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Rumana R. Family Member

Need advice for my Dad

Thu, 04/22/2021 - 3:22PM

Hello! My dad 80 is still in ICU for the last 6 days. He was closed on last Monday. He is still intubated and they are slowly trying to wake him up. They have started nose feeding and has the temp RVAD on. I was wondering if anyone in the group went through the same experience? How long it took you to be able to talk and walk? Were you intubated while awake? Is it painful? We feel helpless and sad to see him go through so much pain. I wanted to know if this is part of the recovery process, while I understand it varies for each individual. Thank you in advance.

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Jyostna P.

Mon, 04/26/2021 - 2:06PM

sorry to hear about your dad. I am a caregiver. my husband is 72 and went through the same  He has Heartmate 3. It is very painful  to see what they go through.He was not able to talk for 2months, then started wispering and now he can talk. he was not able to walk too. it was about 3 mths later that he can walk with walker. so I think your dad should recover  soon . I  pray for his recovery and strength for you.

Jyotsna.

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Jyostna P.

Mon, 04/26/2021 - 2:07PM

sorry to hear about your dad. I am a caregiver. my husband is 72 and went through the same  He has Heartmate 3. It is very painful  to see what they go through.He was not able to talk for 2months, then started wispering and now he can talk. he was not able to walk too. it was about 3 mths later that he can walk with walker. so I think your dad should recover  soon . I  pray for his recovery and strength for you.

Jyotsna.

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Maureen R.

Mon, 04/26/2021 - 3:14PM

Sorry about your Dad, my husband was unconscious and ventilated for 3 weeks after LVAD op 4 years ago but he did eventually come round and progressed well. It’s such a massive op and assault on the body , takes time to recover . Wish you well and your dad a safe recovery 

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Diane B.

Mon, 04/26/2021 - 7:18PM

Hi Rumana

Like you said everyone is different. The first few weeks are the toughest. I understand that many VAD patients are extubated in a week and out of ICU in a couple of weeks and home in 3 or 4 but I am starting to think that is the exception not the norm. My husband had a similiar experience to Jyostna's  comment. This is the hardest time right now. Some people take longer coming off ventilation or intubation especially if there are any lung complications (my husband got 2 hospital acquired pneumonias) so it took weeks. Are you able to visit? If so hold his hand, talk to him even if he is sedated and cannot respond. He tells me now of things he thought he dreamt me saying or doing - most of them actually happened when he was in an induced coma on a ventilator. My husband has been home since Thanksgiving. When he came home he could not talk or swallow and was only walking short distances with walker. He needed major help to just get in and out of bed. Last week he drove the car for the 1st time in a year and a half ! This surgery is a miracle. He has not been this good in 2 years. Make sure you take care of yourself - I know how the stress can run you down. My thoughts are with you.

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Sandra K.

Tue, 05/30/2023 - 3:29PM

Rumana R., I asked my husband after I had lvad surgery how many days after the surgery was I awake and communicating. He said about 1-2 weeks. I was on a ventilator for about a week. It wasn't helping me breath but was in place in case I needed it.  My lvad surgery wasnt planned and was an emergency situation. I had other medical issues going on, caused by a bad cardiologist, that over did my blood thinners. Fast forward I was transferred to a hospital that saved my life with an lvad. Yes, everyone is different in their recovery and it can't be rushed. Sometimes we forget how hard things are on the family members waiting for someone to recover in the hospital. Keep faith and keep God close. It does help.