Your Heart Beats for Him

<p>If you’re the spouse caregiver or loved one of someone who needs a heart transplant what should you expect?</p><p>Pamela Washnock fills a void in the existing literature by sharing her inspirational story of taking care of her husband Bob who was diagnosed with abnormal heart rhythms in 2000.</p><p>If Bob’s heart were to beat too fast he could pass out and never wake up. Fortunately an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator works well for many years detecting abnormal rhythms and giving his heart a shock when needed.</p><p>But in 2011 Pamela learns Bob will need a new heart. At first no suitable match can be found. Doctors insert a left ventricular assist device into his chest or LVAD which is a mechanical pump that helps a weakened heart pump blood.</p><p>When Bob finally gets a new heart life remains hard—and in some ways—gets even worse. He must take a variety of medications all of which affect him in different ways.</p><p>See the journey of a heart transplant patient through a caregiver’s eyes and find out what obstacles you may need to overcome if your loved one has a heart problem.</p>