My LVAD leash
Part of my new normal of being powered by electricity involves battery packs during the day to be portable, but each night, I eventually switch over to wall power which involves a 30 foot cord. This cord allows me some freedom at night (about 30 feet of it). The wall unit is in our bedroom, and the cord allows me to go into the bathroom or over to the closets to grab clothes when I need to. It stops short of letting me into the hall or into our children’s room.
Although it is much-needed and wonderful technology, this aspect of the LVAD leash has brought some frustrations as well. I can’t rush to the children’s room if anyone cries out at night, I can’t search the house if I hear a suspicious noise, and I can’t raid the fridge for a midnight snack! 
I need to come to terms with it.
I need to make sure I have everything I need at hand before switching off of battery power and onto the wall. It is taking some adjustment just like everything else in this LVAD life, but I am sure I can make it through. I may grouse and grumble a bit, but it truly isn’t such a bad price to pay for all of the wonderful aspects of the LVAD that have made my life so much better now than before the implant when I was so sick and was just trying to muddle through.
It is another physical representation that I am NOT the One in control of my life, and I thank the One that is in control for each and every day!
How are you doing with your LVAD leash?
It is hard to be tethered. Right now I am in an apartment and can go pretty much anywhere. But in 2 weeks I will moving back home and it will be very different. I have seen many Thoratec products on eBay and am thinking of buying one to have an extra – one upstairs and one for downstairs. But can one be sure it would be okay… I would rather get one from someone I knew who didn’t need it any longer.
The day seemed so final after switching from battery’s to the “tether”. Usually I remembered my water, phone or meds were still down stairs afterwards. Even if I hadn’t, I felt restricted on double checking doors, windows etc. Glad I lived to share this, my HM II supported me to transplant on 07-23-2010.
Praying for your cordless day to come, afterwards you will look back with fond memories of extended life!
Good story, maybe they need to think about wireless….