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Kevin M. Recipient

My 1st trip with LVAD

Fri, 06/08/2012 - 4:22PM

Having just returned from my 1st flight with LVAD, I wanted to share a few thoughts that may be helpful to any of you who are planning a flight or considering summer travel. I had a wonderful friend as traveling companion and she helped out in more ways that I could describe, like keeping track of the luggage at Security. In fact, without her, I probably could not have made this 1st trip.

I packed my LVAD Base Unit, Charger, cables, batteries and emergency gear according to the article posted on MyLVAD.com. It was very helpful and I recommend that you read through it and follow its suggestions. But 22? x 14? carry on bags can be slightly different in construction and size, so practice your packing a few days before the trip to may sure it will work for you.

I live in Atlanta, so there are long walks through terminals to gates, so I would suggest that you use a ?spinner? (4-wheel) carry on bag instead of the 2-wheel variety. The 2-wheeler just got to be too heavy for me. Beside, I had one bag for clothes, which I checked, and another that acted as my combination emergency bag and briefcase. So I had to manage 3 bags, which was very clumsy, at least until I got one bag checked.

I used an off-site parking lot, where the operator?s van picks you up at your parking space and drops you at the airline door at the terminal. The driver will help with your luggage but it also means a proper tip to him. In fact, I found that I needed help at every turn and I should have carried substantially more tip money than I did.

We got to the airport about 2-

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Christine E.

Fri, 06/08/2012 - 7:41PM

Thank you for all these terrific tips! I'm only 3 months out and doing really well. I have been thinking about resuming my travelling (a hobby since I retired) but had a real sense of being overwhelmed by the daunting tasks associated with the lvad. You've eased my mind considerably. Thank you so much for sharing!

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Kevin M.

Fri, 06/08/2012 - 9:14PM

I'm delighted to hear that you're doing so well. Just make sure you have clearance to travel from your hospital. They will produce a letter of authorization for you to give to TSA. (I just added that to my article)

Like everything with LVAD, it's a bit more complicated but much easier than I expected. And since experience id the best teacher, I'll do even better next time.

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Melody T.

Wed, 06/13/2012 - 12:03PM

Kevin your right, take a wheelchair in the airport. My husband did not want a wheelchair assistance the first time we traveled. After that trip, he was the first to ask for a wheelchair as all the walking was too exhausting. We became very comfortable traveling with his LVAD for two years! Now that he has received the gift of life from his new heart, we are awaiting for that first trip without the LVAD.

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Beth S.

Wed, 06/13/2012 - 8:28PM

I am totally impressed with your story and patience..My husband is waiting for the sugery for an LVAD. I am very spectical because he has not been caring for himself in the meantine, exericise, food and smoking. so I want to know what his end of this surgery is, it is not all on me.. I am done, so to speak

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Pat A.

Sun, 10/28/2012 - 8:21AM

Thank you so much for your sharing .my husband is having a hard time doing in over nighter or bringing his charger,etc. We are planning to go to Fl. this winter. I can see where the wheel chair would be so helpful. My husband has that ego problem that you talked about. He would rather have me carry everything !!!!! Which isn;t easy I'm sure

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Peter H.

Mon, 10/29/2012 - 12:56PM

I've had my VAD for a year and a half (HeartWare). I'm a musician and I travel a LOT. Definitely good advice for all here in your post! I have not had any problems traveling. I try to fly Southwest Airlines whenever I can because they are so accommodating to all travelers. I do travel with my wife everywhere I go and together we have this down to a science. For the past 6 weeks we've been flying out every weekend. Only three more trips to go before we shut down for December.

I would suggest keeping ALL of your batteries with you at all times when flying. Delays do happen and if it's a long one you cannot get to your bags.

One last thing EXERCISE as much as you can. Push yourself. If your rehab trainer asks you to walk a half mile, give him the whole mile. And go often. They all tend to recommend three times per week, go five times a week. Your body will love you for it.

I walked a half marathon last April 28 here in Nashville, TN. It was one year to the day that I was life-flighted out to Houston to get my VAD.