Monday, April 21, 2025
In late January, Todd Meyer, 55, of Lynbrook, checked into New York University Langone— Long Island for a routine procedure, and as long as the surgery went as expected, he could leave the hospital that day, doctors told his wife.
But as Janna Trevers-Meyer, 45, sat waiting in the Mineloa-based hospital to take her husband home, it became clear the surgery did not go as planned.
A natural complication extended his stay for 32 days, with over a week in the Intensive Care Unit.
Ultimately, the last resort proved necessary: Meyer needed a new heart.
Heart transplants can be lengthy, complicated, and life-consuming, said Kathryn Malhame, lead transplant nurse practitioner at North Shore University Hospital.
Not only do patients and their families play a daunting game of patience while waiting to receive a heart, but once the organ arrives and the surgery finishes, the recovery process typically requires a lifestyle overhaul.
“Right after a heart transplant, patients are at the highest risk for infection because their immune system is very weak,” Malhame explained.
On Feb. 21, Trevers-Meyer celebrated her husband’s successful heart transplant at NYU Langone Health in Manhattan, but now she had to focus on a new hurdle: getting their apartment ready for his recovery.
Trevers-Meyer’s to-do list grew into an invasive species dominating her life: carpooling, attending her own appointments, getting their car inspected, and cleaning their home.
“My husband's health situation was definitely made more stressful because I needed to think about logistics,” Trevers-Meyer said.
Trevers-Meyer praised the quality of healthcare her husband received at both hospitals, but found the process to be confusing.
She had numerous questions not suited for doctors in Manhattan and Mineola to answer: What are the best cleaning services in Lynbrook? What resources might make the process easier for someone who’s never navigated this situation before?
And, heart surgeries are relatively rare with only 5,000 taking place globally per year, representing a tenth of total organ transplants performed.
Trevers-Meyer relied on her friends and online communities, and found leaning on laymen more approachable.
Online, she found suggestions for professional cleaners in the area, and read advice from other caretakers who had experienced the same difficulties.
“One post suggested an air purifier in our apartment, so I started researching the highest rated and best performing ones,” she said.
Malhame and Ghenwa Atallah, a transplant nurse navigator, work in the hospital’s heart transplant team and assist patients with the post-operation process.
Atallah echoed the strenuous sanitation efforts necessary after the initial transplant, and added these practices often become embedded in a patient’s life indefinitely.
Many times, essential medications for preventing the rejection of an organ, which transplant patients take, impair the body’s immune system, leaving heart transplant recipients immuno-compromised for life.
But, in Atallah’s experience, patients and caretakers don’t need to feel overwhelmed with making every area spotless. Regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces with antibacterial products such as gels or sprays typically is enough.
Still, the shift in daily routines can remain challenging.
Malhame said daily recovery includes monitoring vitals, such as temperature; if it reaches 100.4°F or higher, they should contact their medical team.
Patients also should watch for symptoms like shortness of breath, pain around the surgical site, or signs of infection like cough or nausea.
Beyond cleaning, heart transplant patients must take additional precautions, like wearing a mask in crowded places and avoiding handling pet waste or contact with rodents, amphibians, and reptiles.
Gardening or working with soil is prohibited for six months, as it may expose them to bacteria.
Food preparation is also crucial—fruits and vegetables must be carefully washed, and no raw meat is allowed. All meat should be well done, and leftovers need to be eaten within two to three days.
“Education is key, and we encourage our patients to stay in close communication with us about any new symptoms or concerns they might have,” Malhame said.
With these precautions, heart transplant patients can experience a rocky road to recovery, one filled with life-altering routines.
For this reason, Trevers-Meyer said she finds solace in community support.
“Other people helped me the most. A friend set up a donation page for First Responders for my husband since he was a firefighter in the US Air Force, and we're still receiving gifts to assist with the costs associated with this type of health issue,” she said. “My support system, including my family, my husband's family, and my synagogue, were invaluable and made this process manageable for me.”
The fundraising page for the Meyer’s medical care can be found here: FundTheFirst.com/campaign/fundraiser-for-critically-ill-air-force-veteran-and-chef-todd-meyer-bs57mv
