Where are the recent posts, I am scared!!
Mon, 03/19/2018 - 5:38PM
Hi, hello, good afternoon! My husband is jumping through the hoops to get qualified for the Heartmate II. We're just about done and meeting with the LVAD surgeon in just a week. I don't see many recent posts and it concerns me dearly. My husband is not a bridge to transplant due to his age (73) and it seems that many of the older posts that I have read talks about all the complications and in some instances (death) rather than the situations where the LVAD has given the recipient a quality of life and it's been beneficial. Is there anyone that can share with me something good that has resulted in the LVAD surgery? I am scared!
LVAD Early Success
Fri, 03/23/2018 - 10:59AMIn reply to LVAD Early Success by Michael H.
Cat S.Hi Mike,
Fri, 03/23/2018 - 7:00PMIn reply to Hi Mike, by Cat S.
Henry R.Life with an LVAD
Fri, 03/23/2018 - 10:12PMIn reply to Life with an LVAD by Henry R.
Cat S.Hi Patty,
Sat, 03/24/2018 - 4:12PMIn reply to Hi Mike, by Cat S.
Gregory D.Worry vs Concern
Sat, 03/24/2018 - 12:31PMIn reply to Worry vs Concern by Gregory D.
Woodie M.do you mind?
Mon, 04/02/2018 - 12:01PMIn reply to do you mind? by Woodie M.
Gregory D.Answer to #7
Fri, 04/06/2018 - 4:58PMIn reply to Hi Mike, by Cat S.
mike d.if you get a chance go out…
Tue, 09/11/2018 - 5:14PMif you get a chance go out side and look. it sounds stupid i know but it sure beats the mind fucking i can do to my self! my doctors at christ hospital are good, but thay are 1 & 1/2 hours away from here. thay kept telling me to go to christ for help. i told them, would you like to drive to the hospital every 4 weeks to get checked when it can be done down the street at a nother avcate hospital. now i got the bad attitude. but a beautiful thing happened a doctor powa was sent that 1 1/2 hours to cheec on OTHER PATIENTS TOO. now i'am at the sherman in elgin thannk god. its just oh 10.00 in gas right. do stupid things like a stream or watch a storm slam into the east coast and think, what about the power. what! still talkeng with a bad attitude, if you know what i mean. keep loving and don't forget about the guy up stairs. mike.
In reply to LVAD Early Success by Michael H.
Mariza M.Dressing changes
Wed, 10/17/2018 - 7:40PMI had my LVAD implant in August 2015. The first two years were really very difficult. In just 4 months I had to change my LVAD due to pump thrombosis. I also experienced several periods at the hospital due to intestinal bleeding. Since end 2017, I am leaving a quite “normal “ life. I resumed my part time work as researcher, and take care of my grandchilds whenever possible. IN relation to dressing changes, I am still doing it in a daily basis as I still have a kind of serosal clear secretion. I’ve already done this changing every other day but in the last year I was oriented by my LVAD team to keep changing daily. I am scared when I heard here in the group that this can favor driveline infection. So, the beginning can be very difficult but we are able to overcome the bad experiences and try to have an almost normal life. I am still affraid for travelling.
Mariza
In reply to LVAD Early Success by Michael H.
Mariza M.Dressing changes
Wed, 10/17/2018 - 7:40PMI had my LVAD implant in August 2015. The first two years were really very difficult. In just 4 months I had to change my LVAD due to pump thrombosis. I also experienced several periods at the hospital due to intestinal bleeding. Since end 2017, I am leaving a quite “normal “ life. I resumed my part time work as researcher, and take care of my grandchilds whenever possible. IN relation to dressing changes, I am still doing it in a daily basis as I still have a kind of serosal clear secretion. I’ve already done this changing every other day but in the last year I was oriented by my LVAD team to keep changing daily. I am scared when I heard here in the group that this can favor driveline infection. So, the beginning can be very difficult but we are able to overcome the bad experiences and try to have an almost normal life. I am still affraid for travelling.
Mariza
HeartMate II
Mon, 03/26/2018 - 10:41AMLVAD Experience
Mon, 03/26/2018 - 12:07PMIn reply to LVAD Experience by Anonymous
Vanette J.Greatful
Fri, 11/22/2019 - 4:53PMHey I had a driveline infection I was treated for 6 to 7 months and then I stop talking the antibiotics
I don't want to speak to soon but they said I would be on meds for it the rest of my life but thank the good lord I'm doing ok
By the way I'm 53 I been going through this heart problem since I was 35
Had a massive heart attack right after I had my son
And it's been one thing after another
In reply to LVAD Experience by Anonymous
Vanette J.Greatful
Fri, 11/22/2019 - 4:53PMHey I had a driveline infection I was treated for 6 to 7 months and then I stop talking the antibiotics
I don't want to speak to soon but they said I would be on meds for it the rest of my life but thank the good lord I'm doing ok
By the way I'm 53 I been going through this heart problem since I was 35
Had a massive heart attack right after I had my son
And it's been one thing after another
Breath Cat, breath. You are
Mon, 03/26/2018 - 12:24PMIn reply to Breath Cat, breath. You are by Larry B.
ron l.25 yrs.
Thu, 05/31/2018 - 11:49AMIn reply to 25 yrs. by ron l.
Larry B.Sorry Ron
Wed, 10/17/2018 - 1:13PMI just went back and saw your post from months ago. Sorry it took me so long to get back with you. I was a heavy smoker and one day I walked over to the store to get another pack and the whole way back I felt like I had heartburn. Went back to the store and bought a bottle of Maalox. After drinking the whole bottle with no relief my work mates suggested I go see my doctor. I did. He ran an ekg and while I was waiting for home to come back in I heard him on the phone calling for an ambulance. Being the great patient I am I told him I was not going to panic my family. I drove myself to the hospital after calling my wife at work and asking her to join me at the ER. Ended up going through several days of testing before finally having my bypass surgery. I had complications during surgery and ended up having three MI’s and was on the table for 14 hrs. 10 days later I was home. One day later I got caught outside by my neighbor because I was on the deck washing the screens! She called my wife who came home from work and took me back to the hospital immediately! I had a wonderful surgeon. He told my wife to not worry. Said when I had sufficiently worn myself out I would crash! Took 3 days but he was right. I was a model patient for at least two weeks after that.
After recovery I went back to work full time for the next 7 years. Felt great except for one more MI about 2 yrs later. When I was 50 it started catching up to me and I ended up with a lot of chest discomfort. Ended up going out on 100% disability. Still felt pretty good overall and was able to play golf twice a week for many years. When I was about 65 it started to catch up with me. Shortness of breath and general feeling of weakness.They put me on the transplant list but I was a stage 2 so I really never had a chance for one. Was still playing golf although I was finally using a handicap flag. They put me back in the hospital to do some more tests. That’s when the VAD coordinator started pushing a HM3. I flat refused. Told them I was still doing ok, considering! They put me on a milrinone drip for a couple of days and wanted to send me home with a pic line. I asked if I could play golf with a pic and was told no. I refused. I asked them to put me on Entresto. It was fairly new and they said ok. That lasted for three months and the shortness of breath and weakness returned with a vengeance.
I didn’t even have to go in and see the surgeon or do any further testing. I called my transplant doc and told him I was ready for the LVAD. The LVAD surgeon called me late that night. Three days later I was admitted for a lube and tune (more mlrinone) and three days later received my LVAD. 10 days later I was home. 4 months later I was back on the golf course.
Had clinic yesterday and where my kidneys were about shot from over 20 years of lasix, mine have fully removed now. Have not had to take any lasix since recovery. Life is good.
Now, to make a long story short Ron, I basically went almost 25 years between having my bypass surgery and being diagnosed with end stage CHF until I needed the LVAD. An MI itself is not a major problem. It’s the damage it does that determines a lot and what condition your arteries are in. Mine were terrible. Within a year of the 5 way bypass, 4 arteries were occluded already. Hope this helps in some way.
In reply to Sorry Ron by Larry B.
ron l.Thanks for your reply
Thu, 10/25/2018 - 9:53PMIt sure is informing to hear your experience for the past 25 yrs. I understand that LVAD technology is advancing at warp speed. And maybe one day there'll be a fully implantable one. If this happens will you be able to have one implanted? Also, what do you mean by Stage 2 preventing you from being considered for a transplant. Do you have to be Stage 4 and why the need for an LVAD at Stage 2? Thanks again and I wish you the best.
In reply to Sorry Ron by Larry B.
ron l.Thanks for your reply
Thu, 10/25/2018 - 9:53PMIt sure is informing to hear your experience for the past 25 yrs. I understand that LVAD technology is advancing at warp speed. And maybe one day there'll be a fully implantable one. If this happens will you be able to have one implanted? Also, what do you mean by Stage 2 preventing you from being considered for a transplant. Do you have to be Stage 4 and why the need for an LVAD at Stage 2? Thanks again and I wish you the best.
In reply to Sorry Ron by Larry B.
ron l.Thanks for your reply
Thu, 10/25/2018 - 9:54PMIt sure is informing to hear your experience for the past 25 yrs. I understand that LVAD technology is advancing at warp speed. And maybe one day there'll be a fully implantable one. If this happens will you be able to have one implanted? Also, what do you mean by Stage 2 preventing you from being considered for a transplant. Do you have to be Stage 4 and why the need for an LVAD at Stage 2? Thanks again and I wish you the best.
LVAD DURATION
Mon, 03/26/2018 - 12:38PMrecent LVAD patient
Mon, 03/26/2018 - 1:33PMLVAD Duration
Mon, 03/26/2018 - 1:38PMIn reply to LVAD Duration by Brian L.
Barbara Cole C.LVAD Duration
Mon, 10/22/2018 - 2:11PMBrian, thank you so very much for sharing. I received an LVAD Heartmate3 January 5, 2018. I too have had little complications with the LVAD. It is so encouraging to know that you've had your LVAD for 9 years with few difficulties. I have to admit that the recovery from the surgery was gruesome for me. I had an extremely difficult time with sternum pain and bowel functions. I developed anxiety and I'm seeing a wonderful therapist who has played a major role helping me to adjust to my new way of life. I would strongly recommend a therapist for both you and your loved ones while going through this process. I have chosen to continue seeing my therapist simply because it has been a major help in my recovery. I have chosen not to have a heart transplant although I am only 60 years of age. I'm not sure I can go through the surgery again. As I mentioned it was painful and my recovery has been slow but steady. I'm beginning to move around more through traveling and enjoying everyday activity. I am however disappointed in the fact that I have gained over 30 pounds this year. I say its the meds. the doctors don't seem to agree, they seem to believe my very limited activity for the first 6 months after surgery is the reason. Other then that, I feel good and looking forward to living my BEST LIFE NOW day by day!
In regard to the sterile dressing change, our VAD Coordinator drilled this in our heads over and over and over again! They did this to ensure that we understood the importance of following their instructions carefully and not to take any short cuts. WE follow the sterile dressing change to every detail!!!.
Thanks again Brian
New posts
Mon, 03/26/2018 - 1:55PMMy dad was 77 when he had his
Mon, 03/26/2018 - 1:51PMIn reply to My dad was 77 when he had his by Tammy T.
Steve H.Condolences to your family
Mon, 03/26/2018 - 1:59PMIn reply to My dad was 77 when he had his by Tammy T.
Steve H.Condolences to your family
Mon, 03/26/2018 - 1:59PMHi Cat,
Mon, 03/26/2018 - 4:47PMIn reply to Hi Cat, by Kathy C.
Kathy C.In reply to Hi Cat, by Kathy C.
Ava A.victim of the health care system in Canada and lengthy wait time
Sun, 10/21/2018 - 12:40PMPositive Story and Advice
Wed, 03/28/2018 - 9:42AMIn reply to Positive Story and Advice by Cindy R.
Ruth or Gary L.itching
Tue, 04/03/2018 - 7:20PMIn reply to itching by Ruth or Gary L.
Chiplon W.Reaction to the chlora Prep
Mon, 04/09/2018 - 1:35PMIn reply to itching by Ruth or Gary L.
Myriam T.Clora prep
Mon, 04/09/2018 - 5:59PMGo for it!
Mon, 04/02/2018 - 12:53PMThere are lots of us.....
Mon, 04/02/2018 - 10:03PMI know you scared
Tue, 04/03/2018 - 4:01PMitching
Tue, 04/10/2018 - 3:50PMLVAD positive results
Tue, 04/10/2018 - 3:56PMWow! Thanks for so many responses!
Wed, 04/18/2018 - 6:14PMIn reply to Wow! Thanks for so many responses! by Cat S.
Mariza M.Good luck for your husband’s
Tue, 04/24/2018 - 12:38AMIn reply to Wow! Thanks for so many responses! by Cat S.
Mariza M.Good luck for your husband’s
Tue, 04/24/2018 - 12:38AMIn reply to Wow! Thanks for so many responses! by Cat S.
Mariza M.Good luck for your husband’s
Tue, 04/24/2018 - 12:38AMIn reply to Wow! Thanks for so many responses! by Cat S.
Mariza M.Good luck for your husband’s
Tue, 04/24/2018 - 12:38AMIn reply to Wow! Thanks for so many responses! by Cat S.
Mariza M.Good luck for your husband’s
Tue, 04/24/2018 - 12:38AMIn reply to Wow! Thanks for so many responses! by Cat S.
norrris m.Lvad
Mon, 05/27/2019 - 12:23PMSorry that it took me so long to respond. I've worn my HMII since 13 June 2016. Yep my 3rd birthday is coming up. The caregiver is key to infections. If you maintain a sterile field and both wear masks plus follow the lvad nurse's instructions. I would do the operation again and would recommend it without reservation. It is a tough procedure and recovery may be slow, but don't despair. I've had no infection problems.
In reply to Lvad by norrris m.
Mariza M.I do agree with you. I have…
Mon, 05/27/2019 - 12:40PMI do agree with you. I have my HMII for almost 4 years (august 2015) and although I have had so many intercorrences in the first two years, Infection was not the case. I have a caregiver to help me for bath and to perform the dressing.
All the best
Mariza
Although my LVAD implant was
Mon, 04/23/2018 - 1:25AMIn reply to Although my LVAD implant was by Kevin S.
ron l.Curious
Fri, 05/25/2018 - 9:14PM