Susan's Photos

Sue Maize  Beautiful!! I would love to connect with some of you in person down the road! Maybe we should plan a heartvalve warriors reunion!!! Or would that be union since we haven’t yet met?? 😆❤️🙏🏻

Deena Elani  The best!!! You made it happen!
What a good looking and hearting warming HVS crew. -family count in being in the "crew". They worry for us, pray for us, take of us, cheer us on and then again.

Ana Brusso  Oh my little Angel Susan Lynn, thank you for your kind words. Both my daughter and I felt the same way meeting you and your twin sister. We had a ball! And yes let’s seriously think about a reunion hopefully close to where our hvs brother Richard can drive to. I know it will be a reunion full of love and gratitude. Let’s do it!

Karen Hommel  That sounds fun! In cardiac rehab i want to hear everyone’s story. That’s what i love about this site, i want to hear your story. 

Rose Madura  Susan, happy anniversary to my classmate from 2017!  Time has sure flown by. I'm so thankful that you are doing well and celebrated with your sister.  May you have many more years of good health! ❤️‍🩹

Susan Lynn  Thank you, fellow classmate,  Rose! I also wish you continued good health!     Isn't it your birthday, tomorrow? 🥳🎂🎶❤

Susan Lynn  Thank you, everyone! Yes - That's my twin sister. We're fraternal twins, but we do look a bit alike.

Ana Brusso  Susan Lynn, my little Angel. How did I miss this gorgeous picture of you and your twin sister, I’ll never know. Happy, Happy 6th anniversary and many, many more. 🙏❤️🎉🎊God bless you 

Deena Elani  Well said, Susan. And awesome sculpture.  Showed it to my husband and he replied it would make a great tee shirt:)   

Hlengiwe Khumalo  Hello everyone, I am a chronic kidney failure patient who was diagnosed with Aortic stenosis early this year. The treating Cardiologist recommended open surgery to replace the valve. I am a female, 52 years of age. Any positive feedback about the heart valve replacement surgery. 

Susan Lynn  Hlengiwe - Sorry to read you have to deal with aortic stenosis and kidney failure. We have many success stories from aortic valve heart warriors on this site who will hopefully share their experiences. I would avoid any approaches that require CT scans with contrast dye (as most minimally-invasive) procedures do, as the dye could further impact your kidney function. Good luck with your research.

  Hey Susan Lynn...I posed for that long ago! Lol.

Seriously it is best to resist the negative thoughts...finding the humor in things works for me.

Klara Čičić  Wow Susan that is amazing. I can only wish for the same. Congratulations and I wish you a continuous good health. Keep on ticking!

Patsy Stewart  Seems like he would be saying…”A one and a two and a three and a four and a five!” Kind of let it roll off of your tongue. Lol!! Happy 5th ❤️Anniversary, Susan!!! ~xx

Klara Čičić  For most of the regular people here we feel that way, right? It's because we have such a huge, powerful and unique heart valve surgery experience connection.

Deena Elani  Congrats Susan! So glad all is going so well with you. You have given so much to all of us on HVS. I will never forget your encouragement the night before my surgery. My husband has passed-out on the hotel room bed in NYC. To calm my nerves and pass some time I got on Heart Valve Surgery.com. And there it was...a message from a heart warrior telling me I still had time to back out of the surgery, because minimally invasive was the way-to-go! And you came to my rescue. One of my fondest memories of my surgery.

Rose Madura  Happy Anniversary Susan.  I'm glad we have shared our journeys.  You are a great inspiration and encouragement to everyone.  God bless you and many more anniversaries to come!!!

Ana Brusso  2017 was a great year. Congratulations my little Angel, Susan Lynn, so proud of you. God bless you and keep you healthy many more anniversaries. Love ❤️ you very much 😇🤗❤️🙏🎉🎊🥳👍😍😘

Susan Lynn  Thank you all for your posts and kind words! It feels wonderful to celebrate this mini-milestone with all of you! That's the beauty of this website, no one really understands the significance of these anniversaries more than people who have also experienced heart surgery.

I am eternally grateful for all of the wonderful people I have had a chance to "know" on this site. I am still hoping to someday have the good fortune to meet you at an HVS event! Be well, dear heart warriors! We all have anniversaries to celebrate in 2023 and beyond!

Ana Brusso  I think that our HVS reunion event is going to have to be in the “Show me State” where Patsy lives, so let’s plan on that for next year, God’s willing. 👍🙏❤️

rich monoson  Susan Lynn the timing of this post is amazing. Just today I had a wave of gratitude envelop me when I thought about Adam and this site he has created. This site has brought such an overwhelming feeling of comfort and support from the community members to the information provided by the compassionate highlighted medical professionals that are interviewed by Adam. 

Facing heart surgery can be a frightening experience. After being diagnosed with a leaking aortic valve that needed surgery, I found this site. After joining, I met so many supportive people who have shared their respective experiences. It brought about so much comfort that on surgery day I was so mentally prepared and confident thanks to the HVS community.

I am also facing another surgery (Mitral Valve Prolapse-severe) and I reached out to Adam. Adam responded immediately and received my correspondence with empathy, compassion, warmth and kindness. Adam provided me a resource that has been so helpful. Adam has impacted thousands of our lives in such a positive way. He has alleviated so much mental duress by his creation of this magnificent resource for heart valve patient community members. Adam, we have such an appreciation and gratitude for the gift to mankind you have created. Susan Lynn, your post prompted this comment. Thank you! 

Susan Lynn  Rich - It's always great to hear from you. I also felt grateful for this community when I saw this quote - I had to share it.

Sorry you're facing another procedure - but, you have great options for experienced mv surgeons in southern California. Please reach out if you have any questions - that was my valve issue five years ago.

We'll be there to cheer you on!

  Susan Lynn you never cease to amaze me with your wisdom and support. Great post. Rich, you are so right on with this post. I also found this site just before my previous surgery and can’t thank God and Adam enough for it. I also reached out to him when I found out about my upcoming surgery and like you stated he responded right away with empathy, compassion and kindness. His videos provided me with the information I needed and chose the first surgeon he had an interview with for this site and it was about aneurysms, what gift. Just today I was talking to my daughter about you. I’m sorry you also have to get another procedure but I know you will choose the right surgeon and you will be just fine and as Susan Lynn said we will be here to cheer you on. God bless you 

rich monoson  Ana, thank you for this wonderful post and share the same feeling of gratitude. Adam, your creation has touched the lives of so many in a very impactful way. 

  Hey Rich, we raised our kid in the Valley, Tarzana and Encino. Lived there when the Sherman Oaks Mall was built and a plain crashed on it. Very familiar with the Valley. 

  Rich, no we had moved to the Westside by then but it was a monster and the 10 freeway was destroyed, very vivid memories. Richard, thank you for making me a little girl then lol

Susan Lynn  Ana and Rich - When you both have put your procedures behind you and airline travel calms down a bit, I think we need to have a lunch date in California! I feel like I know you, already!!

rich monoson  I would love that. Where are you located? I'm in Los Angeles (Sherman Oaks). There is a very strong feeling of us knowing each other. Thanks to Adam 

Susan Lynn  Rich - I live in Pennsylvania, but my twin sister lives in Newport Beach. I try to get out there for a few weeks every year. She's visiting me next month, so I'll probably be in California in the spring. I'll be sure to let you and Ana know when I'm coming to town.

Patsy Stewart  Thank you, Susan. I’ve never thought of it like that. No wonder worrying gets one so far down!! ~❤️

Kimberly Eisenhut  Ive done this my whole life, and would really like to be able to stop it. It may be from being a single mom most of my life. I see so many couples on here that have the support of the other and it's just so hard sometimes when you are alone. I certainly cannot confide in my children and worry them, so it just all gets bottled up, although I do cry a lot when my teenager is asleep. Have to let it out somehow I guess. These past couple years, the stress, anxiety and just sad state of our country now makes it quite a bit more difficult also. I pray every night that we can all find some peace ☮
Blessings and love to everyone

  Thank you Susan Lynn, great reminder. Kimberly, wishing you find peace of mind. Always remember that we have no control over anything. The state of our country seems pretty Grimm right now but I believe this too shall pass. Praying for you and your beautiful girls. God bless you 🙏❤️

Susan Lynn  Kimberly - I can only imagine the amount of worry you've experienced as a single parent and certainly, this advice is easier said than done.

There are many things, in heart surgery and in life, that are predictable and others that are complete surprises. I spent many years worrying, too. Now, I try to enjoy the present and do my best to focus on my life going as planned. Believe that you'll get through whatever is ahead, because you will. Remember - you can always rely on a little help from your (heart warrior) friends.

Rose Madura  Thanks Susan. The only new year's resolution that I ever kept (for the most part) is not to worry about things I cannot control. It was a life changer!

Kimberly Eisenhut  Thank you Susan and Ana for your kind words and thoughts. In my photo is my granddaughter to my left and my daughter to my right. My teenage son that is still with me was a "late in life" baby, surprise, blessing. Unfortunately my ex husband became quite the alcoholic and in order to save myself and my youngest son more hurt and heartache, I was forced to leave him. Its been 10 years and I still cannot believe this is how it all turned out. I try to stay positive, work hard and find the joy in life every day. My dream was to grow old with someone, share everything with, have that deep love and friendship that comes with age and just feel peace. I do dream about still finding that I guess, but also know I need to learn to be o.k. with the way things are now and embrace whatever comes with optimism and hope.
To everyone on this site, I truly thank you for helping me feel just a little less alone and know there are people out there who undersrtand.
You are all such an ispiration!

Susan Lynn  Adam - I don't know what we'd do without YOU, your book, and this site. Your commitment and dedication have made an enormous difference for heart warriors and caregivers, alike. We all went into our procedures a little more confident because you demystified the heart valve surgery process. You showed us, by sharing your own story, that we could get through it, too! Thank you! ❤

Tammy Pilcher  Happy Anniversary Adam! You have been a blessing for us! Thank you so much and I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

Amy lou Spangler  Thank you for creating this sight to help all of us with heart valve problems ! I'm new here and reading all these stories has helped so much and the informationon doctors and surgeons. Thank you.

Susan Lynn  Thank you, Everyone! As I sit here looking at five inches of snow in my backyard, I'm also grateful that the weather cooperated in 2017!
Hope you're all doing well on your individual journeys!

Diane Maher  If it’s anything like your posts Susan, I am sure it will be a very inspirational read. Congratulations❤️

rich monoson  Your attitude is so highly commendable and one I love. The success of these surgeries are so contingent on us patients being actively involved and fully engaged. You're doing amazing and the mindset is 90% of it. Keep up the great work and positive support to everyone in HVS who will benefit from it!

Salvatore Cafiero  Hi Susan.... Thank you so much for extending a word of support to me! I love how this site serves as a "support home" for all of us on this journey. Blessings to you and Family, Salvatore Cafiero

Susan Lynn  Thank you - Linda, Adam, and Judy S.
Adam - I was just in your neighborhood. My sister lives in Newport Beach. My profile photo was taken last weekend at Fashion Island. Love that So Cal weather!

Valerie Altman  Great words to see on a sleepless night here in Indiana with a catheritization coming up Monday a.m ... I'll work on the brave part some more but it's not working

Debbie Moriarty  I saved the photo. Good message.
I get you Valerie. I’m all over the place and I don’t even a date yet! I have to google your procedure but good luck. You will find brave!