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CRIs S. Family Member

Nervous Wreck

My Husband had LVAD surgery on Friday 1/8/2021. About 10 pm that night they had to put a tube down his throat to see what was going wrong. By 1:00am Saturday Morning I had to consent again for them to go back in him because the right side of the heart wasn't strong enough. Well Sunday the nurse told me he squeezed her had and wiggled his toes. Yesterday I called to check on him and the nurse put me on speaker and suprisingly he was talking. You just don't know how that felt. It was like the stress was lifted. The nurse called today and said he wanted to talk to me. All he kept saying was call 911 and get the police up here something is not right. He told me people were taking over the hospital and shooting everyone they saw. He told me he saw it. All I can do is cry because I know he was talking out of his head. I'm so scared that I'm going to lose my husband. I read up on hallucinations after heart surgery and came across delirium and now I wish I never look it up. Has anyone else experienced this. I don't know what I would do without my husband. I feel like I'm going crazy right now.

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Barbara G.

So sorry you are both going through this.  We are praying that he starts improving this minute.  My hubby had an LVAD for almost four years and, while he never had any complications with it, he did go through some extremely dire, near-death experiences prior to that and I do understand what you're going through.  Please keep us posted.  God bless you both.

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In reply to by Barbara G.

Anonymous

 I wish you great luck and patience. My husband received an lvad in 2017. But the worse part was his mental  change after the surgery. The doctors kept saying " oh its normal, he will get better". If you husband does not continue to improve get him evaluated by a neurologist. My husband has never improved, which may have been genetic plus he had several surgeries before the LVAD.

Katie

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In reply to by Anonymous

CRIs S.

Hello Katie,

Unfortunately My husband is still in the hospital ICU and has had several more procedures done since 1/8/2021. I pray and pray but He's worst and I feel like I'm losing my mind. I know the LVAD has been a success for a lot of people on here. But I wish now I had just brought my husband home and let nature take it's course. Since 1/8/2021 when he had the LVAD put in his Kidneys have failed, Lung collapse, Had to put something on the right side of the heart because it became weak, He is on a ventilator, He's on Dialysis and he has pneumonia. ANd to top it off I can't go see him because of the COVID rules. Yes they let me see him on the video Ipad but it's not the same. I need to be there to hold his hand. We have a son and I feel like Im losing it. It's not good not having anyone to talk too. 

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Debra W.

Hello Chris, by now I’m sure that your husband is not having ICU delirium And recovering quickly after his LVAD placement. My husband, who is 74, had his implanted almost  2 years ago and he is doing very well. He also had ICU delirium for a few hours after the surgery and I was able to be with him at that time but I almost wish I wouldn’t have because I’ve never seen such fear in his eyes. He thought blood was coming down from the ceiling. That was the worst time in the entire 2 years since he has had the LVAD. I felt so overwhelmed at first with dressing changes and medications etc. just like you will but once you get used to it, it is second nature. Please let me know how your husband is doing and don’t forget to take care of yourself too.

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In reply to by Angel P.

Debra W.

The only discomfort my husband experienced is the heaviness of the batteries but once we found the right shirt for him all is well. The LVAD team should explain all the options of clothing for your husband. Also, he sleeps fine with his controller under his pillow and plugged into the wall unit

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Brittney M.

My mother, who had her vad (Larry the LVAD) placed 12/2/19 had delerium post surgery.... She was seeing dead people, demons and her personality and voice kept sounding like that of a scared child, she just kept saying "okay"... Repeatedly. Some people get that kind of delerium, others get really aggressive, as was the case with a guy (per his family) that had him implant days after my mom.  He told his wife to leave that he wanted a divorce and called his daughter a hoe..... He didn't mean any of it. Just be there for him as best you can. 

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CRIs S.

  Unfortunately My husband is still in the hospital ICU and has had several more procedures done since 1/8/2021. I pray and pray but He's worst and I feel like I'm losing my mind. I know the LVAD has been a success for a lot of people on here. But I wish now I had just brought my husband home and let nature take it's course. Since 1/8/2021 when he had the LVAD put in his Kidneys have failed, Lung collapse, Had to put something on the right side of the heart because it became weak, He is on a ventilator, He's on Dialysis and he has pneumonia, Oh! and he has cancer and the chemo is what messed his heart up. And to top it off I can't go see him because of the COVID rules. Yes they let me see him on the video Ipad but it's not the same. I need to be there to hold his hand. We have a son and I feel like Im losing it. It's not good not having anyone to talk too.  What do I do?

 

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In reply to by CRIs S.

Anonymous

I hope the lvad team are keeping you informed.  He should have a case worker. Friends mean well but they don't really understand what your going through. 

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In reply to by CRIs S.

Diane B.

Cris S.

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through, but I do want to give you some hope. My husband had his LVAD at the end of August last year. He spent almost 2 months in ICU with multiple procedures, being trached and ventilated and unable to communicate. Thank God I was able to get in and see him once a day for 2 hours. He also went through multiples procedures, his R heart was very, very weak and pressure was up in his lungs. If they did not do the surgery he probably would have been gone very shortly after his admission.

Today he is home walking by himself, dressing himself and having showers independently.  There is still hope and you cannot let yourself lose that. I know how crazy I was even being able to see him for a short visit each day. I wish there was more I could do to help you through this but the only thing I can say is look at the small gains when they come and know some days it may be one step forward and two steps back but your faith in God and your husband's will to live can prevail. God be with you and your family!

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Anonymous

I know what you mean about not having the surgery done 

 My husband has enjoyed some of his time.  But it so hard to know what to do. You can't second guess your self. I wish you could be with him.

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Kathy T.

My husband has had his Heartmate  3 for 2 1/2 years.  In the beginning he could hear the pump humming occasionally but now it’s all the time.  Has anyone else had this happen.  He’s worried the pump is wearing out 

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In reply to by Kathy T.

Jyostna P.

I was wondering if any LVAD patient had a tooth extraction?and if yes did they go to their dentist or to the hospital where they received their LVAD