LVAD... Left Ventricular Assist Device

THIS BLOG POWERED BY THE THORATEC HEARTMATE II LVAD:















PARTIAL HEART PUMP = LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE = LVAD = THE HEARTMATE II



THE LVAD ALLOWED ME to go HOME and conquer my normal and newest tasks once again.



Thank you Columbia-Presbyterian... Dr Naka and his Surgery Team, LVAD Nation, Dr Bijou & Dr Bonoan, Dr Mascitelli and Dr Shulman-Marcus!!!



AND TO THE SCORES OF PHYSICIANS, NURSES, PROFESSIONALS AND PEOPLE THAT PUSHED ME ALONG THE WAY... FORWARD.



Thank You God For I Am Blessed!







If I Was An LVAD-NASCAR Race CAR

If I Was An LVAD-NASCAR Race CAR
I would look like this :-)

FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY LVAD DAILY NEWS AND INFO FEED

10 June 2012

2 Years And 7 Months... LVAD Life As I Know It

At the risk of sounding redundant, quality of life couldnt be better for me.  I often think of how I felt prior to my LVAD implant in November 2009.  It is like night and day.  From very short distances of walking to almost unlimited amounts of walking. I have gone from a tentative Iron Man to a one that pushes my limits in an effort that safely tests my LVAD limits and my own Native Heart.

In FACT 2 days ago my wife and I walked close to 8 miles throughout Manhattan with approximately 3 1/2 miles of walking on the High Line in the Meat Packing District.  if you dont know what the High Line is, visit here: www.HighLine.Org

The High Line is truly an Oasis located on a former elevated Train line that the Meat Packing District used for deliveries.  It stands to be the most beautiful and innovative Boardwalk that I have ever walked on.  Views of the NYC and NJ skylines as well as interactive displays of nature... nestled between a beautifully landscape walk of Art, flowers, trees, grass, water.  The scent of the flowers almost blanket the entire walk from end to end. there is also a "river inspired" water display that tricks the mind into thinking we are at a river bank :-)

So, without my HeartMate II / LVAD things such as this i couldnt enjoy. I am blessed to be able to reap from the benefits of my HeartMate II

AND THE GOOD SAGA CONTINUES...


19 February 2012

EVEN THROUGH STORMY DAYS THE HEARTMATE II LVAD GIVES ME MY SUNSHINE :-)

SOME LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES (LVAD) LOOK LIKE "DOOR KNOBS" OR OLD AUTOMOTIVE WATER PUMPS... MY HEARTMATE II RESEMBLES A MINATURE VERSION OF  THE PLUMBING UNDER MY BATHROOM SINK.  I AM BLESSED AS I CAN NOT IMAGINE LIFE WITH OUT MY "LVADone"... THE NAME I HAVE GIVEN TO MY LVAD.  WHY LVADone? BECAUSE IF THE PRESIDENT FLIES IN AIRFORCEone OR MARINEone... I HAVE LVADone PROTECTING ME THROUGH MY DAYS... MY LIFE... MY LVADone!!!

AND THE GOOD SAGA CONTINUES...

14 February 2012

The Most Important LVAD SweetHeart: YOUR OWN HEART! LOVE IT! RESPECT IT! Walk It!


As Valentines Day is here, i would like to emphasize my Love for my Wife and for my Family on Valentines Day 2012.  However MORE importantly is the fact that our BIGGEST SWEETHEART should be our own hearts and those with heart failure... what remains of our functioning heart should be treated well. Loved! Respected! TREATED to healthiest diets possible. And last but not least our Hearts should be walked and if possible... exercised to Healthier and stronger limits.

I have an LVAD which means my Left Ventricle is in dire need of assistance from my Ventricular Device... The LVAD.  I am so blessed to be in the age of the implanted LVAD and to live another day to make a difference.

I OWE IT TO THE  RIGHT SIDE OF MY HEART TO KEEP IT AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE as my HeartMate II is taking care of the Left side chores... :-)

Happy Valentines Day to My Wife,Mom,
Daughter,Son-in-law,grandson1,grandson2,Son1,Son2,Sisters and Families, My Extended Family, Friends, My LVAD FAMILY, Dr B and his Family, Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital Family and to my Thoratec Family.

04 February 2012

LVADone BECOMES "LVAD PRESLEY" FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY LVAD LP HEARTMATE HOTEL/Thanks to Thoratec


I HAD AN EXTRAORDINARY TIME IN LAS VEGAS AS I ALONG WITH THE BIONIC BRIDE AND DENNIS HALL WERE SURPRISE GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE ANNUAL THORATEC meeting. There were approximately 200 Thoratec employees on hand.

The lights were dim, the stage was dark as the three of us walked up to the stage. A video of the three of us were playing on screens behind us. Some of the 200 employees recognized our silhouettes in dark as we walked in. I was obvious with my hat :-) Ally Smith Babineaux AKA The Bionic Bride was recognized with her long hair and dress. We even heard from the audience... "thats The Bionic Bride... That's "From The Bottom Of My LVAD". THEN THE LIGHTS came on.

After the standing ovation and cheers we sat down and began to notice a large number of Thoratec employees crying!  I was amazed from the outpouring of LOVE that came from Thoratec... and we hadn't even begun to speak! 

During each of our  on  stage testimonials the audience reacted with applause, laughter and sniffles throughout.  The three of us were stars in the eyes of Thoratec. We all felt that Thoratec holds each LVAD recipient/patient as stars in their own right, but we were blessed to be there to experience first hand  and share it.

Throughout my days in Las Vegas, i was confronted by the Thoratec employees and was told which posts or pictures they loved from my blog.  It was amazing as it seemed they knew my blog better than me :-) It was humbling to know that my Blog work was appreciated and followed

Loads of photos were taken so more posts will follow in the coming days...

(And I always remember the words at Club Presby... by the most peaceful, philosophical and inspiring angels there... Pearl...

 I said to Peral  "goodbye, see you soon!" Pearl quickly quipped back in her confident and shining demeanor "I want to see you, but not for a very long time. If I see you soon, it means you will be back with problems. I want to see you but take your time and live.... enjoy... I will be here"

I often think of her words and kindness that she spreads.  She has a beautiful gift that she lovingly embraces and shares with those who need it.  )

AND THE GOOD  SAGA CONTINUES...

10 January 2012

LIKE AN ASTRONAUT:AN LVAD HERO OF MINE

The Torios and I met two years ago Through this Blog when our LVAD journey began.

How do you show people, that you have met through illlness and survival, that you are so thankful for their Love and Friendship? For me i am putting it in a piece of Art...

WE LOVE YOU Cris and Suzanne :-)
Josh and Anne Marie





AND THE GOOD SAGA CONTINUES...

01 January 2012

RECOGNIZING DR DeBakey AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

Something goofy i wanted to work on and here it is :-) HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL... I AM BLESSED FOR A BETTER LIFE BECAUSE OF MY LVAD. THANK YOU COLUMBIA NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL AND THORATEC...




...THANK YOU FROM MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS


AND THE GOOD SAGA CONTINUES...