Patient Stories

Jake Madigan
Heartmate XVE

"We are grateful to Dr. Mitchell, from Utah Regional Valley Hospital for his wise decision to transfer me to LDS Hospital, when the left ventricle of my heart completely failed. He recommended the doctors and nurses who specialized in the Left Ventricular Assisting Device, (LVAD), and heart transplants at LDS Hospital . . . I received awesome care and they saved my life with an LVAD (which is a mechanical heart), as a bridge, to a heart transplant."

"I have received the same astounding care with a heart transplant, and [with] my follow up care. We are also eternally grateful to an insightfully compassionate family who going through their loss, was able to comprehend the wonderful 'gift of life', acknowledged through their loved one's donations. I thank all the doctors, nurses, and donor family that gave me my life back."

Norm Corbridge
Heartmate XVE

"My LVAD has given me a lot of extra time. I am feeling good and I don't hurt. I am thankful for time with my family and every extra day I get"

Time with pump: 645 days...and counting

Mike DeWall
HeartMate II

"When the time came it was an easy decision for me. I am now doing everything I want to do. It's been great."

Carol DeWall (wife of Mick DeWall): "He's getting strong and is now back to work."

Cynthia Hill
HeartMate II

"I feel a lot better. Before I had it, I couldn't do anything. When I would eat, I got too tired to lift my fork up to my mouth. I had to catch my breath between bites. I couldn't drive, and I could barely talk on the phone. Ever since I got the LVAD, I'm no longer short of breath. I can get up and walk around. I walk on the treadmill twice a day for 15 minutes each time"

Ron Wodskow
HeartMate VE LVAD

"February 19, 2001 I suffered a sever heart attack. I spent 3 weeks in the intensive care unit in the Idaho Falls hospital, the Doctors didn't give me much hope to live. One of the Doctors there had heard about the L-Vad and suggested that we should go to Salt Lake as a last resort. We were air-flighted to Salt Lake City on a Tuesday and by the next Wednesday I had an L-Vad. Dr. Long and Karl were so positive about my future and the L-Vad. The thought of living on a machine and waiting for a heart transplant was pretty overwhelming, but it was sure better than the other choices. We were so grateful for their positive encouragement and concern for us.

"I had the pump for 7 months, and felt great. I received a heart transplant on October 14, 2001. That summer was a remarkable experience. We made many life long friends that were also on L-Vads and waiting for hearts. This program is certainly one of miracles. We are one of them. We are grateful for a second chance at life. I now have 18 grandchildren and 2 on the way. That is 11 since my heart attack. I hate to think what I would have missed. I have had six years that I wouldn't have had if it hadn't been for the good Lord, Dr. Long and the L-Vad."

Donal Roe
HeartMate VE LVAD

"Before transplant, I had no life to speak of. The pump (LVAD) was an absolute miracle for us. It bridged us during the long wait for a heart. The LVAD saved my life. I mowed grass, remodeled and rewired a house. You name it, I did it. I am able to have a great life. I talk to nursing schools and civic clubs about my experiences and mentor patients in Oklahoma that are candidates to have an LVAD."