A Bionic Heart

Pixabay Public Domain Image
@akalinus (44366)
United States
August 2, 2016 2:33pm CST
My husband had a really bad heart. A few months before his death, he received a bionic heart. It was supposed to function instead of a natural heart until he could get a heart transplant. It was amazing, like something out of science fiction. Of course, he did not live long enough for a transplant. Have you ever known anyone with a bionic heart? I would love to hear your story. Do you know anyone with any other bionic body part? Medical progress is so interesting today. I wonder what the future will bring for increasing the length and quality of life.
6 people like this
5 responses
Jabo
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
2 Aug 16
I'm so sorry that your husband didn't live long enough to get a transplant. I remember the first heart transplant taking place, I think it was in the 1960s.
2 people like this
Jabo
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
2 Aug 16
@akalinus I can't remember, but I think the surgeon that did the first one was a South African called Dr. Christian Barnard.
1 person likes this
Jo Ann
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
2 Aug 16
@jaboUK That could be!
1 person likes this
Jo Ann
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
2 Aug 16
He was in really bad shape. It is a miracle that he lasted as long as he did. I remember reading about the first artificial heart. It was in Africa, I believe. The guy did not live long. I don't remember the first transplant, but wasn't it from an animal? A sheep or something?
2 people like this
Loretta
@noni1959 (13035)
• United States
3 Aug 16
I'm on my third pacemaker. I'm not sure if that counts. I remember Baby Fae getting the baboon heart in 1983 or 84 and she lives a bit over two weeks before her kidneys shut down.
2 people like this
Jo Ann
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
3 Aug 16
Okay, now that you mention it, I do remember the baboon heart. My husband had a pacemaker before the bionic heart.
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Loretta
@noni1959 (13035)
• United States
3 Aug 16
@akalinus I'm sorry he passed away. I remember the baboon heart since it was discussed so much in my family. I'm not sure about if they did the sheep but it's more like a humans. The first transplant was in 1967 in Africa. I remember this since it was on a test in a college class.
1 person likes this
koopharper
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
2 Aug 16
No bionic parts on me. One of my co-workers though has two knee replacement. He had both of his legs run over.
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koopharper
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
2 Aug 16
@akalinus He is limited in his mobility but he is tough as nails.
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Jo Ann
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
2 Aug 16
@koopharper He sounds like a fighter and a survivor.
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Jo Ann
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
2 Aug 16
Ouch, be glad it was not you. That is horrible. I hope he is okay.
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Marlina
@marlina (154103)
• Canada
11 Aug 16
Very sorry to read about your husband passing. Do not know anyone with a bionic heart, but I do have a mechanical valve.
Jo Ann
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
11 Aug 16
Well, that's a start. I hope it is working well for you.
The Horse
@TheHorse (238284)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 Aug 16
I have a partially bionic knee (from ACL surgery) , but I had only read about bionic hearts. How are you doing, by the way?
1 person likes this
Jo Ann
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
2 Aug 16
We are still going through various hassles. The insurance company is investigating what they say are irregularities and trying not to pay much out. It is on the small side anyway. Otherwise, taking it day by day. There are so many places to notify that it is scary. How is that knee working for you? Can you run super fast?
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238284)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Aug 16
@akalinus My knee is actually stronger than the other one now. I'm glad you're going OK. Losing a spouse is about as bad as it gets.
1 person likes this
Jo Ann
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
3 Aug 16
@TheHorse Thanks. Glad your knee is better.
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