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"Happy Anniversary!" To Robert Following Bicuspid Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery

By Adam Pick on August 9, 2012

I wanted to extend a big "Happy Anniversary!" to Robert Anderson from Groton, Massachusetts. As you can read in his note below, Robert had a congenital bicuspid aortic valve that needed to be replaced. Here is more from Robert about his journey and his celebration:

Hi Adam - I just wanted to say 'Thank you' for the book. I just passed my 1st anniversary for stenotic bicuspid aortic valve replacement and an ascending aortic resection for a non-ruptured aneurysm at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. My wife bought your book a few weeks before my surgery and I still thumb through it (more so the last few chapters now).

Robert Anderson - Heart Valve Replacement Patient

Here's a photo taken a little less than 3 months after the surgeries.

I flew down to Virginia to visit my siblings and other relatives. I'm originally from there. My brother and I spent 6 hours walking around the Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport outside of Washington, D.C. It's a great place to visit and a really good workout!

I was in the hospital for about 10 days. I had a little trouble clearing the anesthesia. Also, after almost 10 days at home, I passed out and took a spill. Turns out that I had pneumonia and a collapsed lung. So back to the hospital for 10 days. Then, the real recovery started in earnest. You know, I NEVER remember having any pain after the surgery. I still have the feeling of my heart pounding but it is only rarely noticeable now -- versus constantly the fist several months. I still have some trouble sleeping.

I am a young 64 and am so grateful to be here to share my children's and grand children's lives... and to just be here. It was pretty scarey but forced me to 'get all my affairs in order' and your book helped prepare my wife and I for the process.

Best wishes!

Robert Anderson
Groton, Massachusetts

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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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