Patients and Caregivers Forums

Nine years ago today, Prof Phil Spratt and the wonderful, dedicated Heart team from St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney (Australia) inserted my Heartware LVAD and consequently extended my life another 9 years to date. I have been very fortunate to have used this time wisely and to the maximum with...

Hello, does anyone know of a nurse or where I can go for a dressing change in Corpus Christi, TX? I am traveling there soon for a couple of weeks and will not have my caregiver with me that does my changes. Any help is appreciated!

Hi friends! my father has had an lvad for about a year now, and he has some hopes of traveling. In particular, in Central America. The hospital at one point mentioned if he’d be traveling, it’d be a good idea to have an lvad clinic nearby in whatever place he was venturing, if anything were to...

I asked my husband who has a Heartmate 3 to dig out ten old t shirts he will still wear. THis is all he used to wear so he is comfortable in them. Then I got donations of old t shirts from our children and cut them up to make pockets to go on his old t shirts. I sew two pockets under the arms and...

Every time I have travelled out of state or country, I have travelled with someone. Has anyone travelled out of state, or out of country, alone? ~Matt

Hi, hello, good afternoon! My husband is jumping through the hoops to get qualified for the Heartmate II. We're just about done and meeting with the LVAD surgeon in just a week. I don't see many recent posts and it concerns me dearly. My husband is not a bridge to transplant due to his age (73) and...

My husband has had his Heartmate 3 for almost a year now. He has days where he gets a stinging pain at the drive line site. We have not been able to get an explanation for this. Has anyone else experienced this, know what causes this, or how to eliminate it?

My husband received a Heartmate III on 3/7 this year. He would like to have an extra mobile power unit and cables to keep in our family room as that is where we do most of our relaxing. Please let me know if you have an extra. We live in the Chicago area.

My significant other has back pain daily from carrying the battery bag during the day, otherwise he’s fairly active. I was considering getting a chair massager as a gift. I wondered if it would interfere with the function of the LVAD and pacemaker.

I have 2 hand-made vests that I'm willing to donate. I weigh 160 lbs. They are homemade from Henry's wife who creates these. Email me at snaaj_17602@yahoo.com if interested.

Hello everyone, I hope your all doing well and looking forward to the new year. Unfortunately, I lost my husband on Christmas Day. But his the getting the LVAD gave us so much more time to spend with him and make some incredible memories and we will be forever grateful and miss him dearly. I was...

My mom had an lvad and she passed away. I have a bunch of equipment I would rather donate than just getting rid of. I would love to hear any ideas. I can send pictures if needed. Email me. Klwatk2@gmail.com

PLEASE 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...

Happy New Everyone. I pray all is well. I have a question and I hope someone can be of help. I have searched and searched for a fanny pack that will work for HeartMate 3. If you have found any please share with me the information. Thanks in advance for your time and help.

Hello everyone, I hope your all doing well and looking forward to the new year. Unfortunately, I lost my husband on Christmas Day. But his the getting the LVAD gave us so much more time to spend with him and make some incredible memories and we will be forever grateful and miss him dearly. I was...

Hello everyone, I hope your all doing well and looking forward to the new year. Unfortunately, I lost my husband on Christmas Day. But his the getting the LVAD gave us so much more time to spend with him and make some incredible memories and we will be forever grateful and miss him dearly. I was...

Hello everyone, I hope your all doing well and looking forward to the new year. Unfortunately, I lost my husband on Christmas Day. But his the getting the LVAD gave us so much more time to spend with him and make some incredible memories and we will be forever grateful and miss him dearly. I was...

Looking for emotional support from other caregivers, and especially from LVAD knowledgeable Counselors. Please advise if there are counselors available through this site, or anywhere that you know of. Thank you.

Hi all!! I am a PhD student and I am looking to interview young adult caregivers (age 18-29) of patients with LVADs. Each caregiver will be asked to participate in 2 interviews. The interviews would be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. All participants will receive a $25 Amazon gift card at the...

First time posting,, December 14th is my two year anniversary with the lvad, Balancing a positive mindset has been an on going issue,I'll be turning 48 in September I recently lost my younger brother who was 42, too a massive heart attack ,in July. The depression is Abit much I feel I'm losing what...