News Feed For Patients With Heart Valve Disease

Home > Community > Patient News Feed

Uploading your photo!
Please wait a minute!

Malcolm Sellarsgot a new guestbook post

6 hours ago

Ana Brusso writes, "Hello Malcolm, even if you are in Australia we welcome you to our site. Wishing you a successful surgery and recovery. Continue to update us of your condition. ...Read more

Ana Brusso writes, "Hello Malcolm, even if you are in Australia we welcome you to our site. Wishing you a successful surgery and recovery. Continue to update us of your condition. God bless you
🙏❤️"

Richard Munson Aussies are always welcome as are our brothers and sisters in other countries around the world. I had ... Read more

Richard Munson Aussies are always welcome as are our brothers and sisters in other countries around the world. I had my surgery at 79 and got through it. Best of luck to you. Mate.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Edgewood, KY - Sponsored

Gary Fabre

“I just went in for an annual check-up. After listening to my heart, my doctor told me I had a heart murmur. I never knew I had a heart murmur, and I didn’t know much about them. The images ... Read more.

We made the decision, at the time, to keep an eye on it for a year because I had no symptoms. Based on my second echocardiogram, it was determined that my mitral valve prolapse had progressed, and it was time for surgery. Now, I am ecstatic to say that my wife and I just returned from a 10-day holiday in Saint Lucia which included four scuba dives.

Dr. Castillo-Sang gave me the confidence that I would be able to dive again, and he was 100% correct."

-- Gary Fabre, heart valve patient

Upcoming Patient Surgeries

Shelley Bosveld
Mitral Regurgitation
December 31, 2025

WENDY RICHARDSON
Aortic Stenosis
June 22, 2033

Linda McHugh
Mitral Regurgitation
July 7, 2105

Peggy Petersonjust updated her profile

7 hours ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Peggy Petersonposted a journal

7 hours ago

A perfect day. All this old Neena wants for Christmas is kids, family & COOKIES. My happiest & most precious times in my life have been having & ...Read more

A perfect day. All this old Neena wants for Christmas is kids, family & COOKIES. My happiest & most precious times in my life have been having & raising kids & grandkids.
Jessica’s homemade Christmas cookies. We all helped, including lots of quality control tasting. Grace 21, Peg 69, Beau 5-1/2, Jackson 16.
Happiest Holidays with so much love & care for ALL! ❤️❤️❤️

Cleve Ganttgot a new guestbook post

8 hours ago

Deena Z writes, "Hi Cleve,
You choose an outstanding surgeon with Dr Adams. He was my surgeon too. Saw your note re- an apt. You might want to ask “Grace Mason”, ...Read more

Deena Z writes, "Hi Cleve,
You choose an outstanding surgeon with Dr Adams. He was my surgeon too. Saw your note re- an apt. You might want to ask “Grace Mason”, a HVS heart warrior, where she stayed for her Mt Sinai surgery. I stayed at a hotel and would not recommend that approach. There is a search function to find Grace on HVS. Godspeed."

Kimberly Eisenhutposted an update

10 hours ago

Peggy Peterson reacted to this

I'm out of the trial drug now since I had another pericarditis horrible flare about 10 days ago and had to stop trial and quickly sign up for Arcalyst (Rinolacept) ...Read more

I'm out of the trial drug now since I had another pericarditis horrible flare about 10 days ago and had to stop trial and quickly sign up for Arcalyst (Rinolacept) another hospital stay a few days and back on Prednisone and colchicine, but just got injections in mail today. I will start them on Friday afternoon and pray it works and stops my body from being so inflamed. It's as Interluken 1 inhibitor and supposed to stop my body from basically attacking itself. Hoping my high intensity CRP will be down today. If you want to know normal CRP levels, its 0-3, mine has gone from 5.8 to over 200! It was down from 69 to 28 last week, hoping it's lower today. I'm so nervous about the injections , I have to do a double "loading" dose on Friday which means two jabs in my stomach. I've never given myself an injection before. At thousands of dollars a shot, it makes me quite nervous! Having a video visit with nurse from One Direct (Kiniksa) to guide me, but still. Please God let this work so I can start living, walking, driving , doing household things again. My son's been amazing through all of ER, hospital stays, doing my laundry, cooking for me, taking me everywhere , getting meds, helping with my work because I can't do any of it to right now. My daughter also stamping orders since I cannot until pericaditis is cleared up as it would aggravate it more. Very limited on my mobility.🙏 Hoping the pericardial effusion and plural effusion are gone soon too! Recurrent severe pericarditis creates so many other problems along with it . Also please pray the Metropolol will now help my junctional rhythm also. Makes me lightheaded but if I can get sinus node to wake up maybe I can breathe normal and not have resting HR in the upper 80s 24/7.

Happy Holiday to everyone and pray you all are doing well this Season🙏🫶💗

Richard Munson Prayers to you hvs step daughter.

Peggy Peterson So much love & prayers for you beautiful girl!! You could be my daughter or granddaughter. Prayer ... Read more

Peggy Peterson So much love & prayers for you beautiful girl!! You could be my daughter or granddaughter. Prayers & positivity. Manifesting. You’ve come this far. You are a warrior princess. Fight on. ❤️❤️❤️

Ana Brusso Keeping you in prayer Kimberly. Merry Christmas and many blessings of good health. 🙏❤️🎄

Kimberly Eisenhut Thank you Richard, Peggy and Ana🫶 I am fighting and will keep fighting. I will try to update after ... Read more

Kimberly Eisenhut Thank you Richard, Peggy and Ana🫶 I am fighting and will keep fighting. I will try to update after I do my "loading " doses of Arcalyst on Friday.
So many unbelievably tough, inspiring, loving, and just plain exceptional human beings here! I'm so proud to be part of this community.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz I join to the prayers for your health and wish you a Merry Christmas with the people you love

Free Patient Newsletter

Get the latest medical insights and patient updates from our award-winning newsletter.

Jonathan Bomarjust updated his profile

16 hours ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Peggy Petersonjust updated her profile

17 hours ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Peggy Petersonposted an update

17 hours ago

Posted this morning in a mitral valve replacement support group. Don’t forget to support yourself first! Heart fixed, now to renew my soul. ❤️❤️❤️
“I ...Read more

Posted this morning in a mitral valve replacement support group. Don’t forget to support yourself first! Heart fixed, now to renew my soul. ❤️❤️❤️
“I had a porcine mitral valve replacement, left atrial appendage closure and the MAZE produce for afib on 02/28/25. I will be 70 in April.
Anxiety HORRIBLE for months before and the first four months or so after.
I was in heart failure and death was imminent within a couple of years max if the valve wasn’t replaced I truly believe. If your body and heart are failing, anxiety is the body’s natural survival reaction.
It took a good 6 months before I felt like my heart had healed enough to give my body hope for survival and the future.
10 months out, I do not ever remember feeling as heart healthy as I am now. Also had 3 stents in 2024, a year before the valve replacement.
Every day is a day towards heart healing. Be kind to yourself, don’t set unrealistic expectations. Your body will heal in its ideal time. REST!! HOPE!!!
My valve has been messed up since age 12 due to rhuematic fever.
Took 4 years to find a cardiologist who said yep let’s fix that. My belief is that my 4 years of afib were due to rhuematic valve disease.
I believe because they did not replace the valve earlier I have damage to my heart due to other interventions.
Never give up, trust yourself. Know we are each here and now for a good purpose only. ❤️❤️❤️
Dr. Kevin Hodges, Northwestern Blum Cardiovascular Institute, CHICAGO campus

jacque Brandon just updated her profile

23 hours ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Ready to Join Our Community?

It’s Free!

Click Here to Get Started!

Already have an account?
Log in now

Ana Brussoposted an update

1 day ago

Pamela Gregory, Susan Lynn reacted to this

Wishing Mark Morel a successful surgery and recovery tomorrow. Blessings 🙏❤️

Pamela Gregory Also sending positive thoughts and prayers to Mark

Judy Sposted an update

1 day ago

My sister just saw had a surgical consult today at Kaiser Santa Clara for a potential SAVR. (I had one in 2018.) Does anyone have any experience with this Kaiser ...Read more

My sister just saw had a surgical consult today at Kaiser Santa Clara for a potential SAVR. (I had one in 2018.) Does anyone have any experience with this Kaiser and Dr. Soraya Voight?

PS Cainjust updated his profile

1 day ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Malcolm Sellarsjust updated his profile

1 day ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

New Posts About Patient Stories

Tim's Story: From Heart Valve Reoperation to Mini-Marathon Success

The unique bond that patients form with their heart valve surgeons can extend well... Read More.

Bono's Heart Surgery Success Story: 7 Years Later At The Sphere

Since I first listened to "Under A Blood Red Sky" on a cassette tape... Read More.

Ercan Afacanposted an update

1 day ago

Mark Morel reacted to this

Post-Op 2weeks already 😱

Marie Myers Time flies!!!

Sandeep Singhaljust updated his profile

1 day ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Melinda Donahuegot a new guestbook post

2 days ago

Cleve Gantt writes, "Hi Melinda, I'm from near Mobile, Alabama. I just saw Dr David Adams in early December, and he said it's time for surgery. I have been watched since 1988 for ...Read more

Cleve Gantt writes, "Hi Melinda, I'm from near Mobile, Alabama. I just saw Dr David Adams in early December, and he said it's time for surgery. I have been watched since 1988 for Aortic valve regurgitation. At this time, I also have a leaking mitral and tricuspid valve. All are moderate. Surgery is currently scheduled for April 23. We will need furnished apartment during and after surgery. Any suggestions for furnished apartments near Mt Sinai? "

Melinda Donahue I live right across the river but there is a patient advocate there by the name of Faye and if you ca ... Read more

Melinda Donahue I live right across the river but there is a patient advocate there by the name of Faye and if you call Dr. Adams’ office and ask for Joel (NP) or Faye I bet they can help you. Best wishes on this journey and lmk. You are in great hands.

Thomas Nolenjust updated his profile

2 days ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Educational Video About Atrial Fibrillation

Mitral Valve Repair & AFib: Surgery vs Transcatheter

Doctor Interviewed:
Dr. Marc Gerdisch

Mitral Valve Repair & AFib: Surgery vs Transcatheter

Linda Saperjust updated her profile

2 days ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Fidel Martínez Ruizjust updated his profile

3 days ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Richard Munsonposted an update

3 days ago

Susan Lynn, Michael Chaisty, Pamela Gregory and 2 others reacted to this

Will Nancy like her custom xmas throw is the question of the day

Rose Madura I think she will love it!

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Sure, Nancy is shining, the other two amigos are looking more shaded,!!

Fidel Martínez Ruiz

Richard Munson The shady one is in the back.

Richard Munson Last xmas i gave her a sweater but it was full of static electricity. I returned it though and got a ... Read more

Richard Munson Last xmas i gave her a sweater but it was full of static electricity. I returned it though and got a new one free of charge.

Melinda Donahue Its beautiful

Susan Lynn She'll love it!

Melinda Donahue Free of charge ….hahahaha

Pamela Gregory I love it!!!

I'm sure Nancy will too

Deena Z You put Nancy in the forefront. Smart husband!

Richard Munson Lets be honest, if she was not in the forefront, you would not see her.

Adam Pickgot a new guestbook post

4 days ago

Adam Pick, Susan Lynn, Shelly Hubbard reacted to this

Fidel Martínez Ruiz writes, "Congratulations from Spain, Adam!"

Adam Pick Thanks Fidel!

St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Edgewood, KY - Sponsored

Gary Fabre

Dr. Castillo-Sang gave me the confidence that I would be able to dive again, and he was 100% correct."

-- Gary Fabre, heart valve patient

Adam Pickgot a new guestbook post

4 days ago

Adam Pick, Susan Lynn reacted to this

Ruth joy writes, "
🎈Huge Congratulation's Adam !!!!! 🎈"

Adam Pick Thanks Ruth!!!

Ana Brussoposted an update

4 days ago

Susan Lynn, Adam Pick, Pamela Gregory reacted to this

The 20th hvs anniversary of my dear hvs brother Adam Pick. Because of his website I found Dr. Vance Starnes to perform my aortic valve replacement and almost ...Read more

The 20th hvs anniversary of my dear hvs brother Adam Pick. Because of his website I found Dr. Vance Starnes to perform my aortic valve replacement and almost three years later found Dr. Richard Shemin who performed my second open heart surgery successfully. I will forever be grateful to Adam for the help his website gave me. Congratulations Adam and here is to many many more in good health. God bless you 🙏❤️🍾

Susan Lynn Adam and the HVS site have helped so many of us with education, surgeon info, and support from the ... Read more

Susan Lynn Adam and the HVS site have helped so many of us with education, surgeon info, and support from the greatest heart warriors on the planet! Glad Adam is celebrating 20 years! Congratulations!

x20

Adam Pick Thanks Ana and Susan!!! And, thanks for all your support of patients in our community!!!