Community Forums

I received a HeartMate III LVAD on 1/25/19. I have been home from the hospital for 5 days and I am using a Thoratec vest that was given to me at the hospital. I am ready to order mens clothing to accommodate my LVAD and would appreciate some advice. The batteries are now hanging on my side and the...

What experience has anyone had Fitbit and what model do you recommend?

Hi! My fiance had his LVAD placed January 31st and he has been doing really well. However, over the past week he has become more short of breath than usual. He has reached out to the LVAD clinic and they say it's normal, as this is the last thing that will come around. Well, a few days ago he...

Hi. I have some LVAD equipment I would love to give away to anyone who needs it. Thoratec Heart Mate Go Gear Battery Holster, 2 Shower Bags, one consolidated bag, right, Battery Holster, power module cable, 2 stabilization belts, white. Please let me know and I will ship to you. thanks Maryellen

I have three vests made by Cindy Bosco and they have served me well. If you are interested you can contact her on 989-274-8862 or www.boscolvadvest.com. They have given me more freedom and mobility. She is excellent to work with and very flexible.

Can anyone tell me what the risk is of being connected with external electric power in a thunderstorm? Is it advisabel to connect the batteries instead, when there is lightning around?

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...

Hello, I am JW Rucker Jr. Founder of Walking On Water Outreach Ministries. I am an LVAD recipient. I have had it since September of 2018. I am very grateful for my wife, family, and neighbors who have been understanding and compassionate during this life-changing event. When I was in the Hospital I...

My father experiences Stage Four (D) Heart Failure, Ischemic Cardiomyopathy, Chronic Atrial Fibrilation, Pulmonary Hypertension (due to left heart disease) and CKD Stage Three. He underwent the LVAD procedure on Friday, April 26. Six days later he remains on a ventilator under heavy sedation. He has...

--Invitation to Participate-- We would like to better understand the experience of providing care to a family member or friend with an LVAD. If you are a caregiver of someone with a LVAD, we invite you to copy paste on the following link to see if you are eligible to participate in our study. https:...

Just wondering if anyone else have ongoing scabs around the drive line my doctor says the site looks good no infections and it would never heal because no matter how secure the line is it still moves. Had my lvad since Aug 2018 doing well even went to my winter camp for ice fishing and my inverter...

It has now been eight weeks since my LVAD implantation and life has been going reasonably well since my surgery. Two weeks in the hospital, one week in a motel adjacent to the hospital, five weeks at home. My caregiver returned to his family last week so I am now on my own. I will be starting back...

Hi my husband has just had his lvad 4wks today we have been having hard time as he has had a few hick ups . Just felt needed to chat to some one in simular situation many thank . Margaret x

I am the proud owner of a Heartmate 3 LVAD. I have had it for 15 months now and have has an interesting ride, but that is for a later post. My issues have been with driveline management and skin rashes. My skin is very sensitive to tape and adhesives and it has been a challenge to find the most...

Just thought I would let y'all know carew medical wear is having a 4th of July sale. I just received a e-mail from them. My coordinators love this lvad shirt, I'm very happy with it too. www.carewmedicalwear.com

I have Heartmate II equipment for sale. It is in STELLAR condition, recently tune up my my LVAD team, cleaned, new power cord added, new batteries given to me, new battery tops..... everything! I also have a gently used LVAD bag. It's like new! And I had driveline site care supplies and LOADS of...

My dad had an lvad placed a month ago and had internal bleeding that led to a stroke. Has anyone else had issues with surgery? He is 74 and having a rough time, he has a Trach and still dependent on the ventilator. Does anyone have stories where they had issues and it took a long time to recover?

Something that I've been considering doing is getting a embroidered patch made so that my go bag is clearly marked as medical equipment. I feel that this is important since I actually use a LowePro Camera bag with padded compartments and dual shoulder straps for carrying my spare batteries,...

Hello All! My Dad had his LVAD surgery on the 6th of March, 2019. I believe he had an anxiety attack today but wanted to see if anyone else had any of the same symptoms. He's 79 and had a heart attack in 2015. Was told February 6th he had 3-6 months to live if he didn't try to qualify for the LVAD....

I am 65 and my Heartmate III was implanted on March 11, 2019. I was discharged from the hospital 8 days after surgery and came home. I am extremely fortunate to have an excellent caregiver, my wife Carol. We are making the 3 hour one way drive each week to KU Medical Center for follow up visits and...