Every Heart Beat

09/18/2026

❤️ WHEN YOU HAVE IT, YOU GET IT.

For this year’s Aortic Dissection Awareness Week (ADAW) Collaboration, we’re proud to share the TV awareness spots featuring Carin and Terri.

Both Carin and Terri survived aortic dissections and more. But the missions of Aortic Hope and go far beyond surviving a dissection.

Our shared goal is to help people THINK AORTA. THINK FAMILY.

Because the best dissection is the one we can help prevent.

Knowing your family history, recognizing risk factors, and getting appropriate screening may help identify aortic disease BEFORE an emergency occurs.

When in doubt, check it out , because Awareness Saves Aortas Period.

📺 Check out Carin and Terri’s awareness spots here and help us spread a message that could save a life.

https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/lindsey-grahams-death-spotlight-aortic-disease-survivors-aortic-hope-raises-awareness/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAUXadJwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHuyrFeJyVsZhSDfIqS2ZWTUP-0BGsH5BikY6djLkvqTXoSMMI-xo5J5gYk95_aem_K_oz2_kicYcyglI8pXei7Q

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1N1jAUx26Y/

❤️ THINK AORTA. THINK FAMILY.

The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health Rock from the Heart The Marfan Foundation Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation Canada Fondation du syndrome de Loeys-Dietz Genetic Aortic Disorders Association Canada

09/18/2026

The tasks no one sees.

📋 Remember appointments
❓ Prepare questions
📁 Manage documents
👀 Notice symptoms
💪 Stay strong when things are uncertain

Caregiving in Amyloidosis often happens quietly — in the background,
every single day. 💛

💾 Save this post and share it with someone who needs to feel seen.

09/18/2026

09/18/2026

We were so glad to have Kiefer Sutherland stop by and dine with us at Cattlemen’s yesterday! 🎬 What’s your favorite movie or show he’s been in? 👀

09/18/2026

🤔 Who is a caregiver in Amyloidosis?

A partner. A parent. A child. A friend. Someone close. 🤝

They may not always call themselves "caregivers". But every day, they
show up. 💛

09/18/2026

❤️ WHAT HAPPENS AFTER AORTIC SURGERY?

You’ve made it through surgery—but what happens next?

In his latest The African Perfusionist post, Emmanuel Mbaka walks patients and families through one of the biggest questions surrounding recovery:

“What Should I Expect During My First Week in the Hospital? The First Days After Aortic Surgery”

From waking up in the ICU and understanding all those tubes and monitors, to getting out of bed, walking the halls, managing pain, breathing exercises and preparing to go home, Emmanuel helps take some of the mystery—and hopefully some of the fear—out of those first important days.

It’s especially fitting to share this today as we recognize , and .

Knowledge helps patients feel prepared. Preparation helps patients feel empowered. ❤️

Read Emmanuel’s latest The African Perfusionist post and learn what those first days of recovery may look like.

"One of the biggest questions patients have before surgery is:

"What will happen when I wake up?"

The answer can be different for every person, because recovery depends on the type of operation, your health, and how your body responds to surgery.

But there are some things you may experience.

You may wake up in an intensive care unit surrounded by monitors, tubes, and equipment.

You may have a breathing tube initially.

You may have intravenous lines, drains, urinary catheters, and other monitoring devices.

And you may look around and think:

"What happened to me?"

Remember, many of these things are there because your team is closely monitoring and supporting you during those early hours of recovery.

As you become more awake and stable, some of those tubes and lines will gradually be removed according to your clinical team's assessment.

You may experience pain or discomfort.

You may feel weak.
You may not sleep normally.
You may not have much appetite.
And emotionally, you may feel different from what you expected.
Some people feel relieved.Some feel anxious.
Some feel frustrated because they thought they would feel better immediately.
But major surgery takes a lot from the body.