Discussions: Caregiver Support

My husband, Michael had his LVAD implanted in August 2019 after much discussion and lots of defib shocks. He has been in heart failure since his heart attack in 2017... well as of June 2020 it has been determined by his team that a heart transplant will not happen for him. He hasn’t been able to...

Hello everyone! My husband is getting the LVAD this Friday. We knew about his heart failure but getting the VAD this early was a surprise, his condition has declined quickly. I'm nervous about a lot of things but would love advice from younger couples/families (older couples too if you have advice!)...

My significant other had LVAD implantation last year in May. Before he had the surgery his heart function was at 15% and he had prepared himself that he was going to die. His children and I talked to him about pursuing LVAD surgery and he seemed receptive. We went to Mayo and they said he would be a...

Hello everyone. My mother has been having LVAD for 6 years. We cannot measure his blood pressure in any way, sometimes it can be measured on the monitors in the hospital. There is a thrombus shortage in both the pump and the default. For this reason, we want to observe the blood pressure in some way...

Hello all. I recently joined this forum because my husband has end stage congestive heart failure. I feel like this has happened so fast. He had a massive heart attack in May 2019 and his EF is 20%. He has been in and out of the hospital multiple times, many times for fluid retention. He has an ICD...

Hello. I honestly just wanted some advice and knowledge on what to expect if my Mom ends up getting one. They are discussing it during this hospital admission. I have been looking after both of my parents for the past three months as my Mom has been in and out of the hospital and my Dad has...

My brother received his LVAD on 02/02/2015. We went through the same search. The vest he received in hospital was uncomfortable for him. At one of his therapy sessions we found the answer. I replicated an idea a fellow patient's wife devised for him. We use mans tank tops which I modify. Turn shirt...

Hi my ex husband is having an LVAD this wk. He has asked me to be a caregiver. I have researched much information, however I have not been able to find out much about what role caregiver takes. If anyone could tell me what to expect I would greatly appreciate it and any advice. Thank-you

Hello All, My father just had the LVAD surgery on October 12, 2017. I was wondering if anyone experienced weight loss or loss of energy after the surgery. If so, how long did it take for your weight loss to level out.

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...

This may not be the forum for this question, but who better to answer my questions than those living with an LVAD and the people who care for them. My fathers LVAD (Heart Mate II) was implanted August 2015. When he had his heart attack we were literally told to take him home so he could die, as the...

My wife of 37 years is the entire reason for my survival. I had a heart mate 2 put in in January 2019. She has been by my side the entire 2 months in hospital. God bless her. Love you Steph!!

My father had LVAD surgery on June 11th since then things have moved more slowly with his recovery than we had hoped. For the last 7-8 days has been suffering from low sodium levels, low oxygen levels, and bouts of what they are calling ICU Psychosis. He either is disoriented and unsure of where he...

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 husband is 72 end stage chf he had LVAD surgery fri morn it’s now tues and is still Intubated . Whenever the drs try to wake him up he gets very agitated and stressed. So the have to re intubate him. I am very scared for him. Is the confusion he is experiencing normal. ?

Hi, my name is phil lay and I've been the care giver for a grouchy old man since he received his first lvad (he's on his third one now). I've been fired several times, mind you I've never been hired or paid. I do it outta love for the old fart. So here's my question: he's in Sutter again, and this...

My husband was diagnosed with CHF in 2014. In 2017 he had a stroke and his heart enlarged and as time went on, his heart health declined a lot. Last week, while I was pumping gas, my husband, son (5 yrs) and daughter (2yrs) were in the car and my husbands ICD fired. HIs ICD fired a total of 54 in 40...

My husband got his lvad December 22nd, 2018 and he is getting discouraged as he feels he isn't making much progress. Feels like he takes one step forward and two back. Any ideas on how to encourage him.

I am writing this in hope of finding someone with some advice. Perhaps someone out there has experienced the following sympoms and has found healing. My father, is currently in the hospital and his team doesn't know for sure what is causing his constant dizziness and low PI. He has also experienced...

My 72 yr old husband had surgery on Sept 3rd 2018, he has the heartmate 3, he was in the hospital 11 days and did well, he's still improving everyday except for his balance and he gets light headed, the Dr had changed his blood pressure meds and it hasn't helped so now they want him to go to a ENT...