Open Heart Surgery with Boots

**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...

#46 What does it feel like 24 hours after open-heart surgery? Cheryl Ilov strips the mystery away, providing an intimate narration of the OR's intense atmosphere. From the beep of the monitors to the whoosh of the ventilator, Cheryl guides listeners through the process as if they are right there in the room. Host Boots Knighton offers perspective from the patient's side, revealing what it's like t...

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 experie...

#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 int...

#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 hi...

#39 Boots Knighton, with her signature blend of warmth and wisdom, opens up about life before and after the operating room. As Boots recounts the trials of her recovery, you'll find yourself drawn into a narrative filled with practical advice on managing post-surgery health and emotional well-being. From the surprising impact of diet to the tactics for coping with hospital stays, this episode is p...

**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 !** #38 I dove deep this week, for you fellow heart buddies. I share how I overcame fear and cultivated a positive mindset for healing. I share about my experience with the power of visualization, drawing from pe...

In episode 37 of the Heart Chamber Podcast, host Boots Knighton shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with a heart condition. She discusses the challenges she faced and the strategies she used to cope, including seeking support from friends and professionals, undergoing therapies like EMDR, acupuncture, and reiki, and embracing the power of community. Despite the initial shock and medical...

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, res...

Embark on an unforgettable episode of The Heart Chamber Podcast as Boots Knighton shares her remarkable journey of overcoming adversity and finding resilience amidst life’s unexpected challenges. From her powerful recollection of breaking her leg in a skiing accident to her thought-provoking reflections on the impact of trauma on heart health, Boots delves into the depths of her personal experienc...

**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 !** In episode 34 of The Heart Chamber Podcast, nutrition expert Michelle Routhenstein shares valuable insights on heart health and nutrition. She emphasizes the importance of personalized care and finding qualif...

In this episode of The Heart Chamber Podcast, host Boots Knighton interviews guest Robyn Peacock about her journey with a bicuspid aortic valve, misdiagnoses, and ultimate recovery from open heart surgery. Robyn emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, proactive healthcare, and trusting one's instincts when it comes to medical concerns. The discussion sheds light on the emotional and mental asp...

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...

**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 !** In this emotionally charged episode of The Heart Chamber Podcast, host Boots Knighton takes listeners on a raw and powerful journey through her harrowing experiences with open heart surgery and her complicate...

#28 Buckle up for a thought-provoking exploration of the often overlooked relationship between gut health and overall well-being in this episode featuring Boots Knighton and Josh Dech. Josh reveals the impact of gut bacteria on genetic function, immunity, and even behavior. Delve into the essential role of gut health in post-surgery recovery and uncover insightful strategies for priming the body's...

#26 Host Boots Knighton invites guest Jacque Avalon, a nurse, to share her inspiring story of thriving post open heart surgery. Jacque's journey began when she went to the emergency room with chest pain, which turned out to be a rare condition called double chambered right ventricle. It took some advocacy and prompting from Jacque's primary care physician for a full work to be completed. This led...

#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 sim...

#24 From a life-altering heart attack to a misplaced bypass graft, embark on a rollercoaster ride of resilience and self-discovery with Sherri Hansen. Sherri walks us through her heart attack diagnosis and subsequent open-heart surgeries. This story is important and is a reason why we all need to be our own best advocates. If you are looking for something specific - here's where you'll find it: [0...

#22 Guest, Cody McKay, shares his journey with an ascending aortic aneurysm and how it impacted his life as a young athlete. He discusses the importance of considering cardiac health and the effects it can have on sports and overall well-being. Cody highlights the need for awareness and support for individuals dealing with heart conditions, emphasizing that age and athleticism are not exempt from...

#21 Christine Boev, a healthcare provider, mother, sister, daughter, and ICU nurse with a wealth of experience shares her journey through the realms of nursing, from her early days as a novice nurse to her current role as the chair of an undergraduate nursing program. We'll also delve into the intense and emotional world of pediatric ICU nursing and the ethical dilemmas that arise when making life...

Are you, or someone you love, looking at the possibility of open heart surgery? Join Boots Knighton, an educator, athlete, and heart patient, on her podcast, The Heart Chamber. With a surprise diagnosis and subsequent surgery at 42, Boots knows firsthand the challenges and fears that come with facing this procedure. In The Heart Chamber, she shares insightful conversations, reflective interviews,...

#20 Boots shares how much she has grown from launching this podcast as well as all the people she has had the priviledge to meet with Michael Moeri, the sound guru for this podcast. She also shares recent developments with her health and the importance of holistic dentistry. Michael reflects as well on how he met Boots and the episodes that touched him. You can hear Boots in Episode 209 – Making F...

#18 Kathy Hoseth was the first patient to be unroofed for her myocardial bridge in the state of Michigan at age 58. She began experiencing symptoms at age 8 from a myocardial bridge but would not receive the diagnosis until age 58. Throughout childhood, she couldn't catch her breath, her legs hurt, and she just didn't feel right. She even passed out when standing in line for too long in high schoo...

Belen Blanton was born with tricuspid atresia in Caracas, Venezuela back in 1965. When she was born, many doctors told her mom that she was not going to make it. Fortunately, her mother took her to a cardiologist that had contact with Houston Children's hospital in Texas, where she had surgery, a Potts Shunt procedure performed by Dr. Denton Cooley. From age 15 she began to experience complication...

On March 4, 1976, Jason Crutchley was born with 4 congenital heart defects: Atrial Septal Defect, Transposition of the Great Vessels, Sub-Aortic Stenosis and Pulmonary Atresia. In layman terms, he was born with 1 chamber of my heart working, not 4! All four defects individually are very common in males, but to have all 4 in 1 is extremely rare. At six weeks old, he underwent his first surgery call...