In Memory of Robin Williams, Oscar Winning Actor & Fellow Heart Valve Patient

Well said! Thank you Adam!

Loved Robin too. Feel like the universe cracked open and stole him away wrongly and way too soon. God bless his loved ones

Bye bye to one of our community!
I admired and liked him way too much as an actor, human being, comedian, openness and shared laughter and an open heart, just like him.
I was extremely sad when I learnt years ago of his diversified problems, but it completely shocked me to know that, one way or another, he felt alone.
Sad, sad, loss.
Patricia Muñoz from Mexico City.

Thanks Adam for including the spellbinding PARK BENCH SCENE from “Good Will Hunting” in your tribute to Robin Williams. I had forgotten just how moving and POWERFUL that scene was and how Robin did most of it in a LONG take, with no cutaways. He was a genius in everything he did. As for his depression, from which I also suffer, was probably not helped by his surgery. It is a proven fact the many, many people suffer from memory loss and depression following heart surgery due to being on the heart-lung machine for long procedures. My surgery was in April and I am still having severe sporadic memory loss and my depression has gotten marginally worse. But I am working on things to improve my memory (reading, crosswords, etc>) and fighting depression.

Very well stated, Adam. I think we all are feeling a loss re Robin’s passing. He was a wonderful person and great entertainer and actor. Someone we will never forget.
RIP Robin Williams.

Thank you for sharing Adam! My heart sank when I learned of his passing. He will be greatly missed! My condolences to his beautiful family and all his loved ones.

Makes me so sad to hear of Robin Williams passing, I think maybe he just got tired of making people laugh, he will be greatly missed! Lois McFarland

I grew up with Mork & Mindy and remember so many other great things Robin was known for. I had no idea he too, experienced the surgeries as well. That to me was a surprise. It has now been 2 years since my surgery and start to realize some depression set in. Life is so different. I try to work through it day by day. I know that depression is nothing to look the other way about.

Remembering Robin and the laughter he brought to so many keeps me up along with the help of family and friends. He will be missed at such a young age.

I, like all of us who loved his humor and his charity will truly miss this man. Godspeed Robin. I choose to remember your lighter side and it always brings a smile to my face.

Feel a great sadness ever since I heard. He was my favorite actor an comedian. I always felt a special connection because we each had our valve surgeries performed by Marc Gillinov at the Cleveland Clinic. Once, after his surgery he remarked that he had a bovine valve and now wants to moo and eat grass! He was special. Hope he is entertaining everyone in heaven. RIP Robin.

I felt very sad too. After having been through so much, what a tragedy. Thank you for your kind message Adam and sharing some good movie moments. My condolences to his family and all his close friends.

Ditto what Fran posted. RIP Robin Williams. He introduced me to my heart surgeon on the David Letterman show.

I met Robin Williams before he was an alien, just doing stand up comedy in some of the off beat venues…..laughed for two days after! But the other side of him is what made him stand out; his generosity of his time and money, his many unpublicized visits to our troops, and his willingness to discuss his frailties including his heart condition. He will be dearly missed by all of us and as someone said yesterday….He’s probably making God laugh.
Aloha Robin and have a fantastic journey!
Judy Hatch, Kaneohe, HI

Three and a half years ago, as I faced my open heart surgery to replace and congenitally defective mitral valve, I tuned into the Barbara Walters special regarding open heart surgery. It was by chance that I got to see the program. I had originally been scheduled to undergo surgery that day, but a concern regarding a stye on my eyelid had postponed my surgery to the following Tuesday. As I watched the show, I was struck by how all these amazing celebrity idols of mine- Bill Clinton, Barbara Walters, David Letterman and the amazing Robin Williams, who was, like me, the recipient of a bovine valve- had the same fears as I did about having surgery and, now post-operatively, were in awe of the success of their surgery and the skill of their respective surgeons. I can’t explain how this show affected me, or the courage it gave me, but ever since that night, I have held all of these folks in a higher regard, and Robin Williams will always have a special place in my own mended heart.

yes he will be missed and what a sad day that he had to take his own life for that he will pay sorry he chose that way to go i really loved his good morning viet nam i am a viet nam veteran

I was very saddened to hear of Robin Williams death. He had a profound influence on my life both in terms of his acting and with respect to my own heart valve surgery. In 2009, I saw his interview with Dave Letterman regarding his surgery and his profound praise of Marc Gillinov, his surgeon. It was at a time when I was seeking a surgeon for my own defective valve. Because of Robin, I contacted Dr. Gillinov, travelled to Cleveland and had a very successful surgery. Had it not been for Robin Williams, I would not have even heard of Dr. Gillinov. Had I had a different surgeon, who knows what might have happened.

I was shocked to hear what happened to Robin such a shame. To hide so much from so many what a sad day. Such a great actor he will be sadly missed by many. He brought tears and laughter to millions. I hope he is at peace on his chosen path.

I remember when I had mitro repair in 2012. I was told that the room I was in was the same room Robin Williams was in. I guess the other rooms were all filled up so I got the executive suite by chance?
Nice 180 degree view outside !

I was so saddened by his loss. He was truly an inspiration.

It’s kind of weird how I somehow feel connected to Robin Williams after his death. Or at least I can relate to his alcoholism and depression. I have read a lot so far about his death and his surgery. A few Cardiologists have mentioned that heart surgery patients can become depressed after the surgery. Especially those that are already on the depressive side. Though one did say that it is unlikely for someone to get so depressed that they would take their life. I disagree.

I am a recovering alcoholic. Twenty two years sober. I was 17 years sober when I had open heart surgery. I was already in a bad place in my life due to the economy. It was May 2009. I could not stop crying after the surgery; it went on for several weeks. Then I was just depressed. Suicide crossed my mind many times for three years after. I was too broke to go to therapy and I was sure my depression had nothing to do with the surgery as I had so many other things to “be depressed” about. (ie: losing my house, my car, my dog of 14 years, then had to leave the apartment I was living in after I lost my house because I could no longer afford it. This was all in one year.) Oh and I had my surgery that year too. 🙂 I have been on your blog several times and have heard stories from other patients feeling depressed after their surgery. I also read many posts from those that were not warned that depression COULD occur. I did however feel a little better knowing I wasn’t alone and I wasn’t creating it.

Three years after the surgery I entered into an awful depression. Worse than ever. Now, suicide didn’t just cross my mind, I was seriously contemplating it. I was fortunate enough at this time to now be able to afford therapy. I found an incredible therapist that basically “kept me alive” and I was able to pull out of it. (I do also take an anti-depressant) It took a little over a year. But, we did it!

I am sharing this in case there is anybody else who has mild depression to begin with, has heart surgery, then the depression worsens. I truly believe there is a link with some people. And, I truly believe with the right type of therapy, you do not have to end your life. I wish Robin Williams had found what I found.

Hopefully his death will raise some more awareness about depression; and, awareness to the link with heart surgery. So many people believe depression is something you can just pull yourself out of. It’s not like that at all. It’s horrible. RIP Mr. Williams.

Ironic: I saw William’s on a talk show Ellen Devenous(sp) she asked him if he felt Depressed after heart surgery as she heard many people are, His response was.. NO I WAS HAPPY TO BE ALIVE. I remembered that 2 mons ago when I had mine.
My short story… I am in NYC Williams had his done in Cleveland Ohio could not go too far therefore I went to 5 different surgeon’s for FIVE options..I had to pick one! On 6/13/14( Fri. the 13th) I have to go to the hospital…. like most I waited too long. Like a Knuclehead I thought the severe Mitral stenosis would go away!! That evening I had a hard time breathing for no reason and ankles were swelling!
I chose Dr.David Adams at Mount Sinai. I was previously scheduled for surgery 7/30/14 after I chose on of the five…Because of my situation he brought me in that night.
Let me finish by saying.. previously I must have watched EVERY video on Heart surgery on You Tube and many surgeons web sites. Naturally I was no looking forward to Heart Surgery. Many of those videos are scary!!!! At the hospital I had to wait for 5 days on IV lasix Too much edema for surgery….FINALLY on the day of surgery in the operating room the anesthesiologist said he was going to give a GREAT IV margarita……………………….I woke up in the ICU…I looked down and realized surgery was done. On the next day.. I was sitting one the bed …day two I was standing and sitting in a chair..day three I was walking to the bathroom..day four walking in the ward…Day five the nurses had a hard time finding me to give meds…..I was walking in the halls and going to the visitors snack bar and in the day room. ..day six ready to go home…day seven went home.
I must tell those in fear of heart surgery….I had NO PAIN!!! AMAZING. Nothing like the Video’s that stopped me from having this done for years. Again, no pain I took one tylenol I thought I should!!!… People and friends always ask what was the worse thing about the surgery… I have to admit the was ONE BAD thing…………I always got a roommate that snored. Bring good ear plugs…only thing needed!!
BTW: I have Mitral and Aortic valves replaced and tricuspid repaired….The midline bone incision is half the usual lenght ..Dr. Adams has a technique of lifting the skin and opening the midline for full surgery…Can wear a V neck shirt with NO scar.
Walking miles in Manhattan .. and will run for 2 miles tomorrow….63 y.o feel like I am 20…Friends if you need it… get it done!!…Remember get Good ear plugs!!!!!!

Thank you so much for posting this! I was recently told that my mild aortic stenosis is now severe and I am meeting with a valve specialist, Dr. Carabello, this week, but I know your Dr. Adams is one of the surgeons at Mount Sinai/ Beth Israel also, so you’ve made me feel a lot better about the whole process. I’m still terrified, but I’m 45, a runner, and want to continue with a long and active life, so surgery is likely necessary. Wishing you continued success in your recovery! Thank you!