New Here? Welcome to the Heart of the Conversation
- maryrburrell
- Mar 20
- 3 min read
If you’re new to my page—welcome! I’m so glad you found your way to my little corner of the internet. If this is your first time here—welcome. I see you, I appreciate you, and I want to take a moment to introduce myself.
Who I Am & Why I’m Here
I’m Mary Burrell, and my story isn’t one you hear every day. I’m from the Pacific Northwest, and my life has been shaped by experiences I never saw coming—hospice survivor, tricuspid valve miracle, patient advocate, podcast host, and Heart Valve Voice Ambassador.
In 2019, I was told my journey was coming to an end. Hospice was my reality. There were no more medical options left, no more treatments to try. I was supposed to prepare for the inevitable.
But here’s the thing—I’m still here.
Not because the odds were in my favor, but because I fought like hell. I clung to hope, faith, and relentless determination, refusing to accept that my story was over.
Then, in early 2021, something extraordinary happened—I became one of the first people in the U.S. to receive an experimental tricuspid valve replacement. It was a long shot, a procedure still in its early stages. But it saved my life.
That moment didn’t just give me more time—it changed my purpose.
It made me a patient pioneer, a storyteller, and a voice for those who feel unheard in the complex world of heart disease and chronic illness.
My Mission
As a Heart Valve Voice ~US Ambassador, I advocate for:
✔ Better awareness of heart valve disease—especially in women, who are too often misdiagnosed or dismissed.
✔ More research and treatment options—because too many patients are left without solutions.
✔ Clinical trial diversity—because everyone deserves access to cutting-edge care, not just a select few.
✔ Patient-centered care—where doctors listen, respect, and truly support the people they treat.
I started this blog and my upcoming podcast because I know what it’s like to feel unheard—to be dismissed, to fight for answers, to struggle with a system that isn’t built for patients like me.
If you’re here because you’re on your own health journey, caring for someone you love, or just looking for real, unfiltered conversations about what it means to survive—you’re in the right place.
How You Can Get Involved
🎙 COMING SOON Podcast: Heart 2 Heart Talk with Mary Burrell—where I sit down with survivors, caregivers, and medical professionals to talk about the raw, unfiltered truths of navigating heart disease and chronic illness. No sugarcoating—just real conversations.
💻 Website: Visit www.maryburrell.com for blog posts, podcast, resources, and ways to connect with me.
💬 Join the Conversation: Your story matters. Whether you’re a fellow survivor, a caregiver, or just someone trying to understand more about heart health, this is a space for real talk, support, and advocacy.
I don’t just talk about heart disease—I talk about what doesn’t make the headlines:
✔ Misdiagnosis & medical gaslighting
✔ Why women’s heart symptoms are often ignored
✔ The brutal realities of living with chronic illness
✔ The emotional toll of being a patient, not just the physical one
✔ What it really means to fight for your own life
But I also believe in hope. In celebrating the small victories, in finding joy in the unexpected, and in building a community that lifts each other up.
So tell me—what brought you here? What’s your story? Let’s connect. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no one should have to go through this alone.
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