Peg, Jane and I arrived in NYC hungry and slightly tired from the Lincoln tunnel and environs. We were happy to find that our room at the Park Central was ready, and headed over to my favorite lunch place, Rue 57. The first time that we were there, several years ago, Glen Close was dining there.

Paula arrived from Bridgeport around 4PM, so we had a nice talk before heading off to Nocello for dinner with John. It is a fantastic Italian restaurant, and you can hear your conversation!

Columbia Medical Center

Thursday morning we headed north to Columbia Med and availed ourselves of the valet parking. I was in a state of high anxiety, so it seemed like a good idea.

We were directed to the 4th floor Cardiac Unit, and Dana Reed, Craig Smith’s Physician’s Assistant, took me to an examination room where we went through my records together and he checked my vitals. His friendly personality did a lot to put me at ease.

Meanwhile, I went back to the waiting room before being beckoned into Dr. Smith’s office. Dr. Smith explained to me what he thinks that I need, and apprised me of the risks associated with the triple valve replacement. It would also include a maze ablation that has a 70% chance of curing my atrial fibrillation.

The surgery itself would take about 4 – 5 hours, and would include a heart/lung machine, which may be my biggest fear. After recovery I will spend about 2 days in the ICU before being transferred to a step down unit for another 5 or so.

Peg and Jane sat in with me and took notes and asked a few follow-up questions. Jane noted a photo of Dr. Smith with Bill Clinton on a shelf behind his desk. He operated on Clinton in 2004.

I felt very comfortable with Dr. Smith, so immediately scheduled my surgery with Gloria. We settled on the afternoon of June 5th, meaning that I would check in on June 4th at 3PM and be put on a Heparin drip.

A young man named Everell took us to a conference room to explain the logistics. He had a nice packet of instructions to give me.

The next few hours were spent getting a chest x-ray, EKG and blood draw. Most of the time was spent waiting.

After a nice break in the 9th floor restaurant, we got the car and headed across the GW Bridge on the way to Baltimore. I was so tired when I arrived home at 9PM that I could hardly move. I am very lucky to have two people so willing to support me in this journey!