When was the last time you had the opportunity to tell your story? Your own, personal life-story: Living life with an LVAD. What does it feel like to tell your story? What sort of responses do you hear when you take the time to share your story?

Telling your story is an important element in the process of recovery and the reestablishment of "normal". Look for opportunities to tell your story to someone. There appears to be some connection between the telling of your story and a sense of well-being. Many people report feeling encouraged when given the chance to share their story. Telling your story not only supports you in your recovery it also can enlarge the hearts of your listeners.

Telling your story starts with the awareness that your life has meaning. Certainly, not every life story is pretty. In fact, sometimes a person’s life story can be downright messy. However, telling your story about your new life on a heart pump is undeniably therapeutic.

Think about this: You walk into a room filled with family and friends celebrating a holiday, birthday, wedding or anniversary. The first thing they notice is your controller or batteries hanging from your holsters or tucked into your vest. It is not that easy to hide 8 to 10 pounds of equipment. So, you generously listen to well-meaning folks ask questions about your “heart thingy.” Then you begin telling your story. After all, it’s your story. You can tell your story in a more informal presentation; over coffee with a friend, breakfast with the guys, at the firehouse, bridge club, and in a pottery class or other small group settings.