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Victoria Bakerposted a photo

41 minutes ago

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With my youngest daughter on the 4th of July! See my other pictures.

Meet Dr. Richard Shemin
Los Angeles, CA
Sponsored

Meet Dr. Richard Shemin

Los Angeles , CA - Sponsored

Hello! My name is Dr. Richard Shemin and I am a cardiac surgeon having graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 1974. To date, I have performed approximately 10,000 cardiac surgeries, of which 7,000 involved heart valve procedures. I regularly perform surgery at hospitals including UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica UCLA, and St. John's Hospital. Read more...

I believe my greatest strength is technical excellence and innovation in providing complex valve surgery.

Upcoming Patient Surgeries

Pat Bluemel
Aortic Stenosis
August 7, 2020

Steven Clauss
Aortic Stenosis
August 13, 2020

Mark Halperin
Aortic Stenosis
August 17, 2020

Victoria Bakerposted a photo

42 minutes ago

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On one of the many beautiful roof top decks in Pittsburgh, PA! See my other pictures.

Meet Dr. Richard Shemin
Los Angeles, CA
Sponsored

Meet Dr. Richard Shemin

Los Angeles , CA - Sponsored

I believe my greatest strength is technical excellence and innovation in providing complex valve surgery.

Jackie Lehmanjust updated her profile

2 hours ago

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

Catie Bgot a new guestbook post

4 hours ago

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Ana Brusso writes, "Hi Catie B. You don’t like us anymore? How is your dad and what’s new with your new surgery. Just let us know. God bless you"

Pat Bluemelgot a new guestbook post

4 hours ago

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Steven Methot writes, "Hey, Pat! Hurry up and wait? That would send me through the roof with stress. I hope you're able to hang in there. We have similar conditions, but at the moment my valve is not ... Read more

Pat Bluemel Thanks Steven, when this same type of delay happened w/ my 1st OHS I freaked out and headed straight to happy hour, I was a mess. Older and wiser now I know ... Read more

Pat Bluemel Thanks Steven, when this same type of delay happened w/ my 1st OHS I freaked out and headed straight to happy hour, I was a mess. Older and wiser now I know someone truly does need my doctor more than me tomorrow. I'm at peace. UWMC is part of the the trauma network for Alaska, Idaho, Montana and the Pacific northwest so big heart stuff sometimes delays those of us who can manage a couple more days.. Last time was as a transplant. I didn't go to happy hour this time so it's progress. I'm actually dreading the additional Covid test more than the 3 days wait.

Kimberly Goodloeposted a photo

4 hours ago

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See my other pictures.

Ana Brusso God bless you! Happy anniversary Kimberley. Love the cake. Stay well ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏

Fred Lopezgot a new guestbook post

6 hours ago

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stephanie arnold writes, "hope you're doin ok."

Jared Takeshitaposted a journal

7 hours ago

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Family Support

Man, this whole COVID-19 pandemic is really throwing a wrench into everything. My parents and my in-laws are both willing and want to come out and help my wife take care of our ... Read more

Man, this whole COVID-19 pandemic is really throwing a wrench into everything. My parents and my in-laws are both willing and want to come out and help my wife take care of our kids and myself during recovery. It's going to be especially hard on my wife considering that we opted to have them start the school year learning remotely from home. Having to take care of both boys and myself is going to a lot.

Since we live in Texas and our families live in California and Nevada, the logistics of getting them out here is proving to be difficult. My parents and in-laws are both considered high risk and really shouldn't be flying in today's COVID-19 world. The next best option is to drive, but you're looking at 17-21 hours in the car with a hotel stay or two somewhere in the middle.

At the end of the day, their health and safety is just as important as my recovery. I'm fortunate to have a tremendous of amount of support from my work family that are willing to help out. A few of them have even offered to mow our lawn while I'm recovering and unable to do so. You know you have great friends if they're willing to help mow your lawn or help you move. Lol.

Since we're on our own timing, I've decided to move the date of my surgery up. I know what needs to be done. The sooner I have the surgery, the sooner I'll be able to start recovering and moving on with the next chapter of my life. I was originally scheduled to have my surgery on 9/18/20, but am now scheduled to have it on 8/28/20.

Darrin Vohs Good luck. I think this seems like a good plan to move up the surgery.

Ana Brusso Glad you were able to move up the surgery. Don’t stress so much about help etc. take one day at a time. I didn’t have little ones to take care of, my caretaker ... Read more

Ana Brusso Glad you were able to move up the surgery. Don’t stress so much about help etc. take one day at a time. I didn’t have little ones to take care of, my caretaker works so they would take my pressure, weight etc., leave easy things for me to warm up and eat and I was by myself all day until they would get home from work. That’s why I am not that crazy being in quarantine, I guess I was already in quarantine. I’m glad I had a gardner. Be patient with yourself and try to be as independent as possible to help your wife. Good luck

Victoria Baker I cannot imagine having all of this going on at once during COVID. I will be praying for everyone's health in your family. I just went through this but my kids are grown so no online school, etc.

Barbara Wood I think you'll find recovery to be much less difficult than you imagine. I had my husband around for recovery, but didn't really need him for help beyond making ... Read more

Barbara Wood I think you'll find recovery to be much less difficult than you imagine. I had my husband around for recovery, but didn't really need him for help beyond making dinner & doing the laundry for the first week. You'll take lots of naps & walks & will be surprised at how well you'll manage on your own! If it seems dangerous for your parents & in laws to travel, personally I'd discourage them...sending good wishes & vibes!

Jared Takeshitajust updated their profile

7 hours ago

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

Pat Bluemelposted a journal

10 hours ago

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Not so fast....

All ready to shower in my special soap this evening and mentally prepared to head in bright and early tomorrow (Tuesday) and get this moving....Not to be. Someone needed doctor ... Read more

All ready to shower in my special soap this evening and mentally prepared to head in bright and early tomorrow (Tuesday) and get this moving....Not to be. Someone needed doctor more urgently than I do tomorrow. Date moved to Friday of this week. This same exact scenario occurred back in 2015 so there is no angst or anxiety. Oh and I get to get RE-Tested for COVID on Wednesday. That will be fun:-)!

Marie Myers Yet another blip on your radar... Glad you are taking it all in stride!

Ana Brusso No worries Pat, you can handle it. Sorry for the delay but God’s plan is always perfect. Will keep you in prayer

Victoria Baker Will be praying for you all week.

Rose Madura You are handling it much better than I did when mine was postponed. Congratulations for that! Best wishes. God bless you.

Pat Bluemeljust updated his profile

10 hours ago

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

Steven Claussgot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

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Steven Methot writes, "Hi Steven. I'm Steven too. I'm about twice your age and have a similar diagnosis to yours but with mild stenosis. My problem is with the aorta which has an aneurysm on it. When they repair that they'll do the valve too. I don't want a mechanical valve because, well, I'm a klutz and I am very active. I don't want to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life, nor do I want to bleed out somewhere in the back country on a hike or a ski. I wish you all the best!"

Steven Claussjust updated his profile

1 day ago

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

Robert Essakgot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

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Ana Brusso writes, "Hello Robert, read your story and feel bad that you’re caught in the middle of COVID and have to wait for a procedure. Waiting is no fun as most of us that have been on the waiting side can tell you. You seem to be in good spirits and in good physical health. We are all here to encourage you and answer your questions and concerns. Continue to tell us about your journey. Be patient and know God’s timing is always perfect. Blessings"

Mark Halperingot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

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Steven Methot writes, "Sounds like your surgery is right around the corner. How are you feeling? Do you have support?"

Mark Halperinjust updated their profile

1 day ago

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

Cathy Moseleygot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

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Adam Pick writes, "Hi Cathy, I just saw your note about the transcatheter mitral valve replacement clinical trial. I thought you might like to see this educational video I filmed about that trial. ... Read more

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Clinical Trial: Patient Story, Orest Kozinchzuk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FEkffHP8xU

https://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - See the patient story of Orest Kozinchzuk, who participated in a transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) feasibil...

Cathy Moseleyposted a journal

1 day ago

Like | Adam Pick and 1 other likes this

Transcatheter vs surgical Mitral valve replacement

Has anyone been in a clinical trial for a trans catheter mitral valve replacement? If they fail or malfunction, do you still have options? What are key questions to ask the doctor... Read more

Has anyone been in a clinical trial for a trans catheter mitral valve replacement? If they fail or malfunction, do you still have options? What are key questions to ask the doctor when discussing trans catheter vs mitral valve replacement ( had aortic valve replacement 27 years ago plus hx of rheumatic fever). Thanks!

Steven Methotposted a journal

1 day ago

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Self-Isolation Chronicles

Well, according to almost every company advertising these days, since I last posted the world has changed. Has it?

The BP is higher but still low-ish (100 over 68). I've lost ... Read more

Well, according to almost every company advertising these days, since I last posted the world has changed. Has it?

The BP is higher but still low-ish (100 over 68). I've lost weight, and look like the picture. I'm feeling pretty good actually but I'm pacing the cage. I'm being a good boy. My Primary Care doc and Cardiologist have both told me to stay at home and practice social distancing. Apart from a drive in the country every other week with a picnic (self-contained within the car) I have not set foot outside the garden. The dreadmill and I are friends of sorts now.

I'm waiting on the benchmark CT scan to see if the aneurysm has grown. It's grown by about a mil each year so this one will likely be no different.

What gets me through is actually reading your updates. I am firmly convinced that we tackle what's been dealt to us one step at a time. We keep moving. That's what you're teaching me.

Some wag said that you can come through this pandemonium as a hunk, a lunk or a drunk. While I've had an adult beverage or three now and then I'm no drunk. I'm never going to be a hunk, and I'm no lunk. Maybe... I'm a monk.

Hang in there folks.

Pat Bluemel The dreadmill! Very funny.

Steven Methot Pat, as a former long (very long) distance runner I loathe(d) the device. I have long legs and it just never seemed to be in synch with me or I with it. Now ... Read more

Steven Methot Pat, as a former long (very long) distance runner I loathe(d) the device. I have long legs and it just never seemed to be in synch with me or I with it. Now i don't run and we have an uneasy truce. I don't curse at it and it doesn't trip me up.

Ana Brusso Great post Steven, funny too. Keep posting.

Pat Bluemel I have never been a runner, and have always loathed the mill. I now have a proper name for it in rehab!

Pat Bluemel What was your last CT measurement of your anny? I made it to 5.5.

Robert Essakjust updated his profile

1 day ago

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