In Philippines, Lilian Gets “Second Chance At Life” After Double Mechanical Valve Replacement

Home > Adam's Blog > Patient Stories > In Philippines, Lilian Gets “Second Chance At Life” After Double Mechanical Valve ReplacementIn Philippines, Lilian Gets “Second Chance At Life” After Double Mechanical Valve Replacement

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: September 12, 2022

The patient success stories in our community are downright wonderful. For example, I just received this inspirational email from Lilian Pena of the Philippines which reads:

Hello Adam, I am so grateful that I found your website and can interact with patients from all over the world in the community section. So you know, I suffered from anxiety the moment I discovered that I needed to undergo open heart surgery. Now, I am 6 months post-op after a double mechanical valve replacement. I received two mechanical heart valves from St. Jude Medical (which is now Abbott).

Lilian Two Weeks After Surgery

I am 45 years old with two handsome sons who are 20 and 15 years of age. Currently, I am employed by an American company here in the Philippines. I’m so grateful to my company who provided me a half million pesos for my health insurance benefits.

Regent Mechanical Heart Valve (Source: Abbott)

At HeartValveSurgery.com, I learned so much and was inspired by the patients who shared their personal stories about heart valve surgery – how did it feel, how is the recovery and how was the healing. That helped me stay very positive in life.

Heart Valve Patient with Family in Philippines

I am already 24 weeks post-op. I have lots of improvement both physically and emotionally. Thanks to God, thanks to my family, my friends, colleagues and your website. We need to continue life, give love and service to our family and help others any way we can.

I believe I have a new mission in my “second chance at life”. We are not only Heart Survivors but Heart Warriors as well!

Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

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.