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Bernita D. Caregiver

L-VAD Failure

Fri, 08/07/2020 - 9:22AM

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 thrive with the LVAD, lots of low flows, medicine changes, hospital stays, weight loss and much more. He is now on hospice care, doing very well right now, by the way, but I said all that to say this.... I am so thankful to God for keeping him thus far, but I am mentally trained. I’m gonna, along with his hospice nurses and other family just do the best we can. I don’t know what the outcome would’ve been without the VAD, but with it has been a lot. Please send up prayers for my husband and for all of us❤️

 

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Reiss T.

Mon, 08/10/2020 - 9:04AM

Bernita, you and Michael have my prayers and I'm sure those of many others. Many can empathize but only you and those others who have been in your situation can really understand. Would you mind sharing the name of the medical center where he has been treated?

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Bernita D.

Mon, 08/10/2020 - 5:54PM

Not at all. He had his surgery and was treated at Sentara Norfolk General Heart Hospital in Norfolk, Va., and I have nothing but good things to say about his physicians and team. They have given Michael excellent care. 

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Douglas R.

Mon, 08/10/2020 - 3:11PM

Bernita, 

You and Michael are so fortunate to have each other!  I read between the lines how caring and strong you are.  On July 29 I heard a sermon, “A Courageous Life”, that started with:  “When we recognize God’s presence with us, courage starts to develop in us.”.  My prayer for you and Michael is for strength, courage and peace.    Thank you for sharing.  💕🙏 Susan 

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Douglas R.

Mon, 08/10/2020 - 3:12PM

Bernita, 

You and Michael are so fortunate to have each other!  I read between the lines how caring and strong you are.  On July 29 I heard a sermon, “A Courageous Life”, that started with:  “When we recognize God’s presence with us, courage starts to develop in us.”.  My prayer for you and Michael is for strength, courage and peace.    Thank you for sharing.  💕🙏 Susan 

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Maureen R.

Mon, 08/10/2020 - 3:49PM

My heart goes out to you and your husband. My husband has had his LVAD  almost 4 years but is also struggling now . I thank god for the extra time we’ve had also so can totally understand your feelings . 

Take care 🙏

Maureen 

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Ernest M.

Tue, 08/11/2020 - 11:36AM

I had my heart attack on 5.Jun.19, the same day my father had his 40 years earlier, he didn’t make it. After that I then had CHF, requiring me to have a LVAD. Like the rest of us, it has given us a second chance. When I get down, how is my wife going be, how much of my grandkids life am I going to see, I have to remind myself that I have given a second chance. So enjoy the time we all have been given. 

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Joyce T.

Thu, 10/22/2020 - 2:29PM

It is so hard to watch the loved of our lives struggle. The VAD does give us time with our loved ones.  I wonder have any of you noticed a change in you loved ones attitude. My Glen went from a very loving and caring man to a very sad snd depressed man. It was hard to watch this. We had been married for 50 years when he said I am never having another surgery or taking another at home Treatment.   I could tell he had given up. It was hard to watch this. So I set out to find him mental help. But every time he would tell them I’m doing great I don’t need help my wife worries to much. They believed him and that was that   He is gone now and I’m alone and sad. But I know he is at peace with our lord and in no more pain. But I am sad and miss him so much. The other night the dolphins were playing. That is our team. They were playing so well I found myself making comments about the game to glen.  Then I cried.   Well I won’t bore you with my stories. I know you all have these to share.  God bless you all and take care of yourselves.     Joyce

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Maureen R.

Tue, 08/18/2020 - 11:10AM

Hello Lisa

my husband was unable to be placed on transplant list as he was assessed as unable to withstand the surgery. Following LVAD surgery in October 2016, he suffered ischaemic bowel and needed more surgery to resection his bowel resulting in an  illeostomy. This was life saving surgery (again) . He has since had problems with weight loss and it has affected his ability to fight infection. He is v poorly currently .
 

i woukd have dearly  loved him to have been a candidate for transplant but I’m grateful for the extra time we’ve had as prior to LVAD he was extremely poorly.

im sorry to ramble on, sometimes it’s good to discuss what has happened.

 

i hope you are ok. 
best wishes 

 

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Lisa W.

Sun, 10/25/2020 - 10:43AM

Thank you for responding.  My husband has had his LVAD since Dec 2019 and really wants a transplant.   I’m trying to find out why some are not candidates.  So far he’s been denied from 2 different places, they say it’s because of insurance.  Hopefully something will come along.  

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Bernita D.

Mon, 10/05/2020 - 9:27PM

My Michael has gone to be with Lord. He passed away on September 2nd. Even though he was never able to receive a transplant; I’m thankful for the added time having the LVAD allowed him. May God continue to bless and keep each of you! Blessings❤️

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Bernita O.

Thu, 10/22/2020 - 7:51PM

Hello Bernita, 

My name is also Bernita. I am a LVAD patient and a Transplant candidate. I'm so sorry that Micheal lost his battle with heart disease. i woils like to praise you for being a supportive wife and caregiver. God bless you, your family and Micheal. May he rest in peace.

  

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Joyce T.

Mon, 10/19/2020 - 1:23PM

Hi all. I just wanted to share some vital information with the lvad family. My husband passed away on December 21 of last year. He had had his lvad nearly 5 years snd was doing great  we were on our way to dinner when a buss hit our brand new car. Glen has his batteries setting on the center console of the car. It fell to the floor he felt no pain and we neither of us was hurt.  The point is he got an infection in his driveline and he passed away from that. It was nearly a year after the accident.  Had we called an ambulance for him. I believe he would still be with me. So I want to share this with all of you. Protect your driveline. Secure your bag and if you fall or have even a small accident. Take an ambulance to the hospital. Stay safe. This will protect your health. God bless you all and I thank the lvad team for the few more years I had with my wonderful. Husband. Hugs to you all  

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Joyce T.

Wed, 10/21/2020 - 2:18PM

Do to the car accident  he died from an infection in his driveline.  I just posted my story to warn lvad patients to make sure they go to the hospital after any type accident no matter how small.  We did not do that because it was not that big a deal at the time.  Had we taken glen to the hospital. I believe he would still be alive today.  Just wanted all lvad patients to be aware.  

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Joyce T.

Thu, 10/22/2020 - 1:15AM

Thank you for that Lisa. Glen was such a great person. The world needed people like him. I was married to him for 50 years.  It seemed like a blink of time  I miss him so.  I pray for the safety of all lvad patients and there loving caregivers.   God bless you all. Joyce

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Maureen R.

Sun, 10/25/2020 - 3:41PM

Joyce 

I am so sorry for your loss, he sounds like he was a wonderful partner for all those years. Treasure your memories of your time together . 
take care and God bless you