Being A Goaltender Represents: Accomplishments And Defeating Obstacles

As posted earlier, I have made the decision earlier this year to suit up and play in goal again.  It's a long, planned road of proper conditioning, extensive reinforcements and modifications of my hockey equipment.

I wouldn't recommend being a goalie to any of my fellow LVADers, but I have been playing in between the pipes my entire life. It was in 2009 with my first LVAD implant that I was told I could NOT play again.  What I would like to project is to any LVADer is keep your focus on your dreams, lost dreams and or trade-offs that life has set forth in your lives.

Keep on keeping on!  Or in my case 😄... "Keep On Goalkeeping On!"

Check out this video: Making Of A Bionic Goalie Part I (not me in the video... Yet... just the leg pad modification that enables me to slide easily without jolting my body) 

Some Thanks to: LVAD,HEARTMATE II,HEARTMATE,THORATEC,Larry W, ROLLERFLY,REY,Maria Mountain,Revolution Sport Conditioning,Hockey Training Pro,@GoalieTraining @RollerFlyGuy #OneDayBetter #LVAD 

And The Good Saga Continues... As the #BionicGoalie 😄👍

WHERE HAS TIME GONE? Over a year since I posted last!

WHERE HAS TIME GONE? Over a year since I posted last! Wowwww. Doesn't seem it! now I know why I have received messages and emails asking " Are you Dead? Is he dead? Are you ok? What happened to you?"    Then I respond back and I get... "But I thought you were dead! Your Not dead! :-) and it goes on and on...

NOPE, im not dead... If I am then this place where I have been for over a year must be heaven.  

I send out BIG HEARTFELT apologies to those who have followed my blog and were left hanging on how I was... I really didnt consider posting what I have been doing because my email is up on the top of this blog header and felt i would keep in touch with those who directly contacted me.

Quite frankly I needed a break... A true "SABbatical" (we will explain in another future post that my SABbatical entailed running away and  joining a flying circus in a community where all are judged by the WHO in them and not the WHAT!)  I spent myself to the point i needed to Enjoy the LVAD  That i was blessed with for myself and only myself... i almost literally (but not really LOL )have lived an LVAD-FREE life.

 As my blog's theme indicates... 
I poured my whole self into helping folks start LVAD support groups, promote Online Support groups... Advocate for and spoke of my firsthand experiences with LVAD LIFE.  I tried to bring humor to the daily forefront in accepting our NEW NORM with the LVAD... the wires and its gadgets. I visited LVAD patients in hospitals in several states... Spoke to potential LVAD recipients... Participated and was invited to many  Annual Meetings, Summits, symposiums, meet-ups... Interviews, many memorial services for those LVADers who fought the good fight til their last breath...  

I have even participated at COLUMBIA PRESBYTERIAN on a year long study on how slowing the RPMs of an LVAD affects The brain. This SCORR study mapped my brain and will or has helped other LVADers and Stroke victims...

We have reached LVADers and the Health sector on a domestic and international level.  I have met many good folks fighting the same good fight as I am. I poured my soul in helping all that came my way and at the same time i was helping myself in an effort to thank those that have given me a quality of life that is miraculous!  Just to mention a few... Dr Yofi Naka and Columbia Presbyterian LVAD team... THORATEC and my family... I can go on and on with thanks but for now I'd rather keep this post as a quick catch up. 

Lastly, because I can go on and on and on :-) I have also Stood up against bullies and Egos that tend to interfere with our special LVAD community that I call HOME...  So as you see, I selfishly deemed myself  accomplished  and took a well deserved long vacation from LVAD Advocacy. 

Finally on another LVADer's Life's progression... former VP Cheney has written a book on his Heart failure experience... I havent read it yet but hope he mentions his HeartMate II ! Here is his interview itinerary that I received through an email: 
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
As you may have heard, former Vice President Dick Cheney has written a new book about his 35-year battle with heart disease. Two chapters of the book are about Mr. Cheney’s experience with HeartMate II, which was implanted in 2010 and supported him until he received a heart transplant in 2012. The book is called “Heart: An American Medical Odyssey<http://www.amazon.com/Heart-American-Medical-Odyssey-ebook/dp/B00BSBR6Y8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382144257&sr=8-1&keywords=cheney+heart>,” and he wrote it with his daughter and his cardiologist.

Mr. Cheney plans to speak on a number of TV shows this week, starting with an interview on 60 Minutes with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. We encourage you to tune in, and to let your friends and families know about the broadcasts.

Some of the shows currently scheduled to feature Mr. Cheney this week are:

60 Minutes. CBS, Sunday, Oct 20 at 7:30 pm ET/PT (following NFL Football) - Preview<http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50157418n>
The Today Show. NBC, Monday, Oct 21. Check your local listings for time - Preview<http://www.today.com/books/dick-cheney-i-said-goodbye-family-heart-surgery-8C11409516>
The Dr. Oz Show. Wednesday, Oct 23. Check your local listings orDoctorOz.com<http://www.doctoroz.com/> for local station and time - Preview<http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/dick-cheney-exclusive>

AND THE GOOD GOOD SAGA CONTINUES ;-)... 

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...

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...

HEARTMATES TOO WITH THE HEARTMATE II / "LIVING THE NEW NORM HAPPILY!"

WHO HAS THE LVAD?

Look carefully, the ugly one in the grey hat has the LVAD :-)... Me! My driveline exits my body, yet for a moment, my wife gives me a break wearing my batteries and controller. My whole family plays a roll in living the NEW NORM with me ! My wife and family and my LVAD... Living the new norm happily :-)

AND THE GOOD SAGA CONTINUES...

Understanding The Thoratec HeartMate II LVAD: A VISUAL PERSPECTIVE

The inner works that keep "The Good Saga Continuing..."

AND THE GOOD SAGA CONTINUES...