda Hackerposted a photo

3796 days ago

Adam Pick, Kenneth Cole, Ericka Carlson and 2 others reacted to this

I'm 45 and had AVR surgery 6 months ago at Florida Hospital by the fabulous Dr. Kevin Accola. This morning I ran a 5k on the runway at Tampa International ...Read more

I'm 45 and had AVR surgery 6 months ago at Florida Hospital by the fabulous Dr. Kevin Accola. This morning I ran a 5k on the runway at Tampa International Airport. Me and my cow ️valve did great!

Adam Pick Awesome Melinda!!!! Congratulations!!!

Tammy Pilcher Wow Melinda! That is so great! Way to go girl!!

Kenneth Cole Great comeback.

Kathleen McClung Fantastic!

Clare Auten Way to go!

Elaine Foster Great Melinda! Proud of you and your Bovine valve!

Tom Fitzmorris Hi Melinda. I have that same darned inspirometer (I am 12 days post). I do love your photo from Phili ... Read more

Tom Fitzmorris Hi Melinda. I have that same darned inspirometer (I am 12 days post). I do love your photo from Philippians: that is a great and comforting verse.
Myself I hope to be surfing in Santa Cruz six months after my AVR. You are an inspiration!
Tom

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