Hey Heart Buddies! So sorry for the delay in the next season. I'm working hard to heal and am beginning to interview future guests now. So much more is coming! Be sure to follow so you don't miss future episodes.

The latest episode of Open Heart Surgery offers an unfiltered glimpse into Boots Knighton's recent heart surgery journey, revealing the raw emotions and challenges she faced along the way. Joined by her close friend Melissa, Boots recounts the series of events that led to her surgery, including the medical missteps that compounded her struggles and the eventual diagnosis that changed her course of treatment. Throughout the episode, Boots navigates her feelings of fear, vulnerability, and hope, providing a candid look at the psychological toll of living with heart issues. The conversation not only sheds light on the medical aspects of her journey but also emphasizes the significance of having a reliable support system during such trying times. As Boots shares her post-surgery experiences, including the process of regaining her strength and the joy of rediscovering her quality of life, she offers encouragement to others facing similar health challenges. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own journeys, fostering a sense of solidarity and inspiration as they navigate their unique paths toward healing.

A special thank you to my husband, Jason, my stepmom, Anne-Marie, and friends, Kelly and Annie, for being with me while I was in the hospital. More thanks to Denise, Rose, Will, and Becky for taking incredible care of our animals, Hamilton, Magnus and Pearl, as well as our house. Thanks to my dad, Ernest, and Anne-Marie, for hosting Jason and me once I was out of the hospital so I could recover at sea level.

I love you. Remember, your heart is your best friend.

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**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.**

Email: bootsncstate@gmail.com

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

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Boots Knighton says 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 2nd open-heart surgery on November, 2025 and is on a mission to raise awareness through her podcast, Open Heart Surgery with Boots, that heart surgery can be an incredible opportunity to begin again in life and live life wide open.

Hey Heart Buddies. It's been a long while since I last aired an episode. Sorry for that. In this episode, I get into the reason for my absence with the help of my dear dear friend, Melissa Snider. We cover her heart journey as well which includes two valvular issues.

We talk medical gaslighting (which I have talked extensively about on this podcast in the past), more about advocating for self, and my amazing experience at Cleveland Clinic so far. Since the recording of this episode, I have experienced more decline, and Cleveland is working hard on my behalf to get me better. The future is unknown. I have the attention of the very best doctors in the world now but the plan is still in flux.

"You get to hire and fire your team. And if you’re new to this podcast or you’re newly diagnosed, I just want to make sure that you are hearing this and will apply it to your own healthcare journey... You should still be honored by your healthcare provider, even if you just have a hangnail." – Boots Knighton

Be sure to follow/subscribe to this podcast to get more updates from me and so you won't miss the next season (when I feel up for recording). I'm not done yet! xo

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

**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.**

Email: bootsncstate@gmail.com

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

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.

"I grabbed the door handle, and it felt like somebody just cut up my chest with a dull butter knife. And 15 seconds later I was lying face down on the kitchen floor dead from cardiac tamponade at that point in time."

Hey Heart Buddies. Whew. Today's episode with Jon Toivonen whose heart story literally stopped—and restarted—multiple times is one to help you take stock of your own life. Jon recounts his first shocking symptoms, the surreal “butter knife” sensation of an aortic dissection, and how fate, luck, and love shaped his survival. While Jon’s physical heart has been patched together, the emotional journey is far from straightforward. Jon shares what comes after the surgeries: the mental battles, the power of community, and why an electric recliner might just be life changing. He also opens up about navigating the aftermath—ICU hallucinations, family impact, and the ever-present possibility of another health crisis.

You can find Jon here.

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

**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.**

Email: bootsncstate@gmail.com

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

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.