Linda's Journal

Grace Mason   Hi Linda, My family did not stay with me at Mt Sinai. I don't think that is usual either, at Mt Sinai. I was well cared for in both ICU and step down. The nurses were attentive if I called on the call button and honestly they checked on me so much I don't think I needed to use the call button but maybe once.

Deena Elani  I ditto what Grace said.   The Sinai ICU care, in particular, was outstanding.  I would give your family members some instruction as to what you would like to eat, particularly when you don't feel like it the very first days.  You will be sleeping a lot  the first two days. 

Pamela Gregory  My daughter stayed with me several nights, not out of necessity but because I was scared and loved having a familiar face with me in case I needed anything. For me it was very comforting, but you certainly don't have to. 

J Alexander Lassally  It is a good idea to have a family member close by / checking in periodically, if possible. While ICU is usually high quality, sometimes the step down units are lacking in depth. One never knows. It just depends on the shift team. It is always good to have a loved one present to advocate.  Call up the sons ! 

Dan Fouratt  You do not. My wife went home to get a good night sleep each day so she was well rested when I came home.  We felt there was no reason for us both to not sleep in the hospital.

Karen Hadden  My Husband went home during my first night in ICU which turned out to be really good as far as care.  For step down, I always highly recommend it at least the first or second day.  There’s just not always a sense of urgency and when I needed certain things, my husband was right there to help, especially when you gotta go to the bathroom!! 

Anna Ma  It is good to have a family member there for an hour or so, make sure the nurse will always present you the call button when he leaves. My first icu nurse didn’t, it was not a good experience the first night. The other nurses were all great and my husband didn’t need to stay 

Rose Madura  My husband stayed the first night only because I never woke up. Finally, after I woke up and he saw I was ok, he went home for some rest. The nurses will take excellent care of you. 

Valerie Allen  Hi Linda, a third surgery buddy for April 18! You are joining Kevin and me! All at different hospitals. Best wishes to you!

Daniel Green  Hi Linda, I had my surgery at Mount Sinai January of 23. I live in Florida but my NY cardiologist was at Mount Sinai. I used Dr El-Hamamsy, but Dr Adams is a renown surgeon. I thought the facilities were a little old but the care was first class. I decided on NY because my children live in close proximity in north Bergen County and were a lot of support to me and mostly my wife. The first couple of days they were all there and then mostly my wife came every day. I really don’t remember anything from the day of the surgery and they were all there but I must of been completely out of it. The second day I was moved to my room and started the road to recovery. If my wife were to have stayed overnight the first night I wouldn’t have known it! I never felt like I needed someone there overnight. The nurses where fantastic and so was the surgical team! Good luck and you’re in great hands!! 

George Gardopee  Hi Linda. In my case, the severe mitral valve leak caused a huge distention of my heart; this in turn stretched the area around my tricuspid valve to the point that it leaked also. I think this wasn’t obvious in the imaging before surgery. While the surgeon was repairing my mitral valve he put an annuloplasty ring on my tricuspid to help it close. He said it took an additional 15 minutes.

It sound like your tricuspid may be exhibiting leakage in your echocardiogram so they are already planning on fixing it while they are in there. Good luck with your surgery!

Rita Savelis  You are lucky if your surgeon looks at your tricuspid as he repairs your mitral. This means he knows that tricuspids can have problems later because of mitral repair. This way you get your tricuspid reinforced and hopefully will not need tricuspid surgery later. I had 2 valves (aortic and mitral) replaced and afterwards found out that my surgeon had also reinforced my tricuspid (after he got a look during surgery). Very grateful for that.