NatMarfan_Summer 2015 Mag.pdf

VICTORY IS

VICTORY IS... Celebrating almost the end of my heart surgery recovery. Andrea Witte, of Anchorage, AK, is 19 years old and just finished her freshman year at the University of Nevada, Reno. It was also the year she had aortic surgery—on February 25 at Stanford University Hospital.

Andrea’s advice for anyone about to face surgery: “This will be a great challenge and a great achievement at the

same time. Everyone is different, but the best thing is to trust in your family, friends, doctors, and yourself that everything will be okay. Most of all, when the surgery is over, be proud of what you have survived and wear your scars proudly.”

SPECIAL THANKS TO ANDREA’S FRIEND, JOLIE ROSS, FOR TAKING THESE PHOTOS AS PART OF A PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS PROJECT.

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