It has been nine months and one day since my surgery at Mt. Sinai. First, I would like to thank my wife, without her research, finding Mt. Sinai and Dr. Adams, I probably would not be here today. Everyone in your office from Jose to Therese King made everything so easy during my operation and time there. It is a true pleasure to be treated with such professionalism from the moment you step into the hospital until the day you leave. I would like to recognize the whole team at Mt. Sinai for making the experience I had seem as if it was an everyday routine.

I came to Mt. Sinai having had Mitral Valve Repair in 2003. Two years after the operation I was getting out of breath climbing stairs or doing anything physical. It was later revealed that I had Mitral Stenosis. Several doctors told me that I needed a Mitral Valve Replacement. Upon having a TEE, my mitral valve was barely moving. During the initial consult on December 10, 2008 with Dr. Adams, he stated that he was not sure if he could do the repair or not. I later found out that my case was a first for Dr. Adams. After studying my echo with Dr. Anyanwu, Dr. Adams stated that he could not guarantee he could repair the valve, however, he would spend four to six hours trying to see if he could. I stressed greatly that I wanted to have the valve saved, as I wanted to obtain a private pilot’s license and if one has an artificial valve they are ineligible to receive one.

Dr. Adams said that if we had any chance of repairing my valve, we would have to operate very soon. When we walked out of his office to talk to his staff, they all just stood there with blank stares, he stated that he had promised he would not schedule another surgery during 2008, however, my condition being so serious did not allow for any time to wait until the New Year to operate. My surgery was scheduled for December 23, 2008. Although my surgery was during the holiday season, it turned out to be the best Christmas ever for my wife and four children. My family came to New York from South Carolina during the time I had surgery, and after 8 hours 3 minutes, my family was notified to meet Drs. Adams and Anyanwu in Dr. Adams’ office. When Dr. Adams arrived to meet my family, he had a huge smile on his face, he told my wife and children that he not only saved my mitral valve, he also repaired my tricuspid valve. He told my family that I would be able to fly! Today, I am feeling better than I have in years and can run up stairs and mow the lawn with no difficultly at all.

I would also like to mention the staff in the CTICU. Dr. Scurlock and his staff are to be commended for the top rate care given to me, as well as all of the patients in the CTICU. Dr. Gregory Fischer, Dr. Anyanwu, and Dr Scurlock made themselves available for any issues with care or questions as to what I could expect during my stay there. I would also like to thank the nurses; Veronica, Velma, Sue, Jen and all the others that participated in the excellent care I received while in the CTICU.

I return to Mt. Sinai for my follow up appointment on October 2, 2009 with Dr. Bruce Darrow. I hope that I will be able to see some of my caregivers who helped me through the tough times following my surgery and made my Christmas and New Years the best ever.

It is because of the dedication of Dr. David Adams and the Mt. Sinai team that I am able to say, if anyone needs mitral valve treatment, Mt Sinai is the place to go.