Mitch's Guestbook

David Tavarez  Great to hear all about your recovery, Leona! I am scheduling an aortic valve replacement and aneurysm correction with Dr Girardi as well. If it is fine with you, I’ll ask you about your experience and hospital stay,

Leona Resch  Absolutely David!! I’d be happy to help in any way and answer any questions! My experience at NY Presbyterian was super! ICU care was outstanding . Nurses told me people come from all over the world to see him - you see in great hands! 

I was a former nurse myself so probably had a heightened awareness as to what was going on around me. Saw Girardi and his team every day there and that was reassuring also. Clearly a world class team there under his guidance. He is not a man of many words but instead instills a calm and confident reassurance . My anxiety wax through the roof prior to surgery and I found the team there- really helped calm me down - very informative and professional. His PA’s and NP’s were excellent as well as attendings and  residents.   
My husband stayed next door at the Helmsley since we live near Princeton NJ. He was able to stay in ICU as long as he wanted as long as he didn’t leave at night after hours. Then you’d have to wait until 9 am the next day to come back in. 
He also found a great deli nearby for some nutritious smoothies to help me start eating again . In ICU from Tuesday night until Friday when I was moved to a step down floor and able to go home Sunday.
They manage your pain well although I only needed Tylenol by the time I was on step down. Sleep deprivation is unfortunately part of being in a hospital and I found that hard. 

Several things at home surprised me but now I know are totally normal- musculoskeletal pain in back and arms and shoulder, the feeling of my heart beating harder, some migraines and dizziness due to beta blockers they keep you in awhile to keep your heart rate lower and hopefully avoid a fib. Alll normal and tend to dissipate over the next few monts- as well as days of ups and downs as your body heals. And I learned not to push myself too much one day cause then I felt it a lot the next day. I overdid it a bit when first home and had a few I comfortable days but then slowly better. Sleeping in  a chair was best for me until the past few nights where I’ve slept in bed! 
Now at 3. 1/2 weeks I’m feeling more agile and strong!
any particular questions don’t hesitate to reach out! The people on this site are super and helped me through this journey big time!

David Tavarez  Thank you SO MUCH, Leona, for all these details about your stay and experience with Dr Girardi. You were a nurse, so you certainly know more than most of us : ) .
I assume that I will be in ICU for a few days after surgery and that I will slowly go back to solid food, as you did. Were you able to read and/or use your phone while at the ICU, or was that just impossible? My wife and 12-year old daughter will be visiting, but I want to plan ahead for anything soothing that might help while at the hospital. And I plan to sleep on a sleigh bed or chair at home, as you did. I hope that you are getting more of your strength back every day!

Leona Resch  Yes you’ll be in ICU for a few days. While there is a sign for no devices, it was fine to use a cell phone. I had mine- remember to bring a charger-you’ll use it more on the regular floor.  I really didn’t use it much in icu.  My husband was in charge of informing friends and family members so he was texting them. He even took a picture of me in a chair day after surgery ! 
It’s hard to sleep in icu - they are constantly checking you 24/7 which is good but not conducive to rest. I catnapped throughout the day and night between vital checks, medicine time, doctors in , X-rays, etc … so even though I had my phone I was too tired to use it! I was also nauseous the first day from anesthesia/ nothing new with me/ so wasn’t really hungry They sent up pot roast and I couldn’t even look at it.😘. Jello was my friend! Plus what got me eating again was the smoothies with berries, yogurt and almond milk with protein powder and almond butter. my husband got this for me every day from york grill and smoothie bar on 70th st between york and first. So cool and delicious and easy to sip! Really helped me to start to eat again. There is also an au bon pain on main floor of hospital and cafeteria to get take out from. 
You can read in icu but I kept napping so it didn’t last long! Id have something to read when you go to a regular floor plus you’ll use your phone more there . 
Hope this helps!

Leona Resch  And yes! I’m stronger each day! Really starts to feel better after a few weeks at home! Just got back from my half mile walk - boy it’s cold out there!!😫😁Thank you for the well wishes!!

Leona Resch  Thank you so much Mitch! It feels like the few days before are just the worst with this anxiety. I can’t wait to be home again and healing! I truly appreciate your encouragement and support !

Mitch Friedman  Hi Leona. Happy to hear my story helped. This is a crazy journey but it is manageable. Let me know if I can be helpful to you in anyway. Good luck. 

Mitch Friedman  Charlie, thanks for your comment.  One step at a time!  Remember, recovery is not linear, take the good days and bad days as they come.  Listen to your body and only do what feels right.  Good luck and reach out if I can help in anyway.

Mitch Friedman  Hey brother great to hear from you. I guess there are better ways to meet but I agree glad we became friends!! Would be great to see you. Will reach out if I am in FLA. You do the same if you have a few mins on one of your NYC trips. Be well.

Mitch Friedman  Hi Peter. Good for you working out 6 days a week! When I spoke to my doctors pre-surgery about the expected life of tissue valves, they told me they were lasting on average 15 years. That said, those were valves put in 15 years ago and medical technology has advanced, therefore they expected mine to last longer, possibly 20 years. So I have 20 years longevity of my valve in my mind. However, since I work out so much and so intensely, I have to believe mine will wear out sooner. Guess I will see. Good luck to you!

Mitch Friedman  Hello my dear friend. All the best to you too. Love all your FB posts. Keep doing what your doing. You look great. Clearly, grandkids agree with you!

XIAO-RONG LIU  This week is week 11 post of my husband heart surgery. He get perfect recovery from it. He is now in the kitchen cooking for us. Thanks Surgery Dr. Hiroo Takayama and his team. They did excellent job, they gave my husband a new life. We feel life is beautiful and appreciate every single day.

XIAO-RONG LIU  My husband was diagnosed as Aortic Aneurysm at end of the 2015, and did Aortic Aneurysm Replacement at 1/21/2016 at Columbia University Medical Center.

Mitch Friedman  Way to go Amnon. You seem to really be doing great! Keep up the good work. Nice to see people still find my journal helpful. All the best!

Mitch Friedman  Hi Brad. Welcome to the other side of surgery!! I had a full sternotomy, so as I recall, I was sidelined for 10-12 weeks before I could run. I do recall being very nervous about getting back to running. I found cardiac rehab was a huge help in making me feel more comfortable that I was getting back to physical activity safely. I highly recommend it. I do recall getting pains every now and then, but honestly not sure if it was real or simply nerves about testing to make sure everything worked as it should. Take it slow as you look to build back. It will all come together, but you need to be patient. Good luck and let me know if I can help.