Open Heart Surgery with Boots

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

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Open Heart Surgery Rehab Requires Physical Therapy & Mental Health Supports (5)

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

12/26/23 • 47 min

In this episode of "The Heart Chamber" podcast, host Boots Knighton and physical therapist Cassie Fuller discuss the importance of listening to our bodies and recognizing subtle signals for overall well-being. The conversation highlights the impact of open heart surgery and the care needed for cardiac athletes, emphasizing the importance of mental health in the healing process. Together, Boots and Cassie explore the challenges of reconciling an active lifestyle with the need for healing, and how to tune in to the body's signals to avoid overexertion. Don't miss this compelling discussion on the critical need for a holistic approach to healing and the transformative power of embracing both our physical and emotional well-being. The discussion underscores the need to consider factors beyond physical stress in the healing process and reminds us to be attentive to our body's signals for optimal health.

You can find Cassie Fuller at https://www.kilterpt.com/ or email her at [email protected]

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

How to connect with Boots

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

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Cultivating Mental Resilience: Lessons from Waiting for Open Heart Surgery -36

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

02/06/24 • 20 min

Join Boots Knighton in a thought-provoking conversation about the transformative power of reframing life's challenges. In this episode, Boots shares her experiences of waiting for open heart surgery and how she navigated through fear, impatience, and finally, acceptance. Through her personal journey, she presents valuable insights on embracing difficulties as opportunities for personal growth, resilience, and healing. Through her openness and wisdom, she challenges listeners to shift their mindset from asking "why is this happening to me?" to "why is this happening for me?" Don't miss this inspiring episode that offers a fresh perspective on navigating life's obstacles with courage and grace.

If you are looking for something specific - here's where you'll find it:

05:33 Boots shares how she endured months of fear before heart surgery, reflecting on wisdom gained.

09:39 Reflecting on heart journey, shifting the victim mindset, and focusing on moving forward.

13:41 Adopting a positive mindset can shift situations for the better. Gratitude and visualization can impact outcomes.

15:56 Despite the challenges of heart surgery, Boots feels amazing, emphasizing the importance of attitude and life's lessons.

Boots Knighton has been an educator since the late 1990s in all facets of education including high school science, middle school mathematics, elementary reading, college level ecology, ski instruction, backpacking, and experiential education. Her greatest teacher has been her heart thanks to a surprise diagnosis in 2020 (during the pandemic) of three different congenital heart defects. She is now thriving after her open-heart surgery on January 15, 2021 and is on a mission to raise awareness through her podcast, The Heart Chamber: patient stories of open-heart surgery and recovery, that heart surgery can be an incredible opportunity to begin again in life and live life wide open.

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

How to connect with Boots

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

Unveiling Stem Cells' Power: The Impact of Patches on Brain Function and Heart Health

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

03/05/24 • 56 min

#40 Guest, Darlene Greene, sheds light on a breakthrough in health technology - stem cells. She shares the potential of Lifewave patches to elevate the body's natural healing abilities, enhance brain function, and even offer respite for conditions like Alzheimer's. Darlene's firsthand account of witnessing her husband's remarkable progress after integrating these patches into their wellness journey is nothing short of inspiring. Whether you're seeking solutions for neurological decline, heart health, or simply looking to optimize your well-being, this episode offers a window into the promising world of health patches.

If you are looking for something specific - here's where you'll find it:

07:58 Lifewave products use stem cells for wellness without claiming to cure diseases.

12:10 Extensive research, testimonials, and FDA restrictions on stem cell claims. Patches led to reduced napping.

16:26 Darlene cares for her spouse with Alzheimer's, feeling hopeless and in pain.

19:22 Promoting gratitude for improving mental health and reducing medication dependency.

20:24 Addict gets clean, dies from medication mix-up, spouse on mission for alternative treatment, personal experience with skin issues.

26:16 GHKCU reduces aging effects, and increases stem cells.

27:15 GHKCU has potential health benefits for heart, brain, and cancer treatment through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gene-altering properties, without harming healthy cells.

36:14 IV and patch raise glutathione levels effectively and safely, with no contraindications or drug interactions.

37:07 Careful use of immune-boosting patches for organ transplant patients.

40:35 Peptide activates stem cells in heart, brain, and muscles, improving cardiovascular system and bone density.

43:38 Summary: A company offers patches for exercise performance and energy enhancement, with global distribution. Created by David Smith, they don't require a prescription and can be worn for 12 hours.

48:19 Offering special arrangement with Dr. Southwick for health concerns about the patches.

A Little More About Today's Guest

Darlene Greene is focused on helping people optimize their health, get to the root causes of issues that are causing illness, and get out of pain without drugs or pharmaceuticals. She wants to share the affordable photobiomodulation technology that she wishes she had known about four years ago when her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's because, after a four-year steep decline, he experienced dramatic improvement in his memory, energy, engagement, sleep, and task capabilities in his first week! He continued to regain skills like whistling and the ability to smell (which he lost 15 years ago). Darlene had a varied and unique background in the Navy and the technology industry. She is passionate about helping others improve their emotional and physical health!

Interested in how you can support this podcast?

Email Boots [email protected]

How to connect with Darlene

Website: iamreverseaging.com

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

How to connect with Boots

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

Embracing a New Beat – Tim Rogers' Victory Against Heart Arrhythmia

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

03/12/24 • 45 min

#41 Tim opens up about his intense battle against atrial fibrillation (AFib) and how it led him down the path of surgeries and self-discovery. You'll hear how his experience taught him more about the value of life, friendship, and self-care. He shares how he crushed his PT goals and the inspiring aftermath once he was free of AFib. His legal battles with insurance are also an important piece to his story which many listeners sadly will relate. This episode is as much about conquering physical peaks as it is about the emotional highs and lows of a life-altering journey.

If you are looking for something specific - here's where you'll find it:

04:24 Successful weight loss post-heart surgery transformation.

08:14 Busy life led to shocking health discovery.

13:11 Irregular heart rhythm can lead to stroke.

15:39 Struggling through divorce and stress taking toll.

18:49 Beloved Jackson hike, Tim's feat post-surgery. Insurance trauma.

22:01 Surgery was essential to go back to work, so Tim had to enlist legal help.

26:25 Professional, supportive, and unforgettable open-heart surgery experience.

28:15 Recovery, fear, and determination after medical ordeal.

30:55 Grateful for support.

37:12 From junk food to healthy eating habits.

38:08 Cholesterol medicine stopped; trainer helped improve health.

41:15 Cherishing life after overcoming adversity and health issues.

A Little More About Today's Guest

Tim Rogers lives in Jackson Wyoming and has lived there for over 31 years. He came out to Jackson after graduating from St. Mary’s College in Moraga California in June 1992. Tim came to ski for one season and never went back to California. He's a 2nd-grade teacher at Colter Elementary in town. He's also a part-time ski instructor at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Tim has 2 daughters ages 15 and 17, who really seem to think they are better skiers than him which he begs to differ because he can carve on skis and all they do is ski straight down the mountain and never turn.

Now for the not-so-fun stuff, Tim was diagnosed with AFib about 5 years ago when he was on the operating table for a hernia. One of the nurses noticed he was in AFib when she looked at the heart monitor. That was the beginning of his journey that ended up in having open heart surgery on August 25th, 2023 down at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake. Tim was in AFib 24 hours a day for months. He went through his stress test in AFib, he had 3 cardioversions in November 2022 and an ablation down in Salt Lake in December 2022. That obviously didn’t work and he was referred to another electrophysiologist down in Salt Lake. He had his maize procedure down in Salt Lake on August 25th of 2023. This surgery with a change in his diet changed his life forever. Tim got a second chance with his life and he is not going to screw this up.

How to connect with Tim

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tim.rogers.315

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

How to connect with Boots

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

How to face fear and other Coping Strategies for Pre- and Post-Heart Surgery

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

03/19/24 • 28 min

#42 Join Boots Knighton in this eye-opening episode as she addresses the emotional and psychological preparations leading up to open heart surgery. Through an email from a listener, Boots explores the profound impact of past trauma and loss on the prospect of surgery, discussing the fears and anxieties that accompany such a life-altering procedure. Boots offers a unique perspective that delves into the intersection of mental health, resilience, and the challenging journey towards recovery. If you're curious about the emotional complexities of navigating major surgery, this episode provides a compelling and thoughtful exploration of courage, vulnerability, and the power of hope in the face of adversity. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter!**

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

How to connect with Boots

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

The Power of Presence and Intuition in Heart Surgery with Dr. Fazzino

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

03/26/24 • 67 min

#43 Boots Knighton and Dr. Dolores Fazzino discuss how heart surgery impacts the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Uncover the power of being in the moment and how intuition can guide life-changing decisions. Dr. Fazzino shares her transformative health care journey, the healing potential of energy work, and the role spirituality plays in medical recovery. Explore the challenges heart patients face with depression, the surprising effects of organ transplants, and why expressing love for our bodies is vital. Dive into this powerful conversation on self-discovery and wellness and learn how emotional healing can lead to a balanced, joy-filled life.

Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter!**

A Little More About Today's Guest

Dr. Dolores Fazzino, a trailblazing thought leader, visionary, and innovator, is revolutionizing the realm of energy healing. As a renowned Nurse Practitioner, Medical Intuitive, and Energy Whisperer, she fearlessly combines the power of intuition and trust to facilitate profound transformations. Driven by a deep belief in the body's innate wisdom, she guides individuals on a transformative journey, empowering them to tap into their own healing potential. Prepare to be captivated by Dr. Fazzino's unique blend of intuition, energy healing expertise, and unwavering trust in the body's innate ability to heal itself.

How to connect with Dr. Fazzino

Website: drdoloresfazzino.com/

Instagram: @drdoloresfazzino

Facebook: www.facebook.com/drdolores.fazzino

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doloresfazzino

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@dr.doloresfazzino

Podcast: *The Dr. Dolores Fazzino Show

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

How to connect with Boots

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

From Heart Defect to Triple Transplant Triumph

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

04/09/24 • 34 min

In episode 45 of The Heart Chamber Podcast, we dive into Aimee Mackovic's inspiring journey through a triple organ transplant during the pandemic. An accomplished poet and English professor from Austin, Texas, Aimee shares her battle with a congenital heart defect and subsequent heart and liver failures. Her memoir, "Contains Recycled Parts," available on Amazon, details this life-altering experience. Aimee was born with a congenital defect and needed the Fontan procedure at 15 months old. To her surprise, she learned at age 44, she would need a new heart and liver and then, eventually, a new kidney. We discuss the challenges she faced, including recovery, the importance of understanding medical information, and the invaluable role of community support. Aimee emphasizes the significance of emotional readiness and the impact of writing as a healing tool. Tune in to hear her incredible story of resilience and the life-saving power of organ donation.

A Little More About Today's Guest

Aimee Mackovic was born with a congenital defect (a hole in the middle of her heart) and underwent her first open heart surgery at 15 months for a pulmonary banding, which was a temporary fix. That "fix" lasted until she was 22 years old. At 22, Aimee underwent another open-heart surgery to potentially now repair the hole. Due to the nature of the defect, a full repair was not possible, so they did a newly touted Fontan procedure, which was meant to be a bridge surgery to an eventual heart transplant. Well, another 22 years later with another hospital stay, she is admitted to Dell's Children Hospital in Austin, TX with heart and liver failure. The very complex and urgent nature of her case caused her to be taken on by Stanford Hospital in California, where she received her heart and liver on December 13th, 2019. She received a kidney transplant in June of 2022. In June of 2023, she moved back to Austin, TX, where she resumed her teaching life at Austin Community College and her social life with her friends. Her memoir, Contains Recycled Parts, is a humorous, gut-wrenching look at her triple-transplant journey.

How to connect with Aimee

Instagram: @aimeemackovic

Website: www.aimeemackovic.com

Book: Contains Recycled Parts - https://twosisterswriting.com/book/contains-recycled-parts/

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

How to connect with Boots

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

Be A Proactive Patient: Using Your Genetic Blueprint For Heart Health -47

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

04/23/24 • 50 min

**Alert! The name of this podcast is changing on June 4th to Open Heart Surgery with Boots! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the announcement. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter!**

Imagine if knowing your genes could help you live a healthier, more informed life... Well, that's exactly what we're exploring in this enthralling installment of The Heart Chamber Podcast. Join Boots Knighton as she converses with Elwin Robinson of Genetic Insights, who unlocks the dynamic interaction between our genes and everyday health. This episode gives you a glimpse into how genetic predispositions can dictate your body's needs - and we're not just talking about the usual suspects like heart health and cholesterol. Targeted genetic testing reveals much more, and we nudge the door open on topics like homocysteine levels, the impact of lifestyle on genetic expression, and the importance of specific nutrient profiles. Plus, you’ll hear Boots' own journey of discovery that might resonate with your own health experiences. Excited yet? There's a wealth of knowledge to unearth, so plug in, take notes, and let's decode your health together on The Heart Chamber Podcast!

To explore Genetic Insights and receive 25% off your blueprint, To find out about your Genetics, visit: GENETICINSIGHTS.CO And use coupon Code: HEARTCHAMBER For 25% OFF!

A Little More About Today's Guest

In 2019 Elwin Robinson developed severe digestive issues which ruined his life, causing constant pain, anxiety, severe weight loss and countless emergency room visits.

Surprisingly, this was despite having owned several health businesses for over 10 years, and living a lifestyle that was healthier than 99% of people.

Worst of all, no one he saw, from medical doctors to dozens of different alternative health practitioners, was able to work out what was wrong or offer any help.

Then in 2021 he discovered the power of genetic testing, which finally gave him the answers that no one else had been able to provide.

How to connect with Elwin

Website: www.FeelYounger.net

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/elwinrobinson

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/elwinrobinson

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

How to connect with Boots

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

From Pediatric to Adult Care: Navigating Life with a Complex Heart Condition

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

11/21/23 • 32 min

#25 Join host Boots Knighton as she welcomes Leigh Kamping-Carder, the mind behind The Heart Dialogues, to delve into the realities of living with a complex heart defect. She shares her journey of childhood surgeries from tricuspid atresia to navigating the uncharted waters of adult care. Leigh sheds light on the emotional toll of her condition, while offering hope and support to others facing similar battles.

A Little More About Today's Guest

Leigh Kamping-Carder is the writer of The Heart Dialogues, a free newsletter featuring candid conversations and writing for people born with heart conditions (and the people who care about them). She was born with a complex heart defect called tricuspid atresia and had three heart surgeries before the age of 4, including a Fontan operation. She is also a professional journalist, currently heading up the newsletters team at one of the top newspapers in the U.S. She has been a reporter, editor and digital journalist for a decade and a half, covering everything from luxury homes to innovation to arts and culture.

How to connect with Leigh

Newsletter: theheartdialogues.substack.com

Twitter: @Leigh_KC

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

How to connect with Boots

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to: