Patients and Caregivers Forums

I was disappointed to hear from my doctor that right now I'm not a candidate for an LVAD. I didn't know until my doctor informed us that your heart has to be enlarged and you have to have a certain Ejection fraction in order to get an LVAD. Right now my heart isn't the size and my ejection fraction...

Hi all!! My name is Dick. I was just reminded that I joined this forum 15 days ago. Here is my story so far. I went to the hospital on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to get the evaluations and approvals done. I was supposed to return the following week and have the LVAD installed if all went well...

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...

If anyone would like to laugh, talk, cry, scream and just sat in silence. Plz feel free to reach out. You are not along. I have had my LVAD for almost 3 yrs….so I know a little something of what you may be going through. You are STRONGER than you know. 🤗🤗

Been dealing with a rash around the port area. Port is not infected. My skin can't take anymore adhesive. Wondering if anyone has experienced this situation. Any help or suggestion would help!!!

2 days after his 5th year anniversary with the LVAD my husband passed away on month shy of his 61st birthday (which is next week). I have the wall plug, the battery charger with 8 batteries and the harness. I am in NC so please let me know if anyone needs any of these items. Contact me if these...

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...

My daily routine: 1. Do a self-check of the controller, check the readings, and check for alarms (low flow and power). 2. Disconnect from remote power; connect to the batteries. 3. If staying-in-the house, use controller bag supplied by the hospital. 4. If going out, use fishing vest purchased from...

Hi- I am a new recipient for the Heartmate 3. My surgery was on May 3 of this year. My recovery has been a little rocky- but my medical team has really helped and I am now stable.. That said- I have really been having quite a bit of trouble with worrying about contracting Covid. I had my usual labs...

It’s been two years since my implant. I’ve got a 9 year old nephew that wants me to trick or treating! Depending on how quickly it gets dark here in Michigan tonight, I might be able to get on lvad zoom group. Don’t count it though! Candy Time!! Wahoo😝😝

How do others do it? My husband had a heart attack end of January 2022 and received an LVAD on Valentines Day. He is home and going through cardiac rehab but because there was a head injury, injury to femoral artery and now he has neuropathy in his feet bad, he can't work again. This was supposed to...

Hi all! I am new to the LVAD caregiver community. My Father-in-law has his LVAD surgery this Wednesday. He is a BIG lover of the outdoors so I want to get him a fishing style vest to haul around his equipment in (his backup equipment will be in a bag). Can anyone with a HeartMate 3 tell me the...

The Electric Cranks are a group of LVAD recipients from across the North of England, all patients at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester. A number of us are awaiting a heart transplant. We had all been physically fit and active prior to developing severe heart conditions which required life-saving...

Hello, My husband and I are considering spending a month or so in the Ft. Myers/Naples, FL area. I'd be more comfortable if I knew of a hospital/cardiology group located in the area that I could contact in case there would be any type of emergency that could come up with my husband's Medtronic LVAD...

PLEASE EMAIL US DIRECTLY FOR INSTRUCTIONS at Hankpattyrichmond@sbcglobal.net. We have received and filled hundreds of requests for the LVAD vest instructions. We hope that you were able to make your vest and are enjoying its benefits. My name is Hank Richmond. I received my LVAD on Friday the 13th...

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...

I have two brand new shower bags love to offer them to anyone in need of them.

My mom had an lvad and she passed away. I have a bunch of equipment I would rather donate than just getting rid of. I would love to hear any ideas. I can send pictures if needed. Email me. Klwatk2@gmail.com

Hi my brother brother has had an l vad For about 8 years now. Around June he suffered a fall hitting his head and causing him to have a brain bleed, He had to be rushed to Rochester in Minnesota. They removed part of a skull to let his brain swell. He was in the hospital for For 50 days and now he...

Lets get to it. The worst thing that can happen to an LVAD user is a drive line infection. It can put you in the hospital many times over and cures with the various antibiotics may or may not work for you. It can lead to extra surgeries for debridement and in some cases make it worse. In my case I...