Meeting With THORATEC In The Flesh,Blood And Titanium (and Richard Gere too)

THORATEC (THOR) the maker of the HEARTMATE ll LVAD had sent word to me that they have seen my blog and complimented it. THOR has always been professionally approachable with any question, concern or idea that I had. Then my wife and I received a message that THORATEC wanted to meet with me - flesh, blood and titanium. We were quite honored and a time and place was set. A small and quaint Manhattan Italian restaurant.

We met at dinner and the THOR representative (he plays a visionary role within the ranks of THOR) truly took his time to listen to an LVAD recipient and shared some innovative info that continues to show that THORATEC IS A CARING COMPANY that constantly pushes the envelope on LVAD technology and LVAD recipient comfort. The dinner lasted 4 hours.


At the restaurant where the dinner-meeting was set, were Richard Gere, the actor, and his wife Carrie Lowell, eating dinner. When it was time for us to leave, the THORATEC representative went to get his coat and accidentally tried to give Gere's wife his coat-claim ticket and a tip. She rejected his gesture and walked back to her table and husband. Apparently she was returning from the restroom that was near to the coat-check closet. It was too funny! An honest mistake.

Then we walked the THOR rep to his hotel...almost a mile away. We said our goodbyes and my wife and I (powered by the Heartmate ll) walked back to our truck which was parked by the restaurant. We had an outstanding and memorable evening and a brief encounter with Richard Gere and his wife.

We know we are in good hands with a company like THORATEC.

And the good saga continues...

My HEARTMATE ll: The Creed of an LVAD Recipient

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Dedicated to the entire SURGICAL & LVAD TEAM and nurses at NYP.

Especially for Margaret, Rosie, Jennifer, Khristine, Donna,

Dr Bijou, Dr Naka & Dr Takayama

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My Rifle: The Creed of a US Marine
by Major General William H. Rupertus USMC, Ret.
(written following the attack on Pearl Harbor)

has been adapted for the respect of a

HEARTMATE ll LVAD and the Recipient.

My HEARTMATE ll: The Creed of an LVAD Recipient

This is my HEARTMATE ll. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My HEARTMATE ll is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

My HEARTMATE ll, without me, is useless. Without my HEARTMATE ll , I am useless. I must use my HEARTMATE ll honest & true. I must remain more diligent in diet and form than my enemies that attack my health and heart. I must act before it acts upon me. I will...

My HEARTMATE ll and myself know that what counts in this war is not only the blood that pumps and flows, the progress or setbacks, We know it is also for the general good of future generations that count. We will...

My HEARTMATE ll is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its purpose and its flow. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage. I will keep my HEARTMATE ll clean from bacteria and have the spare equal and ready. We will become part of each other. We will...

Before God, I swear this creed. My HEARTMATE ll and myself are the defenders of my well-being. We are the masters of our enemies. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until victory is achieved and there is no enemy, but peace and a healthier life!

and the good saga continues...