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joseph (jay) f. Recipient

New at all of this

Thu, 07/12/2012 - 8:49PM

Hi my name is Jay I got my LVAD March 5th 2012.I have been battling heart problems for 12 years now you name it I have had it done from bypasses to pacemaker/diphibulator so meany stints I have lost count. I was not doing very good before my LVAD had a hard time walking for any lenght of time. Was on oxygen on 15 diffrent meds a day. After my surgery I was rough for the first month but been doing great now if just three months I am walking 3-4 miles a day I do what ever I want. I feel better then I did when I had my first heart attack at age 29 now I am 41 and find myself outside chasing my grandkids something I could only dream of doing before. No a bath would be nice a day in the pool great but I will give those up for a day out with my grandkids any time. I can say from wha I see with me and other LVAD recipients is it all up to you. You will get out of an LVAD what you put into yourself its all about determenation you have the choice give up or get up the more you do the better you will feel. My heartmate has been my chance to get back to being me.

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Andrea M.

Fri, 07/13/2012 - 9:40AM

Hey Jay! Glad to hear you are doing so well.

I received my Heartmate II on May 23 and came home from the hospital after just 7 days. I did really well for three weeks or so but had a little set back when I overdid things when my partner Billy was in the hospital following a fall. The poor guy broke his jaw and had to have surgery, spent a week in the hospital with him...! I lifted and just did too much too soon and further strained my muscles and whatnot.

I'm better every day and while there are moments when I absolutely hate some part of living with my LVAD, I can't even imagine not choosing to get it. It's definitely a learning experience for me and my family. I am mom to two teens and a two year old (almost 2 actually) and have two stepdaughters and 2 (step) grandsons. So, I definitely get what you said about playing with the grandbabies... a drive line and batteries, the pain of a sternotomy... who cares? I get to see my kids smile, it's all worth it.

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Thomas M.

Thu, 08/16/2012 - 6:37PM

You're right Jay - it is all about attitude. Whenever I would feel myself slipping, feeling sorry for myself I would think about Kyle Marnard who was born without lower arms or legs and went on to wrestle in high school - and he set an impressive win record. How can I complain when I think of him?

I agree that not being able to shower or swim is the most annoying. Swimming became my goal as soon as I was told I could have the device removed. I still smile and laugh every time I get into a pool, the ocean or a lake. You'll do great! (my story is posted in the inspirational section under Attitude is Everything - if you want to read more). Thanks

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Keith B.

Sun, 08/19/2012 - 7:57AM

Well done Jay. What you have endured makes my run-up to LVAD implant look like a walk in the park.

Like you, my health has improved and continues to improve exponentially (I think having grand children helps.

Since implant, my only problem has been recurrent episodes of epistaxis (16 hospital visits this year). Whilst recurrent epistaxis in itself is not a problem to deal with, finding an anaesthetist who is not familiar with LVADs but is still willing to anaesthetise you is not so easy. My transplant hospital specialises in organs that are located between the neck and naval. Outside of this area and they refer you to another hospital. After 16 hospital visits my local rhino surgeon managed to find an anaesthetist who would anaesthetise me if the LVAD specialist from my transplant hospital was in attendance (apparently, anaesthetists worry if you have a BP systolic of 77 whilst you are still awake). Problem solved (relevant artery ligated). I don't know what the waiting time for a transplant in the USA is, but I have been advised that I should have to wait 18 to 24 months (an average based on past experience)and a guaranteed transplant wait of 3 years (if all the other organs hold up). Any, goodluck to you and your family and no matter how rough it has been for you, there are always people worse off.

Fortunatecookie

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Raymond J.

Sat, 08/25/2012 - 1:38PM

I JUST RECIEVED A HEART TRANSPLANT AUG. 7 2012. I WORE THE LVAD FOR 3YRS AND 3 MONTHS...THE LVAD SAVED MY LIFE, I WOULD HAVE NEVER LIVED 3YRS WITHOUT IT. I HAD A COMFORTABLE TIME WAITING ON MY HEART..I STAYED POSITIVED, I EXERCISED AND I CHANGED MY DIET.

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James H.

Sun, 10/07/2012 - 4:28AM

Hi Jay, your case sounds close to mine. Looks like I may have to get a LVAD. Have had 4 icd's implanted over the last 12 yrs. nothing vascular yet. I'm 60. Do you still have the ICD implanted? Are you using the LVAD for a bridge to transplant or will you need the device forever? I bet your taking a lot less meds after the LVAD. Let me know and I wish you the best. Aloha from Hawaii!...jh