Update: Famous People And Heart Valve Surgery

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*peers into thread*

Ya know ... some of us could be considered "famous", too ... guess it depends on that definition:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/lifestyles/319004,3_5_EL29_BROKERED_S1.article


And ... for the life of me I can't remember the name, but what about that boy who was highlighted on a local TV newscast just recently? [I am VERY VERY VERY SORRY that I do not remember the name ... sadly, I am NOT good at names.....................]


ALSO ... not sure if anyone else mentioned it or not (sorry, if so ... again, didn't recognize the name), but one of the winter US olympic contestants had heart surgery, too....



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I got 1 shot left" ... Sylvia ... 'Nobody'
 
Cort,

Are you thinking of Shawn White AKA "the flying tomato". He was born with tetralogy of fallot and had surgery as a infant or toddler. He won a gold metal in snow boarding.

Debbie
 
Well, probably shouldn't even ...........

Well, probably shouldn't even ...........

bother posting a response as I am always a day or five late...........skipped this a few times, but you know the old saying about the moth being drawn to the flame.............sigh!

My initial response was the same as Kathleen's. Why are their surgeries any more important than anyone else's? It's almost demeaning. Who gives a rat's patootie about what celebs have had VR? :confused: Not I, that's for darn sure, but, after reading some of your responses, I guess some of you are. To each your own. As for me, I care not. I don't see how their surgical experiences are any different than most people's - except they probably didn't have to worry about paying for it, nor did they have to worry about losing their jobs or using up their sick days and getting docked, nor trying to get through to the surgeon or making appointments and setting surgery dates - did you catch Niki's thread a couple of weeks ago? or sharing rooms or worry about nursing care as you know they would be well-attended to - can't risk bad publicity, you know, or getting to the medical facility in the first place. I doubt seriously if they had to take a train 1500 miles across the country to get to the best surgeon for the job and then take it back again............and then do that two more times just for grins...............

Quite frankly, my daughter may not be a bonafide celebrity according to the masses, but she is to me! She is my idol and my inspiration in life. Katie is the most courageous and resilient person I know. If the so-called celebs had faced half of what this child has gone through in her six short years, and they still managed to laugh and smile and raise nine kinds of Hades like she does, then they might begin to measure up in my book. Until then, my own little American Idol is the only one that I care about. Well, Katie and the rest of my VR family idols................and there are many, I must admit.

And, for what it is worth, that little girl golfer - the one who had to fight to use the golf cart - can't remember her name (told ya I don't track crap like that, but this one I probably should have as she might come in handy one day as an example for Katie). She had congenital heart defects, but I think she had to have a valve replaced, too, soon after her tournament. Lyn probably remembers her name.

Okay, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. :D Hugs. J.
 
Interesting thread and opinions.......I wonder how those in the "waiting room" feel about the celebrities list? It seems to me, they are the intended audience for compiling it.

My "waiting room" experience....I don't normally follow celebs and wouldn't have been able to tell you who had OHS. However, after I was diagnosed I learned "The Terminator" had OHS. The fact that I didn't know that and here he was in the public limelight doing all the stuff he is doing, well that just boosted my confidence at a time when I thought my world as I knew it was over. It wasn't that his surgery was more important, nor was it that his surgerical experience was any different. It was simply the fact this very public figure had it done and I didn't even notice as his life didn't seem to skip a beat. I think if a list of celebrities helps even a few in the waiting room, I think it's worth compiling. Just my 2 cents (I sell my opinions cheap :D )
 
While I was "in the waiting room" for my OHS I found it very comforting to hear about and follow the OHS of "famous people" in the news.....I hadn't found the VR site and was convinced that OHS would be the death of me!

A previous neighbour of mine was found dead on the steps in his house. He was 45, with a lovely wife and 2 small daughters.

Then the John Ritter sudden death freaked me out.

We all take what we need from these stories; be it reassurance for a smooth recovery, or a good kick in the butt to have the surgery.
 
Former President Clinton had bypass surgery about 4 (?) months after I did. He had complicatons which required a second surgery. I was at my cardio's that week and commented about it and my cardio said......"And he had the best doctors in the world" ???
These famous people are mere people just like the rest of us but they are examples, as well. For me, I thought myself so lucky at that moment that my surgeons got it right the first time and I didn't require additional surgery (at that time) even though I : may now.
That lifted my spirits at a time when I needed it.

I hadn't found VR.com yet and I was starved for info about OHS in general and complications and others who had gone through it and recuperation. Becuase Clinton's surgery was in the news, I was able to cull info from all the doctors (talking heads) who put themselves on TV to talk about it.

My surgery was an emergency and I knew absolutely NOTHING what to expect. I had no pre-admission info meetings. My talk with my surgeon was when I was on a heart pump. Not a great position to be in while trying to learn what they were doing to my heart. I felt very alone in this world of OHS and celebrity info was way better than none.

Then I found YOU and am so very grateful as I now face possible MR repair.
There is a place in the world of OHS (VR) for those who's celebrity triggers news and conversation IMO

On the other hand, I sooo understand and agree about how in so many ways we everyday people struggle so much harder and face so many more obstacles
 
gijanet said:
bother posting a response as I am always a day or five late...........skipped this a few times, but you know the old saying about the moth being drawn to the flame.............sigh!

My initial response was the same as Kathleen's. Why are their surgeries any more important than anyone else's? It's almost demeaning. Who gives a rat's patootie about what celebs have had VR? :confused: Not I, that's for darn sure, but, after reading some of your responses, I guess some of you are. To each your own. As for me, I care not. I don't see how their surgical experiences are any different than most people's - except they probably didn't have to worry about paying for it, nor did they have to worry about losing their jobs or using up their sick days and getting docked, nor trying to get through to the surgeon or making appointments and setting surgery dates - did you catch Niki's thread a couple of weeks ago? or sharing rooms or worry about nursing care as you know they would be well-attended to - can't risk bad publicity, you know, or getting to the medical facility in the first place. I doubt seriously if they had to take a train 1500 miles across the country to get to the best surgeon for the job and then take it back again............and then do that two more times just for grins...............

Quite frankly, my daughter may not be a bonafide celebrity according to the masses, but she is to me! She is my idol and my inspiration in life. Katie is the most courageous and resilient person I know. If the so-called celebs had faced half of what this child has gone through in her six short years, and they still managed to laugh and smile and raise nine kinds of Hades like she does, then they might begin to measure up in my book. Until then, my own little American Idol is the only one that I care about. Well, Katie and the rest of my VR family idols................and there are many, I must admit.

And, for what it is worth, that little girl golfer - the one who had to fight to use the golf cart - can't remember her name (told ya I don't track crap like that, but this one I probably should have as she might come in handy one day as an example for Katie). She had congenital heart defects, but I think she had to have a valve replaced, too, soon after her tournament. Lyn probably remembers her name.

Okay, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. :D Hugs. J.
Click to expand...


ITA and you are thinking of Mac Kline, (who I might add is very good even at her young age w/ working to raise awareness and funding)
your post made me think of others things the "famous" probably don't have to deal with /worry about.
beside worrying about money/jobs, I bet the famous don't have to wish year after year they could just have a nice restful/fun vacation after the stress, but even IF they manage to save money for a vacation, after paying copays, hospital parking and meals at the hospital ect, they never have vacation time left to take one, since all their "vacation time" goes to hospital stays and doctors visits and hopefully next year they can have one.
 
Lynlw said:
ITA and you are thinking of Mac Kline, (who I might add is very good even at her young age w/ working to raise awareness and funding)
your post made me think of others things the "famous" probably don't have to deal with /worry about.
beside worrying about money/jobs, I bet the famous don't have to wish year after year they could just have a nice restful/fun vacation after the stress, but even IF they manage to save money for a vacation, after paying copays, hospital parking and meals at the hospital ect, they never have vacation time left to take one, since all their "vacation time" goes to hospital stays and doctors visits and hopefully next year they can have one.
Click to expand...

AMEN, SISTER!:p
But to get back on the thread track . . . Adam, I think you must be a celebrity yourself. A google of Ross procedure brought your name, and your book, up first. Since you had the Ross procedure, are you including your story in your new book?
 
Everyone here is a star in my book:D Unfortunately though I am not writing one. I love you all tons and tons and if I did write a book it would be dedicated to all of YOU!!!!!:) :) :) Thanks Adam for helping others prepare for their heart journey. I sure wish I had VR.com and now your book for information before I had my surgery. Best wishes!!;)
 
Mary said:
AMEN, SISTER!:p
But to get back on the thread track . . . Adam, I think you must be a celebrity yourself. A google of Ross procedure brought your name, and your book, up first. Since you had the Ross procedure, are you including your story in your new book?
Click to expand...
Mary, Adams story is in his first book, i bought it, good story but not really any help to me and Curtis.
 
Curtsmum said:
Mary, Adams story is in his first book, i bought it, good story but not really any help to me and Curtis.
Click to expand...

Thanks Paula, for the heads up!
But . . . .
I was hoping that I would be able to read Adam's Ross procedure story here on the forum. :( :( :(
 
Debbrn said:
Cort,

Are you thinking of Shawn White AKA "the flying tomato". He was born with tetralogy of fallot and had surgery as a infant or toddler. He won a gold metal in snow boarding.

Debbie
Click to expand...

*nods*

YES ... Shawn White is the person of whom I was thinking last night and could NOT for the life of me remember the name. Go figure.

Thank you :).


Still haven't been able to remember who that other kid was though....sorry :(.



hensylee said:
a famous radio star - our very own Mr Wheels himself:

CORT!
Click to expand...


*grins*

Why thank you, hensylee ;). He he



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"A heart that's hopeful" ... Michael W Smith ... 'Place In This World'
 
knightfan2691 said:
*nods*

YES ... Shawn White is the person of whom I was thinking last night and could NOT for the life of me remember the name. Go figure.

Thank you :).


Still haven't been able to remember who that other kid was though....sorry :(.






*grins*

Why thank you, hensylee ;). He he



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"A heart that's hopeful" ... Michael W Smith ... 'Place In This World'
Click to expand...

Are talking about a member here? if so you are probably thinking of Brian who had the pump
 
Lynlw said:
Are talking about a member here? if so you are probably thinking of Brian who had the pump
Click to expand...

Yes ... think you are right. He was featured on a local TV newscast....
 
Many of you probably don't remember Robby Benson, but as a girl of the 70's, I certainly do. What a hunk! Search for Tomorrow, Ode to Billy Joe, and Ice Castles all showcased his "hotness". Anyway, he had heart valve surgery in 1984 and since I was in the "waiting room" at that time, it was important to me to "know" another young person who had been through it and lived to tell about it.
 
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