Since I last wrote life has been turned upside down. My father went into the hospital at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC on December 12th. He was diagnosed with Heart Failure and on December 20th had open heart surgery. He now has a LVAD, a Heartmate II of his own, just like me. I am absolutely dumbstruck that my own father has the exact same device. I am quite sure that we are in rarified air...........seriously, how many father son LVAD patients can there be? I flew out to see my dad on 12/21 and was there until 12/24. Very Deja vu to see a repeat of what I went through two years ago. In addition he had 3 valves repaired, the first time his surgeon ever had to do such a comprehensive repair. He was very very sick.
Dad is now 1A on the transplant list and likely will not go home until he is transplanted. His recovery has had some bumps as he recovers from the surgery, including some heart rhythm issues that required an ablation. He has always been a huge source of strength and inspiration for all of us and we expect nothing less from him now.
Very interesting to see other VAD patients and clinicians from another center. Some were quite shocked to see someone healthy. Hard to believe I am the only healthy LVAD patient, others I am sure are doing as well as or better than I.
My mom now has her husband and her son both at the top of the transplant list in two different locations. I cannot imagine how she keeps it all together, but she does somehow. It was great to see her and my sisters when I went home, but wish it was under dramatically different circumstances.
To pass the time in the hospital and bring some levity the attached picture shows how we amused ourselves. Think of this as the mood barometer, sort of a enter at your own risk.
