The Bionic Bride is on the "TODAY" Show... December 1 2010

The Bionic Bride, Ally Smith, a HeartMate II recipient will be on The Today Show tomorrow morning doing a follow-up piece from her segment this past May, where she had discussed what it was like to prepare for her wedding with the Heartmate II

It is anticipated that Ally will be on during the second hour of the show (8:00 - 9:00am EST). It will be very interesting to see Ally and her Heartmate II on national TV:-)

http://www.today.msnbc.msn.com/

Here is Ally's Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bionic-Bride/119390961436414


And The Good Saga Continues...

Is Your Cardiologist And Or LVAD Team Suggesting Flu Shot?

Last week... 1st time in my life, I got the Flu shot.

And the Good Saga Continues...

Care-Givers are true Warriors :-)

LVAD Care-Givers/Spouses are the true Warriors of LOVE:-)

And The Good Saga Continues...

The General's General, The One You Want Leading The Good Fight For Your Cause.

Margaret Flannery was the first from "LVAD Nation" to meet with me and my wife. With patience Margaret explained in depth about the LVAD implant, the peripheral procedures and testings involved in order to become eligible.

Her confidence, professionalism and approachable demeanor made my decision to trust Columbia Presbyterian Hospital to perform the open heart surgery/LVAD implant very easy. A short time later Margaret made my decision even easier by bringing in Dr Naka, the surgeon who would perform the surgery. Both Dr Naka and Margaret showed me a replica of the HeartMate II LVAD. I was able to hold it and realized that this device would bring back most of the stamina that I had lost. I felt that the 2 of them were the Best of the Best Columbia had to offer.

10 months later, LVAD in place, from the bottom of my LVAD I am thankful that folks like Margaret and Dr Naka are affiliated with Columbia Presbyterian hospital.

And the good saga continues...

Columbia Presbyterian Hospital VAD SUPPORT GROUP September 28 2010

Today's LVAD Lunch & Learn series proved to be very productive. 1st on the agenda was Thoratec Product Update presented by Teri Gardner, RN Clinical Consultant from Thoratec. The update showed the future generations of the LVAD and LVAS. Smaller, more user friendly and wireless... yes, NO wires! However, the wireless is still in the distant future but on the radar screen of Thoratec. Bravo.

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Dr Yoshifumi Naka, my Surgeon, and the Director of the Cardiac Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program, stopped in and greeted everyone between the 1st and 2nd items on the agenda. Dr Naka was greeted by a round of applause and more applause from the audience as he left. After all, Dr. Naka had his skilled and gifted hands "touch" all of our hearts in more ways than one.

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2nd on the agenda was Traveling with the LVAD, presented by Khristine Orlanes, ACNP. Informative topics included "Must Haves at All Times", "Air Travel specifics" and "Land Travel". During this session, discussions led to the proper handling of our LVAS as well as offering information to the airline and TSA for security reasons.

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3rd on the agenda was "Preventing and Managing Infections", presented by Dr Nir Uriel Proffesor Clinical Medicine, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Columbia University. This topic was engaging as it addressed infections at the driveline Exit-Site. All in attendance were told and showed what to look for and how to avoid an infection. Well over 40% of deaths related to the LVAD is due to infection.

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Lastly, there was a spread of good healthy food, buffet style, where all the LVAD recipients, care-givers and other interested parties mingled and shared their war stories :-) at the newly built River Terrace, Milstein Family Heart Center, Columbia Presbyterian Hospital NYC.

And the good saga continues...