"Adam - I'm INCREDIBLY LUCKY to have found your book!
It's the only resource I've been able to find from a patient's perspective!"
-- Patient, Shannon Kotner, Macungie, Pennsylvania
"Hi Adam -
I just want to say "Thank You!" for writing
such
a wonderful book. I bought it online. My
husband
and I have read
it cover-to-cover.
Your book has been a Godsend!"
-- Caregiver, Mary Dello, Norfolk, Virginia
"Thanks so much for writing your book. Six years ago I had open
heart surgery for a diseased mitral valve. Now, in June, I am going
to have another open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve. I was
trying to remember what my first operation was like, but of course, I
really couldn't, since I was so drugged up. Your book helped me
remember and reassure me."
-- Patient, Judith Carr, West Hartford, Connecticut
"Adam - Many patients are benefitting from your work."
-- Dr. Vincent Guadiani, Senior Cardiac Surgeon, Pacific Coast
Cardiac & Vascular Surgeons. (Over the past 25 years,
Dr. Gaudiani has performed over 10,000 operations.)
"This book will help patients and caregivers...
The Patient's Guide
To
Heart Valve Surgery provides
a
patient’s perspective
of heart valve surgery throughout
the
entire process -
from
diagnosis through recovery."
-- Dr. Gosta Pettersson, M.D., Ph.D.
Vice Chairman of The Cleveland Clinic Department of
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
"What an incredible story! I think every patient and caregiver
facing valve surgery should read The Patient's Guide To
Heart Valve Surgery. Thank
you so much for taking the
time to put your entire journey into words."
-- Caregiver, Michelle Browning, San Francisco, California
"I received your book late this afternoon and 'devoured' it!
Thank you so much for such an informative book."
-- Patient, Cheryl Boney, Sanger, California
"Adam: I congratulate you on your excellent and humane
work. I am convinced The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery will
help many patients and caregivers. Thank you very much."
-- Heart Surgeon, Dr. Benoit de Varennes MDCM, MSc, FRCS
Chairman, Division of Cardiac Surgery, McGill University
"I wanted to let you know that I received the book in
yesterday's mail. I
already read it. I could not put in down.
This book is great, it has so much
information that
I was
not aware of. I showed it to my son (the patient) and
he is going to start reading it today."
-- Caregiver, Isabel Soto, Hollywood, Florida
"What really impressed me is the very clear and simple way you
describe
your feelings (I already experienced fear and desperation)
together with
the optimistic view on the reality. This is even more
important than all the
very interesting technical information you give.
No one surgeon in the world
can do the same! Thank you!"
-- Patient, Adalberto Morgana, Ustaritz, France
"I thought the survey results of 78 former patients and caregivers in
The Patients Guide To Heart Valve Surgery were a great tool."
-- Patient, Alan Gormann, United Kingdom
"I was VERY IMPRESSED!
Now that I've read The Patient's
Guide To
Heart Valve Surgery and educated myself, I'm thinking
that
my "ignorance" may
have
indeed killed me.Thanks!"
-- Patient, Mitzi Boyd, Fort Worth, Texas
"Adam - The book is really quite remarkable. Great job."
-- Heart Surgeon, Dr. Kevin Accola, MD, Orlando, Florida
"This is a wonderful book! The integration of clinical information with the personal experience of the author provides the reader with a very helpful, supportive and realistic understanding of heart valve surgery."
-- Caregiver, Donna Pearson, California
"A patient’s understanding and realistic expectations of their
pending medical procedure enables them to obtain a sense of control
over their expectations which ultimately results in an efficient and healthy recovery. For that reason, The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery is an effective resource for cardiac surgery patients."
-- Doctor, Dr. Robert T. Light, MD, Virginia
"Thank you for your candid thoughts and experiences. I require
an aortic valve replacement and your book has been a great source
of information.
Thank you and stay healthy."
-- Patient, John Vardy, Al Khor, Qatar
"This book offers unique insight into heart valve surgery
from the
patient's perspective. There is much to gain from
Adam Pick's story. The author's personal experience, as a heart
valve surgery patient, provides a 'real-life' understanding that is
both accurate and positive."
-- Doctor, Dr. Marc Darrow, Santa Monica, California
"I read the eBook as soon as I got it. Then, I went to Kinkos
to
bind it for my dad. I found it to be very informative and great
for someone
who is faced with the same health problem."
-- Caregiver, Christina Canchola, Roselle, Illinois
"Great Job!!!"
-- Doctor, Constance Alfano-Weigand, MD,CCN,ND - Florida
"Very informative and insightful!!!"
-- Patient, Patsy Yarbrough - Roxbury, North Carolina
"I received the book quickly and was very impressed with it. It gave
me
a good view of what to expect and to watch out for. I am
sure
it will
be a big benefit to my experience and recovery.
Thanks for
sharing your experience and knowledge with others."
-- Patient, John Riordan, Centerport, New York
"Both Colleen (my wife) and I have read your book.
Speaking
of the drug issue, I believe you make some good points in the book
about the necessity of dealing with pain management issues without
getting too dependent on pain killers."
-- Patient, Philip Bonds, Kremmling, Colorado
"Thank you VERY much for your thoughts!!!
It does somehow help to know that we're not alone.
Your description of your experience after your surgery so
perfectly fits with our experience thus far."
-- Caregiver, Greg Bates, Atlanta, Georgia
"Adam, Thank You. Your book is great. My dad is 81 years old
and is going to go thru same thing you describe in The Patient's
Guide To Heart Valve Surgery.
-- Caregiver, Wanda Howard, Mary Esther, Florida
"I read and enjoyed your book last month. Since then, I decided to have
a Medtronic stentless valve implanted on Feb 28th by
Dr. Edward Chen at Emory U hospital in Atlanta."
-- Patient, Chuck Nolan, Alpharetta, Georgia
"I was able to find all the technical information i needed on the internet
but couldn't
find any information on the hospital stay or recovery and for that your book is great."
-- Patient, Mary Finlay, Modbury, South Australia
"Really Excellent!"
-- Patient, Sue Monks, United Kingdom
"Thanks so much for writing the book. I found it very helpful in
getting a grip on this impending surgery."
-- Caregiver, Janet Greenwood, Firth, Nebraska
"Your literature and website are very helpful. Thank you for your
assistance. I can't tell you how much it helps."
-- Caregiver, Ray White,
Florissant, Colorado
"I am glad I read your book, it is so valuable to
hear a patient's perspective. My daughter and husband
have also read it. Knowing what to expect is so important!
-- Patient, Susan Conway, Houston, Texas
"Just to let you know my dad had the operation yesterday and after 24 hours in
ICU is now in HDU and making really good progress - the surgeon is very happy. It is all how your book described so far which is great as I feel prepared for everything. Thanks for writing the book - I think it will be a great help and
comfort to any other people who have to go through it in the future."
-- Caregiver, Emma Lodge, United Kingdom
"Thank you for responding so quickly. I'm very impressed that you took such
a tough situation and turned it
into something so positive. Your book has
helped us quite a bit. It has
been especially helpful in narrowing
down the search for a good surgeon."
-- Caregiver, Gregory Rianhard, Mexico
"For me, your book gave me a better understanding of what
my girlfriend will be going through. I'm sure it will help and prepare
her
for her surgery next year."
-- Caregiver, Darren Goldfinch, United Kingdom
"It is a great service to provide the kind of
information that
The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve
Surgery contains - thank you for writing it."
-- Caregiver, John Livingston, Newport Beach, California
"Your book is the first thing I've seen my husband read in 12 years!!!
I can tell the The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve
Surgery is really helping him."
-- Caregiver, Melanie Slivka, Venture, California
"The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery is a great book and I really
appreciate you putting it together. I am 33 and was recently diagnosed
with a defective aortic valve and an enlarged left ventricle."
-- Patient, Luis Ayala, Alhambra, California
"I have read your book. It's great!!!"
-- Patient, Lawrence Bentvena, Wellington, Florida
"Thanks a bunch Adam! My niece, Melissa, says The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery is very good. It's helping her understand her situation
better! I am so glad you were able to make this happen. I also sincerely appreciate you taking the time to include a personal
note to Melissa - that meant a lot to her."
-- Caregiver, Ted Eisenmann, Frisco, Texas
"I got your book on Thursday, one day sooner than I expected it to come. I
could not lay it down. All my fears and questions were right in the book.
And I felt like I wasn't alone. Thank you so much for the information. It has
helped me a great deal. There's one quote in your book, in the 'Best Piece Of
Advice From Former Patients' section that I read over and over again. Again,
thank you for the book. I strongly suggest to anyone that is planing on
heart valve surgery, READ THIS BOOK!"
-- Patient, Monica Fletcher, Doyline, Louisiana
"I just want to thank you. My uncle received your book on Saturday and was very impressed. I only wish he had your book BEFORE his surgery. He really appreciated your patient perspective on heart valve surgery."
-- Caregiver, Diane Kendrick, Eugene, Oregon
"Your book helped me understand where to focus my energy.
Thank you for the help!"
-- Patient, Sharron Slatter, Hollister, California
"Easy read and good information! I must say that I shed a few (ok,
several) tears while reading The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery,
but it was good for me to hear your experiences and feelings on
the surgery (and events leading up to it)."
-- Patient, Brenda Anderson, Florida
"Thanks again for your words of encouragement from your book!!!"
-- Patient, Jean Knappick, Patient, Pennsylvania
"Adam... Thank you so much!!!"
-- Patient, Judy Hunt, Pennsylvania
"The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery is a very
informative and thorough
treatment so a big 'Thank You' for
your efforts. My father was
just admitted
a few days
ago with
a bad mitral valve so it's great to have
a concise
source
of information to refer to Adam.
Thank you so much!!!"
-- Caregiver, Tracy Smiley, Canada
"Thanks for your book, it was a great help. My 54 year old wife
had valve replacement in July. She is doing great, was out
of the hospital in 6 days, is back at work and traveling."
-- Caregiver, Jim Bolin, Kansas City, Missouri
"I just purchased your book and am preparing for my 17 year old
daughter to have the Ross procedure done next summer.
We have
known about her heart problem since she was
only days old.
So,
it's no
surprise to us, but the reality is starting to sink in that she
needs to
have this done soon. I browsed through your book and
then my wife
got hold of it and read it cover to cover and now my daughter has it.
I guess I will just have to wait until she is done.
-- Caregiver, Jim Perrine, Ohio
"Thanks for all of your support through my surgery and recovery, Adam!"
-- Patient, Melissa Causey, Frisco, Texas
"I was looking for some information on the surgery when I found your book
and I just wanted to say thanks to you for writing it. I've read numerous
articles
on this topic and it's great to be able to read first hand what
to expect. The
book is definitely helping me to manage expectations and to
know
what to watch out for. Hopefully, I will have the same positive
outcome you have had."
-- Patient, Bob Peterson, Atlanta, Georgia
"I just received your book. As a physician who underwent mitral
valve repair in
2000 after an episode of SBE, this book is invaluable!"
-- Patient & Doctor, Stuart Jacobson, Connecticut
"I finished reading The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery
a couple of weeks ago.
Easy read and good information.
I must say that I shed a few (ok,
several) tears, but good for me to
hear your experiences and feelings
on
the surgery
(and events leading up to it)."
-- Patient, Brenda Anderson, Florida
"Adam - I can't thank you enough for your book which was an
invaluable aid mentally for both of us so that we had an idea of what to
expect. God Bless and take care!"
-- Caregiver, Taylor Sharai, Covington, Louisiana
"I received the book and I couldn't put it down, you did a great job.
Yes the book is for me, I just found out Wednesday that I have to have heart
surgery, don't know yet if is a replacement or repair, all I know is that I'm dying
with fear, if the valve don't kill me, my fear will."
-- Patient, Luisa Rivera, Dover, Florida
"Many thanks for your help and advice!"
-- Patient, Stephen Woodhouse, United Kingdom
"I read The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery in one day! It was incredibly informative. I am a single Mom of an eleven year old boy. Your book
really put things into perspective for me.
You're an inspiration!
-- Patient, Lisa Dean, Flowery Branch, Georgia
"Thanks for writing the book! I'm trying to be of the mindset that I GET to
have valve replacement, rather than I HAVE to have valve replacement. After
all ... not too long ago aortic valve stenosis had a prognosis which was
"get your things in order, you're going to die." I consider myself lucky."
-- Patient, Pamm Brookins, Hillard, Ohio
"Thanks for writing a book about heart
valve replacement. It
really does help my fear of
surgery. Thanks a million!"
-- Patient, Art Ajero, San Francisco, California
"I just wanted to thank you for writing your book.
I have found it
very helpful."
-- Patient, Kerry Lebel, Gig Harbor, Washington
"Adam... Thanks for writing something like this."
-- Patient, Greg O'Rourke, Glenwood, Maryland
"Adam - Your book was very accurate and definitely a
big help in knowing what to expect. As a CPA, I am used to
being in control and not being in control caused
major anxiety for me."
-- Patient, Jim Bonk, San Diego, California
"Adam, I take my Glengarry cap off to you and your book. I have
just finished reading the book and I am sure my wife
will benefit from reading it as soon as she is able."
-- Caregiver, Ian Chalmers, United Kingdom
"I browsed through your book and found it very well written (easy to
understand), realistic and informative. I told my brother to print it for my
Dad to read tonight, at 93, needing an urgent valve replacement. Thank you!"
-- Caregiver, Jocelyn Larue, Brazil
"Thank you for sharing your experience.....and for the
helpful things that you wrote. God Bless you.....I'm
glad we are alive......and It was nice "meeting"
you!!!"
-- Patient, Heather Dana Lazano, Alta Loma, California
"Adam - I'm so glad that someone wrote a book about their experiences,
my aunt... my best friend....is going to Newport Beach Jan. 3, 2008
to have the surgery done.
Thank you for sharing your experience,
I beileve it will help her know what to expect and give her some peace."
-- Caregiver, Christina Piacenza, Las Vegas, Nevada
"I read The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery and really
appreciated it. I took it to
Rochester, MN's Mayo Valve Clinic
and the doctors there were interested
in it as well.
-- Patient, Debra Hannu, Duluth, Minnesota
"Thank you for sharing your experience and
doing the research about other
patients."
-- Caregiver, Kathy Edmark, Lynnwood, Washington
"Hi Adam!
Thanks for your book which
really impressed my father-in-law!"
-- Caregiver, Jennifer Robinson, Australia
"Hello Adam, I have read your book, and thought it
very helpful. Thanks for sharing your very personal
experience with us heart patients!"
-- Patient, Kathy McCain, Houston, Texas
"I want to tell you what a wonderful job you did with this book.
There is no web site that can resemble it because you gave
it a very personal and emotional aproach. My husband Sergio
(54 years old) needs a mitral valve surgery by the end of the
month or beggining of February. He is very nervous and anxious
as
you may know and that is when I decided to buy your book. I
bought it yesterday and since then we where reading it together
and
what was my surpise that a few minutes ago when he arrived
home and told me: lets finish the book! Whenever you come to
Cancun
please feel free to visit us we will be delighted to meet you."
-- Caregiver, Maribel Pazos, Cancun, Mexico
"Thank you for writing this piece and helping
the rest of
us with the decisions we have to make. I'm only 52, so
it's a biggie, as you know."
-- Patient, Lori Watsky, Austin, Texas
"I really enjoyed your book. I am scheduled for the
Ross Procedure
on February 27th in NYC with Dr Stelzer.
I am a bit anxious but look forward to feeling better."
-- Patient, Elizabeth Devaney, West Caldwell, New Jersey
"Adam: Your book was very helpful in knowing what will
take place and what we will expect after surgery. Thank you."
-- Caregiver, Allison Lersch, Ft. Wayne, Indiana
"Thanks again for your interest and willingness to help. You're very kind
and are providing a caring benefit to all of us who need some
reassurance."
-- Patient, Mel Schweitzer, New York, New York
"I am finding the book very interesting, and feel very good that I stumbled
across it purely by accident yesterday. Thank you again Google!
Thanks very much Adam!"
-- Patient, Jeff Ayres, South Weymouth, Massachusetts
"The book was helpful; it provided alot of
needed information. Thanks for
sharing your experience."
-- Patient, Ken Thevenet, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
"I am finding your book very helpful and informative
and I think it will help calm my Mom. She enjoys reading so
this
will help her focus on details without freaking out with
thoughts of not having a clue. It will also help me in speaking to
my Dad prior to surgery. Thanks for taking the time to journal
your surgery and write the book, I'm sure it is helping many people."
-- Caregiver, Grace Quinlan, Oak Lawn, Illinois
"Adam: Your book was very helpful. It gave me pertinent information and by helping me understand what to expect. I wasn't nearly as nervous just prior to surgery. I had my Aortic valve replaced with a St. Jude mechanical valve and had my ascending Aorta repaired. My surgery was almost 6 weeks ago and so far so good. Your book and the website you provide were instrumental in helping me decide which type of valve to choose. My surgery was done by Dr. Svensson at the Cleveland Clinic. He came highly recommended, however he is a man of few words, lol. Not unusual I guess surgeons are a rare bread. Anyway thanks again for your help!"
-- Patient, Shawn O'Donnell, Brecksville, Ohio
"Thank you so much for your book, I can't wait to
see what it does for him and for me! You're a blessing."
-- Caregiver, Marissa Warms, Dallas, Texas
"I received the book and already read it! Awesome book
with good information.
Many thanks for writing it.
I am meeting
my surgeon in one week to finalize the details of my aortic valve
replacement. Your book is a great source of information
and
comfort!"
-- Patient, Bill McKinney, Decatur, Georgia
"Hi, Adam! Thanks so much for your book. I felt I was
pretty well educated
on the subject, but your book filled
in some gaps. I was so anxious to learn more!"
-- Patient, Sean Ripperton, Greenboro, North Carolina
"Your book helped so much in preparing us for the
surgery and we have recommended it to our doctor and
others that will be having this procedure.
Thank you again."
-- Caregiver, Emily Boyle, Sidbury, England
"Thanks for writing your book. I've read
it and feel
considerably more reassured with regards
to aortic valve
replacement surgery"
-- Patient, Terence Wood, United States
"Adam, Your book was a tremendous relief recently during my father's (69 yrs) heart valve surgery. I discussed your experiences with my father and mother before the surgery and when things occurred, I could remind them of your experiences to ease their nervousness. Of course your book put me at ease also during the whole ordeal. I am happy to say that my father is doing well and is on his 8th week of recovery. His doctor chose a pig valve and said that the valve will last over 20 years.
I would recommend your book for all family members.
Thanks!"
-- Caregiver, Mike Hebert, United States
"Jeff, my husband and patient, could not put down your heart valve book.
He is much more prepared
now and had some questions answered that he never even thought of! Thanks so much for your help!"
-- Caregiver, Anne New, New Zealand
"Great, easy to read book. Am giving my copy to the
surgeon so he can
recommend it to future patients."
-- Patient, Doris Hardy, Columbus, Mississippi
"Adam - Received your book this morning and
have just finished
reading it.
It is very, very helpful. Thank you!"
-- Caregiver, Mary Rose Conboy, New Jersey
"God bless you! You are my “angel”. Thanks for writing the book,
The Patient’s Guide to Heart Valve Surgery! I’m scheduled for
surgery next Wednesday – like you, I have to be at St. Vincent’s
Heart
Center of Indiana at 7AM. I have a great surgeon,
Dr. Robert J. Robison, who will be performing the surgery!"
-- Patient, Vernon Young, Indiana
"Adam: Your book and website have been a great resourse
to help me prepare and now recover.
I have my own home unit
INR Ratio HemoaSense Monitor for testing which gives
my wife and I peace of mind when taking Coumadin.
Keep up your good work!"
-- Patient, Charles Harrall, Nevada
"Just wanted to let you know that I finished your book
last night and I must say...Thank you again! I folded
over so many pages of items I want to go back and refer to.
I plan to reread your book and make a list before my next appt with
the cardiologist. Again, Thank you, thank you, and thank you."
-- Patient, Sherri Hendry
"Great book Adam!
Thank you for taking the time to share your story.
It has helped me a great deal as I try to cope with the idea of open heart surgery. Hope all is well. Thanks again. Take care."
-- Patient, Bill Hazard
"Hi Adam -
My wife, who is a Registered Nurse, found your book
surfing the web. My brother John,
a young man of 44 had surgery
10 days ago. It's great to know
there is a resource out there such as
your book to help him and
his family to become informed and
prepared for what lies ahead.
Thanks for an informative and
optimistic book."
-- Caregiver, Scott Barr
"Dear Adam:
I recently purchased your book and read it completely,
and I must admit, it made me feel much more comfortable
in knowing more about what I am in store for sometime in
the not-too-distant future and certainly before the end of the year."
-- Patient, Jim Kolius, Arizona
"Hi Adam - I ordered your book last week and should receive it
any day now. Even though we haven't read it in its entirety yet, I want to
thank you for your website. Our son's procedure will be at the Children's
Hospital in Denver, CO. We have the upmost confidence in our surgeons and
cardiologist but sometimes I don't think they realize just how SCARY this
is. Being able to read first hand experiences from actual patients is
priceless. Thank you so very much and we look forward to reading
your book!
Please say an extra prayer for our us and our son Devon."
-- Caregiver, Gina Bender, Colorado
"Adam - I'd like to begin by thanking you for your book
and blog.
Even though I discovered both after my surgery
it's been extremely helpful."
-- Patient, Linda G., New York
"Hi Adam,
I'm now about 6 weeks out of surgery. I bought
your excellent book shortly after being released from the
hospital and I have to tell you that it has been a great friend to
me in my recovery."
-- Patient, Clive Zickel, New York
"Congratulations on your splendid book!"
-- Patient, Jim Kelley
"I just finished reading your book and it has been very helpful.
I am 8 days away from surgery and even though I am
still very nervous, I feel as prepared as I think I can."
-- Patient, Vicki Meyer, Texas
"Adam - Your book is very helpful!"
-- Patient, Debbie Ashbury, New Mexico
" Reading your book and reading about your family, I feel almost a
part of your family. Thanks for sharing your experiences in your book."
-- Patient, Eva Hishmeh-Bishara, Los Angeles
"Adam, I purchased the book for my father who just had surgery. At 79 he had a double bypass and valve repair. He only had the book for about a week before surgery but I felt it helped and will continue to. Thanks!"
-- Caregiver, Tammy Hulet
"Hi Adam,
I'm emailing from Australia, I'm 34 and I had my open heart surgery 4 months ago. I too wanted to let you know how grateful I was/am for your website and thank you for my being able to get a true idea from the patient's perspective of what would be involved and what was likely to happen."
-- Patient, Melissa Johnston, Australia
"Hi Adam,
I'm very thankful that you've created this book and that you are making yourself available as a resouce for support."
-- Patient, Theresa Metz, Pennsylvania
"Adam: You are filling a big, informational void in the medical
world."
-- Patient, Bill S., Massachusetts
"I wanted to thank you for your book. The information in it helped prepare me
for aortic valve replacement surgery two weeks ago. And, your book and your
web site have helped answer questions during my recovery."
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