Getting out

Sometimes the easiest thing to do is to stay tucked into our cave and just let the days go by, However I truly think that Larry was given this opportunity to get out again...... possibly it is my desire and not his, but whatever the cause, we are traveling again. We discussed this and with Nurse Tori as our text companion we decuded to go..... where? Well why not back to the beginning, Tampa Florida.... after all my son and daughter in law are both MD’s there, we have been in the Medical system there, they have a LVAD hospital, we still have our FMCA coverage, and there are 3 grands that I need to see.... Cut back on the amount of hours we travel each day, altered routes so we are closer to major medical systems, and stopping to and back to visit with dear friends...... should arrive today for a month stay.... even returning will be anticipation that the other 2 grands will be able to come spend time, since school will be out for summer... I am not brave, just take things one day at a time... the only way I know how to deal... making grandiose plans for the future are fun, a trait my oldest son also does, but whther the happen or not, so be it, the plans are a learning tool too..... last tear we talked about buying a home in old Florida, once before we discussed moving to Ecuador... i like where we live, Most important is my best friend in life, Larry, is still by my side......

Larry officially got his drivers license renewed today. He also got a new shirt in from LVADgear.com, wore it today and seemed to be more comfortable To him than even the vest is....

Ruzich LVAD vest

Larry received his new Ruzich LVAD vest on Friday. Wore it yesterday for the first time. Right now it seems like this will be the best option of anything he has yet tried. Wore it all day with no extra strain on his back... he was also able to just get up and go without having to grab his bag.... has tried other vests, but they were not as well thought out as this vest was.... I am so grateful for the Ruzich’s for creating this vest and then creating for others... the link is on my list to the left.... Ordering another right now.

No power....

This morning, at 5am, we were awakened by a loud screaming alarm.... power outage..Larrys controller was telling us it needed power.... By the time we jumped up to start the cord to battery change over, the Generac generator kicked in... Within 2 minutes our power was back on..... there was no storm, no winds, but this morning we realized that our decision to spend that money was a good decision... Met 2 new VADers today on Facebook... I have always thought that information is powerful.... I like FACEBOOK, it empowers me to meet others..... prayers to my new friends...

Vad vest

Like every other LVAD patient, Larry has tried many different ways to carry his equipment.  It is the equivalent if carrying a heavy purse ALL of the time, when he is on battery and not connected via his direct power line.

At the LVAD Support group here a few weeks ago, aman had some of these that he really liked, so Larry has ordered on to see if maybe that will help him.  His back hurts constantly....

Here is the link to their website.

Ruzich Vad Vest

https://vadvest.com

Microsafe Capilary Tubes

When we find new products, I try to add them to my link here.   Some of them are great for other health issues.

Microsafe Capilary Tubes are very small suction devices...

Microsafe Capilary Tube video

when Larry tests his blood sugar only a drop if blood is needed, but when he tests his INR for blood thinner, more is needed, and to get an accurate reading requires some careful maneuvering, because the devuce has to be level on a table..... we automatically receive 6 a month, and he tests once a week, so little room for mess up.....  these cute little things allow him to draw enough blood to place the correct amount on both meters with one stick........

He first bought them on Amazon, but then bought them on Ebay cheaper.  There are a couple of different brands....

Good read

This was on facebook this morning.  An excerpt from a new book by Daniela Lamas, MD.
Posted by the New York Times....

A very insightful read.......



The Man with the Battery Powered Heart

Today was the first time we have gotten to attend one of the LVAD support group meetings.

 Twice before we missed because Larry was back in hospital.....  most of the people who attended had gotten their LVAD within the past 2 years, so it was very interesting to hear them talk about issues we  are haing as well......  the most common problem seems to be back aches from carrying the batteries.. some had vests, some had bags and belts....  2 of the 14 there were women... It seems to be more men that get LVADS.  

But it was very informative, and Larry also learned about a new glucose minotoring device FreeStyle Libre,  going to try to get one.

FreeStyle Libre cgm link

Many were on the LVAD friends group on Facebook as well.... If you are new to this blog and are trying to find a specific post, you can use the search. If you are looking for one of the tips I mentioned today, they are in the topics on the left panel. Prayers for each of you...

Wild and bumpy year....
March 7, 2017 for LVAD

5 months

really...  it has been 5 months since Larry had teeth....   he has been such a trooper through all of this past year... He used to say he was a wimp with pain, but he isn’t any longer... I have been amazed....

He had good strong teeth, very few problems, but at a dental checkup in August, they discovered he had gum disease....  for a person with heart disease, this is a huge danger....  that bacteria can cause a heart patient to be on antibiotics for the rest of their lives...

So he and the oral surgeon decided to do it all.....   under anesthesia of course... what was to be a one night stay turned into 9 nights because his kidnies went into shock.....  but that is done.

Today he got his new teeth.....   no steak tonight, has to get used to eating and talking, but to the future......

The process in photos.....