FREE LVAD VEST INSTRUCTIONS. My Wife Made Me a Wonderful LVAD Vest! Email us For FREE INSTRUCTIONS at hankpattyrichmond@icloud.com Updated 2024
Sat, 03/28/2015 - 9:26PMPLEASE EMAIL US DIRECTLY FOR INSTRUCTIONS at Hankpattyrichmond@icloud.com
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 of June, 2014. I want to share with you the vest that my wife Patty made for me for my Heartmate II gear. I've been wearing them (I have had at least 10 in all) since September 2014. I needed something comfortable and balanced that would fit under my shirt. After some experiments, she came up with this one, see pictures. It's very comfortable, I forget I'm wearing it, and I can play golf in it! The wires are tucked away and protected too. Patty made a word document with pictures and instructions on how she made the vest. You can adapt it to your own size and desires. I would be happy to send the instructions to you, just send your request to the email above. We wish you a strong recovery with your LVAD.
Dear Friends, please don’t forget to scroll to the end to see all of the wonderful photos of how this legendary vest will blend into your body and give you comfort and independence. Hank could not say enough about how this vest changed his life. It really did help him to recover and live a high quality of life. Hank had his LVAD for five and a half years. We traveled all over the US and five times to Europe during that time. Hank passed away on December 6, 2019. He had a stroke on December 4, passed very quickly and did not suffer. Up to that day he lived life to the fullest, and so can you. Please note that in 2017 Hank fell off a low ladder that he was advised not to use. That led to his medical complications, so keep that in mind. Please enjoy this wonderful vest, and enjoy your life, like Hank did. Thanks, Patty Richmond
Back Pack
Mon, 06/18/2018 - 10:08AMIn reply to Back Pack by Marion C.
Glen R.Back packs
Mon, 06/25/2018 - 3:33PMIn reply to Back Pack by Marion C.
Barry and Susan (caregiver) S.Back pack
Tue, 06/26/2018 - 7:55AMAre you looking for something made and is shipped in 24 hours?
Wed, 10/10/2018 - 10:23AMAre you looking for something that is made and will be shipped out within 24 hours?
If so, look no further: LVAD Gear has designed a shirt and other accessories just for HeartWare & HeartMate LVADs. The shirt features a double locking controller pocket with a window and locking battery pockets.
See the full line of LVAD Clothing including HeartWare and HeartMate specific backpacks, sleeping belts and a selection of vest options at www.lvadgear.com.
Everything ships out within 24 hours. Check out www.LVADGear.com today!
LVAD Vest
Sat, 11/10/2018 - 8:51AMHello,
My brother is having LVAD surgery next week and I would like to surprise him with a vest. Can you please forward the pattern to: mcfadyenjoan@gmail.com
thank you!!
lvad vest
Tue, 01/01/2019 - 3:31PMWould this vest work with a Heartmate 3? Can women wear this vest as well?
June B.
In reply to lvad vest by june B.
Henry R.Yes, this will work with a…
Mon, 02/18/2019 - 10:29PMYes, this will work with a Heartmate 3, and can be adjusted for men or women of any size.
LVAD Vest
Fri, 02/01/2019 - 10:08PMThank you for sharing your Vest, it looks comfortable. I like the way it conceals the wires and batteries and how they are positioned! Can it be used by a female LVADi?
Hanunah
In reply to LVAD Vest by Hanunah U.
Henry R.Yes.
Mon, 02/18/2019 - 10:30PMYes.
In reply to LVAD Vest by Hanunah U.
Henry R.Yes.
Mon, 02/18/2019 - 10:30PMYes.
Patty's LVAD
Mon, 02/18/2019 - 12:02PMwHEN YOU ARE IN a cooler climate Patty's design is absolutely the best I have used. My wife has adjusted the design slightly to take into account my short trunk. For warmer weather Frances Cupiolo's shirt available on Etsy is the best. Frances will adjust battery pockets and other things to adjust for your body shape.
Patty's LVAD
Mon, 02/18/2019 - 12:02PMwHEN YOU ARE IN a cooler climate Patty's design is absolutely the best I have used. My wife has adjusted the design slightly to take into account my short trunk. For warmer weather Frances Cupiolo's shirt available on Etsy is the best. Frances will adjust battery pockets and other things to adjust for your body shape.
LVAD Shirt
Thu, 01/16/2020 - 6:15PMMy Sister in Law made me three LVAD shirts the Controller has its own pocket and so do each Battery. Once I get my Transplant I will be giving my shirts to an Lvad patient.
Fatigue and lightheadedness
Sun, 01/26/2020 - 11:21AMI have an LVAD 3 and am experiencing some on going lightheadedness and fatigue for some time now. We have done numerous tests and are struggling to identify the cause of these issues. We have been able to verify it is not dehydration or excess fluid. Was wondering if anyone has experienced these issues and if so, if you could share what your doctors have done to resolve these issues for you? Thank You.
In reply to Fatigue and lightheadedness by Michael C.
Reiss T.Lightheadedness and fatigue
Mon, 02/03/2020 - 11:20AMI have had my Heartmate II for over 9 years and have occasionally had the same problem. Something that has helped me was cutting back on my blood pressure meds, with doctor's agreement, of course. That and extra hydrating has helped a lot. I turn 80 in two weeks and will never be back to my formerly active lifestyle but am happy to still be above ground and generally healthy. I have had no VAD or heart related problems to speak of but did have a cardioversion two years ago that seems to have done the trick to stop A-fib. I suggest you check with your doc about possibly cutting back on BP meds for a while to see if that helps.
In reply to Fatigue and lightheadedness by Michael C.
Todd J.I have
Mon, 02/03/2020 - 12:32PMI have experienced the same symptoms from time to time, but it goes away. I'm not sure what causes it. It could be diet. You mad need to do some light to moderate exercise to strengthen your heart a little. Having this inside us is a crap shot on how we'll feel on a day to day basis. Hang in there my friend. A transplant is right around the corner.
In reply to Fatigue and lightheadedness by Michael C.
Todd J.I have
Mon, 02/03/2020 - 12:32PMI have experienced the same symptoms from time to time, but it goes away. I'm not sure what causes it. It could be diet. You mad need to do some light to moderate exercise to strengthen your heart a little. Having this inside us is a crap shot on how we'll feel on a day to day basis. Hang in there my friend. A transplant is right around the corner.
In reply to Fatigue and lightheadedness by Michael C.
Todd J.I have
Mon, 02/03/2020 - 12:32PMI have experienced the same symptoms from time to time, but it goes away. I'm not sure what causes it. It could be diet. You mad need to do some light to moderate exercise to strengthen your heart a little. Having this inside us is a crap shot on how we'll feel on a day to day basis. Hang in there my friend. A transplant is right around the corner.
LVAD 3 and lightheadedness with fatigue
Tue, 01/28/2020 - 4:41PMI am assuming these are new symptoms and that your LDAV III has been in for a while ?
Mind you, I am NOT A DOCTOR. I am a "lay person" with some VAD exposure but no VAD training. So, these are just questions to ASK YOUR DOCTOR.
The symptoms (fatigue in muscles and lightheadedness) you describe may evolve over time ... rather than manifested immediatley ... when the VAD impeller speed is slightly mis-matched to your physiology.
Sometimes there is blood pooling in the lower extremities (numbness in the feet) due to low VAD blood flowage (impeller needs speed adjusting), but you did not mention this as a symptom.
Attributes (such as low impeller speed) in the blood flow controller circuits have to re-tuned sometimes, over the course of time, since the VAD impeller speed is software-fixed and not variable speed (self-adjusting for physiological changes).
Vest pattern
Mon, 02/03/2020 - 1:12PMYes I would like the vest pattern.
thank you , Susan Schaller
sgs1948@me.com
LVAD doc for get in in the bank, museums, airports
Mon, 02/03/2020 - 11:33PMHi,
Did someone receive a kind of document/card from the LVAD team specifying that we carry the LVAD in the body and an extra bag with backup equipment, to be used to pass entry control of banks, airport, museum or any controlled area? If yes, could you please send me a model/photo to show it to my LVAD team. Here in Brazil we are very few LVAD users and nobody knows it in this kind of services. Without a specific card it’s complicated to explain about LVAD anywhere we go. Maybe it would be also very useful for traveling to be shown to the flight company.
Thanks for any info in this field
Mariza
Made it - and wow it's a lifechanger
Fri, 03/06/2020 - 9:45AMThanks for the vest pattern. I found the instructions easy to follow and was able to make my first vest in 2.5 hours. The vest was a huge improvement to the fishing vest I purchased. Having the equipment sit close to the body and the crossed elastic in the back increased the safety and ease of wearing the equipment. Mobility has improved significantly. My cotton was lighter, so I added some interfacing. I will make a couple more after he test drives this for a few days.
Patty and Hank - you are the best!
Lisa
This vest has been a game…
Mon, 03/22/2021 - 5:30PMThis vest has been a game changer for my husband. It’s very comfortable for him to wear and he has become more active since starting to wear these vests. I’ve now made him 3 vests and he’s looking for more colors. Thanks so much for sharing this pattern Patty!
Vest
Wed, 07/06/2022 - 9:52AMI was sorry to read about your husband’s passing. It sounds like he did live life to the fullest and is certainly an inspiration. I got my heart mate 3 in March and am struggling to find clothing suitable for women. Please send. your vest instructions.
Nancy in Missouri
TSA XRay of LVAD equipment
Fri, 07/08/2022 - 9:00AMGoing on my first flight in USA after getting a Heart Mate 3 last year.
question: is there any problem with sending charger, extra batteries, mobile charging unit and backup controller though TSA XRay machine?
planning hand pat down for myself
please let me know of your experiences my Hospital LVAD nurse is saying nothing can go though XRAY
Thanks
Bill
Vest
Mon, 07/11/2022 - 5:09PMI would love to have pattern for the vest.
thank you, Connie Davison
My Wife Made Me a Wonderful LVAD Vest
Tue, 07/19/2022 - 12:14AMI am very sorry to read about Hank's passing.
I am just now coming up on 5 years for my Heartmate 3 and would be very grateful for the vest instructions if they are still available.
Thanks in advance, Deannie S. email is dndstills02@gmail.com
LVAD Gear / Charging station available
Mon, 07/25/2022 - 5:16PMHi All
Hope you are doing well or reasonably well. My husband got the Heartwear (HVAD) in January 2020. He got a stroke in September 2020, due to the fact that a clot developed that went to his brain (he was changing his battery and the other lead came off). But after that he improved and was thriving until May 1, 2022. There was a weird alarm for low flow (0.3) yet he didn't feel anything. We immediately reached out to the LVAD team and he was hospitalized. While he was stable and they were planning to get him listed for transplant while at the same time planning for surgery, his device alarmed again with high wattage. They could not wait anymore and had to decommission the device and gave him Impella (which worked very well for him before when he got the LVAD). But this time, somehow it didn't work and he crashed... coded.. for 35 mins. He survived that and they didn't think he will wake up etc. but he did. He remembered everything, was breathing on his own for 10 hours a day etc. but then June beginning he got infection and after that every time he got better, something happened to make things worse. Ultimately he got a massive brain bleed, and that was it. He was declared brain dead on June 26th. Due to the stupid device malfunction, I lost the love of my life, even if he fought so very valiantly.
I have the charging station and one extra battery (I gave the others to the hospital), LVAD dressing kits, sterile gloves, and lot of other wound dressings incl. Tegaderm dressings, especially the very large ones which you can put over the LVAD dressings before a bath etc.
If anyone wants anything, please feel free to reach out. I am in Stamford, CT.
Thank you and all the best to all of you!
best,
Sravasti
FREE LVAD VEST INSTRUCTIONS
Mon, 09/11/2023 - 12:27PMPlease email us at hankpattyrichmond@sbcglobal.net for the FREE LVAD VEST INSTRUCTIONS, I will quickly email them to you.
FREE LVAD VEST INSTRUCTIONS
Mon, 09/11/2023 - 12:36PMPLEASE EMAIL US AT HANKPATTYRICHMOND@SBCGLOBAL.NET AND I WILL EMAIL THE INSTRUCTIONS RIGHT AWAY. ENJOY!!