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The Best Feeling Ever!

By Adam Pick on December 15, 2007

This month has been absolutely amazing!

First, I get a letter from Dr. Donald Ross, inventor of the Ross Procedure, then I receive an email from my hero, mountain climber Veronika Meyer. And, now... Now, I am opening up wonderful, touching, inspirational notes from readers all over the world - Leslie, Cheryl, Jim, Lisa, Doug, Erik, etc.

It's like Thanksgiving never stopped.

This morning I woke up and clicked on an email from Sherry Richardson of Las Vegas, Nevada. I have to admit, some tears of joy actually fluttered along my eyelids as I read this email.

"Why?" you may be wondering.

Well. I never imagined that this website or my book would be helping so many people. That said, I thought you might like to hear Sherry's story. It is a testament to the trials and tribulations of patients experiencing heart valve surgery. In particular, her story touches on finding the right heart valve surgeon.

Email from Sherry

My niece had ordered your book for me as a surprise. She knew how scared I 'was' about my upcoming heart valve surgery on January 3, 2008.

Notice the word 'was' in the prior sentence.

I feel really safe after reading your story. You cannot believe how much pressure has been lifted.

I was actually scheduled for a pig valve replacement here in Las Vegas on September 3, 2007. However, I became ill and had to cancel the surgery because of chronic bronchitis. While sick, I learned that my doctor here in Las Vegas has not performed many pig valve replacement surgeries.

So, by the saving grace from above, my niece and I went on a surgeon search. We found Hoag Hospital and Dr. Aidan Raney (pictured below).

I may be one of the lucky ones to receive a heart valve repair instead of a heart valve replacement. Dr. Aidan Raney said I have a 80 to 85 percent chance of getting a repair. (You can learn more about Dr. Raney at his website, Raney Zusman Medical Group.)

We did exactly what you said in the book... We looked for the most experienced doctors and hospitals until I was completely satisfied.

After reading your book, I was even more relieved. I understood your gut emotions about leaving the hospital and knowing those mixed emotions. My heart went out to you. Thank you for truly expressing your emotions.

Let me be the first to make a toast to you, Adam. Thank you for taking the time to document your journey, to allow us to participate in your family's intimate details and to relieve us all from the burden of fear.

God bless you Adam and your family,

Thank you so much!
Sherry Richardson

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Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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