What's your perspective?

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I recently read the article "Living with a Total Artificial Heart: Patients' Perspectives" by Laura Savage MSN, RN et al. She interviewed 10 total artificial heart patients who were in the hospital while waiting for a transplant. So what did she find out?

Patients were looking for hope for the future. Other common sub-themes included :

• Reflections - on severity of illness, progress, and expressed optimism
• For Better or For Worse - how symptoms improved but were offset by restrictions imposed by the technology
• The Secret Club - support provided to help deal with their life situation
• Coping and Adaptation - coming to terms with and accepting their circumstances

Have you experienced those feelings on your journey to transplant? How have you coped with waiting?

Please share so that others may have some insight on your experience and learn from it.

Savage LS, Salyer J, Flattery MP, Alburger L, Joyce K, Mann B, Ravindar M, Gonzalez M. (2012). Living with a total artificial heart: Patients' perspectives. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

E-published ahead of print November 14, 2012.