18 months post implant - clinic up date......Where has the time gone. I had clinic yesterday and I didn't even realize that it had been 18 months since my Heartmate II LVAD was implanted. It seems like it was yesterday and yet so long ago. There are times where I am startled by reminders of my stay in the hospital. Grey's Anatomy just started a new season and something new is the personal phones all the characters have. They make a chirp instead of a ring. I know this because all the clinicians at Abbot have the exact same thing. I felt like Pavlov's dog hearing the chirp and looking for a nurse.
Clinic was unremarkable and eye opening at the same time. I feel great and my blood work was all very good. However my echo came back with an EF of 15. I have to admit that this is surprising given that my workouts have continued to improve steadily. My chamber volume is back to 5.9, down from the 8.5 cm when I was first sick. The doctor astutely pointed out that the echo serves as a reminder that while I am doing very well on the surface, but behind the scenes my heart is "profoundly" compromised and will never get better. He said it is a good reminder for everyone how fortunate I have been. I left clinic reflecting on our conversation and how truly lucky I am to have tolerated this therapy so well. It was pointed out that every day I am not transplanted is a day closer to a cure, a day without immunosupression drugs, and another day that the clock doesn't start ticking down. I have so much to be thankful for and it surprises me how at ease I really am with where things are at in my life right now.
I ran at the gym tonight. I just needed a break from the elliptical. Someone can only do the same exercise for so many straight workouts. I have been on the elliptical since June of 2011, I needed a change:-)
How about them Yankee's
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