This LVAD and everything that goes along with it keeps you on your toes. Nothing like a early morning nosebleed that wakes you up and gets you running. Joe is on a blood thinner called Warfarin. He has to be on this medication because of the LVAD. It keeps his blood thin to prevent blood clots on the pump. Being on this medication is no walk in the park.
One of the side effects of the medication is NOSEBLEEDS. He hasn’t had too many, but it sure does get you up out of a sound sleep and makes your heart race. I’ve learned to keep extra hand towels, wash cloths, baby wipes, tissues, pillow cases and sheets in the room just incase. As soon as it starts to bleed we have to time it, if it lasts for more than 15 minutes we have to call his LVAD team and let them know. Any bleed could cause hemorrhaging and we want avoid that all costs.
Luckily it only lasted for 10 minutes this time. Now I’m up looking at my chart, checking his numbers and going through what he ate to see what could of caused it. Yes, I drive myself crazy trying to figure it out and he’s back in bed sleeping. I know it was probably just dry air but I’m proactive in his care and like I said before, I need to know. The life of an LVAD caregiver is never ending. Time for coffee, Good Morning.
Unconditional Love 
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