Sent: April 09, 2010

To: Bingham, Catherine

Subject: Theresa C. recovery

Dear Catherine,

Thanks again for all your help and care. Everyone... and I mean everyone... at the hospital were so kind, caring and helpful. I had nothing but a positive experience at Mt. Sinai and will forever be thankful for Dr. Adams, Dr. Chikwe and Dr. Robin Varghese and the entire cardiac team. I will also remember John Gomez in housekeeping who always had a smile and kind word for the patients.

I am a 53 year old woman who was diagnosed with severe mitral valve regurgitation. Before the surgery, I could not go through the day without taking a long nap in the earlly evening. I was exhausted every day. It has now been 5 weeks since my mitral valve repair surgery, and I can not believe the remarkable difference in how I feel. I can go through the day without a nap and have more energy than I had in a long time. I am walking on the treadmill for a half hour a day, and hope to increase that amount to an hour real soon. Next, I am going to start cardio rehab to build my strength and endurance.

My repair surgery was done through an incision under the right breast. I wanted to try this approach for a couple of reasons. First, I felt my recovery would be faster since my sternum would not have to be broken to gain access to my heart. Also, although not my main concern, cosmetically this is a superior choice especially for women. If you look at my chest now, you would not even be able to guess that I just had open heart surgery, The incision has healed beautifully, and since it is under the breast fold you can not even see it.

The surgery itself went remarkably well. I had no issues of severe pain. In fact, my only issues were the breathing tube and a burning sensation in my right leg. The incision site has never been uncomfortable or caused me any pain. In fact, I only took tylenol and a pain killer the first week at home. Since then I have taken no pain killers. I feel great and have to remind myself that I had open heart surgery. I had a positive experience at Mt. Sinai Hospital from my initial consultation with Dr. Adams to my surgery and follow-up with Dr. Chikwe. Everyone was so kind and helpful.

As for the future, I plan to use weights to build my strength and to keep on walking.I plan to walk further and faster than before my mitral valve repair surgery. This summer I will enjoy swimming and floating down the lazy river at our vacation condo in South Carolina.