John's heart health update

We are going to be using this blog as a way to get health information out as we have done in the past.  We saw the Cardiologist, Dr. Masri, Friday to hear the results of the several tests that John has taken at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) in the last several weeks. 

Dr. Masri did not like the results of some test results from November 2014 and had John retake them.  The tests were an Echocardiogram, a Cardiopulminary Exercise Test (CPET) and a Right Heart Cauterization (RHC).  The tests all showed a decline in heart function and a need for closer monitoring.  John's problem has always been an enlarged left ventricle. Now the right ventricle is enlarged and there is a valve that was ok last year and is now leaking.  There are indicators that a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) will be necessary soon.  We are scheduled for an interview with Dr. Masri's Physician Assistant (PA) in one month.  If the decline continues, we will be referred to the head transplant surgeon.  We also will be seeing an LVAD nurse for what is being called LVAD 101, an educational class to learn more about care of the device and its limitations.  What it will do, how it is installed.  It requires an open chest to install and a three month recovery period.  It must be kept clean to avoid infection.  It cannot be wet.  (No fishing from boats, we asked!)  No driving for several months. 

Dr. Masri indicated that most LVAD patients are transplanted between six months and one year after the LVAD is implanted.  Then there will be a year of extreme caution.  John will need to stay within roughly three hours of the UWMC until the transplant.  No more cruises.

We will update this as events occur.  It is difficult and tiring to explain things repeatedly.  We will try to be clear and comprehensive with our blog entries. 

Colleen and John