Lori's Guestbook

Deena Z  Lori, thinking of you; almost there and into recovery! I went to Sinai with Dr. Adams too. Outstanding team. You will be super tired, but pain not that bad at all. Protein shakes help. Godspeed.  Bring earplugs for step-down.🤪

Lori Risboskin  Thanks to all for your best wishes, positive thoughts and prayers. Still waiting on my surgery time, but tomorrow is my big day. 

Gary Wood  Lori. I hope your sugery went well. I got home Sunday afternoon and things are progressing nicely.Looking forward to updates on your progress. 
Gary

Lori Risboskin  Hi Moira, Thank you for your post. I’m very glad to hear that your heart surgery was less challenging than your experience with Hodgkin’s.  I’ve heard that radiation patients have a slower recovery rate and I am determined to defy that theory. You just added additional confidence to that statement. Thank you!  

Lori Risboskin  Hi Grace, I love the fact that we have September 12th in common!  Happy Anniversary! Also happy to hear you were pleased with  your experience at Mount Sinai. Did you have family staying in the city during your surgery, and if so, where did they stay? From everything I am hearing, I think I might be in step down care by the weekend, I haven’t been given a surgery time yet and I’m hoping it’s in the morning. I hope your follow up goes well. 

Grace Mason   Thanks Lori❤️
My family and I stayed at the Marriott Upper East Side because it was within walking distance of the hospital. I looked at other options and rentals thru Airbnb and VRBO but I didn't want to risk those options and get a place where the elevator didn't function(particularly for me post surgery)or we would have to share a bathroom. Since we were flying I had to stick around until day 10 for a medical clearance to fly.
We are actually going to be staying there again for the follow up.

I hope you have a morning surgery, too. I was to be in pre op at 7:15am and had to arrive at 5:30am, so not so bad.  I think you will likely be in step down by the weekend and heading home not long after. If you like a protein smoothie you might request your family bring that to you in step down. It felt really good on my throat post surgery.

Lori Risboskin  I booked a room for my family in the same hotel, Courtyard Marriott. Did you actually stay at the hotel untill the day of your surgery?

Grace Mason   Yes, I did. My surgery was on Tuesday with a pre-testing appointment on Monday so we flew in on the weekend and my youngest son and husband came with me. We did a little masked sightseeing on Sunday and took a nice calming walk in Central Park around the lake after my appointment on the 11th as it is right across the street from the surgeons offices and the hospital. I recommend checking that out if you have a chance.
We booked a corner room so we had the sofa bed for my son to sleep on. Once I was discharged I stayed there again with my family until I received clearance to fly home.

Grace Mason   There is a little market around the corner from the hotel lobby which was very convenient to pick up snacks for use in our room.
There are actually many places very close, but the market was particularly nice as they carried a variety of items.

Lori Risboskin  My surgery is on Thursday and they have me arriving on Monday. I thought that was normal, but I guess that is not the case. 

Grace Mason   That is much earlier than I had to be there. Maybe you have more pre-testing than I did. I had most everything already completed at another facility except basic blood work and tests, so I was done pretty quickly on Monday. I can understand not wanting to be there any sooner than necessary.
We are not arriving this next week until Thursday evening(echo on Friday) so I won't get a chance to say hello to you before your surgery, but I will definitely be thinking about you and sending prayers for a perfect surgery and recovery.

Grace Mason   I brought my own toothbrush but the hospital will provide basics such as toothpaste, toothbrush, foaming wash. I also brought baby wipes to freshen up post surgery but there is a nurse that comes around with fresh sheets, blankets, warm blankets and he also had nice thick body wipes that were warmed and really nice, so I probably didn't need to bring my own. I would bring slip on shoes so you don't have to bend over or tie anything. They want you to have closed shoes so they are secure on your feet as opposed to slippers. Skechers makes some reasonable ones if you don't already have something. I would recommend earbuds to drown out the excessive beeping that occurs in step down. ICU was really quiet in comparison. I also brought an eye mask which was good for blocking light out when your room is inevitably entered at night for 3 am blood draws 😜 
A robe or a wrap (so you don't have to maneuver around your arm IV with sleeves), a loose pair of sleeping pants or even a pull on loose skirt to wear under your gown for greater coverage and warmth I highly recommend.  The hospital provides a post surgery bra and will give you additional to take home or if you want to change it while you are there. My original one was on when I woke up in ICU. Loose clothes to wear home. I gained 16 lbs in fluids post surgery that comes off, and then some, while your body burns lots of energy in recovery but I still was a little bloated when I left the hospital. I wouldn't have wanted to wear a pair of jeans. 
They will provide pretty much anything you need if you ask such as throat lozenges, chapstick etc, but if you have favorites of your own it's nice to have some personal items.
I brought a small blanket and my own pillow. I also brought a scented lotion that helped me feel better about not showering for days.
Once you start walking the corridor, which can be crowded and busy with nurses and equipment, I recommend looking for a short hallway that goes around a corner and you will find this long, mostly empty, wide open corridor that overlooks the atrium. It was so much nicer to walk this quiet corridor with plants, and step away from the bustling corridor around the step down rooms for a bit.

Lori Risboskin  Thank you so much. This is incredibly helpful. Sounds like a VIP Suite. Aside from ICU, are there 2 beds per room? I hope you enjoy your stay in NY on your new heart anniversary. Is this the  first visit since the surgery? If you like Italian food, I highly recommend La Masseria in the theater district. 235 West 48th Street. I had dinner there when I was in the city for my consult. You definitely need reservations. Thank you again for all your suggestions. I didn’t know the fluid would be that significant, and I would never get in my Jeans!

Grace Mason   Thanks for the tip on La Masseria. That sounds delicious. We will have to check it out. This will be only my second time in NYC, the first was for my surgery, as my initial consultation I did by Zoom. I would like to go walk on the Highline and visit the Museum of Natural History and a few other sights.
ICU is definitely the VIP suite . Step down was much more bustling and crowded, but everyone was very kind. Once you step out onto the atrium corridor it definitely reminds you more of a nice hotel.
I was originally put in a single room in step down but was moved to a shared room my last 2 days. I am not sure but I think I remember my nurse telling me there was a limited number of single rooms. 

Shaun Morris  Gary, I had my surgery scheduled 5 months out and the anticipation/anxiety was definitely the worst part of the whole process.  I am still only 2 weeks post surgery but I think the mental game can be harder than the physical for some and was definitely in my case.  

Margaret Fielden  All the best Gary, saying a prayer for you, and keep on healing Shaun. I have mitral valve replacement and tricuspid repair on October 5th. To say I'm a mess mentally is an understatement, the wait for the surgery seems so hard!

Lori Risboskin  Hi Gary, I will be thinking of you on Tuesday. The wait is almost over and I’m right behind you. I’m trying to focus on my reconvened and how much better I’m going to feel when all valves are working the way they should be. Please let us know how you are doing when you’re up to it.