I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING

I have not felt just right since coming home from my pacemaker upgrade. I finally got fed up with early this morning, and thought I'd get it checked out before going to the Tampa Event. The ER called Medtronic, and we arranged a meeting at my cardiologist's office later in the day since it was 2AM.
I went home.
I show up at my cardiologist's office to meet the Medtronic pacer rep and the receptionist hands me an order for a Chest X-ray.
I go for my chest x-ray. The order stated STAT and call report immediately to my cardiologist.
So.....I'm sitting there finally getting my pacer interrogated when the Medtronic lady states that there is NO CAPTURE coming from my atrial lead. Simultaneously, my cardiologist calls wanting to speak to the Medtronic Rep to tell her that my Atrial Lead was displaced.
I WON'T BE GOING TO TAMPA, instead I leave in a few hours to Atlanta (a four hour drive) back into the hospital to do this ALL OVER AGAIN.
Turns out these "funky, not right feelings" I've been feeling since last Friday have been my atrial lead bumping up next to my tricuspid valve. I knew I've never had a problem with such horrible PVC's as I've had this week. Jeez, who knew.
So I'm glad that maybe after all of this I'll feel better, but sadly won't be making it to Tampa.
This just breaks my heart........

I'll be thinking of ya'll, and sitting on the sidelines as I join the many others who weren't able to make it.

Funny, while all of ya'll will be standing around the pool sipping cocktails I'll be in the hospital. What a odd happening of events.

Maybe I'll take an extra pain pill just for ya'll, or better yet maybe just MAYBE I'll tell them to knock me out for my surgery. Not really up to hearing Dr. Andy's IPod music anyways.....

So sorry I'll miss the opportunity to meet ya'll. I was SO looking forward to it.

ANGELIE

7 Comments

prayers are with you

by aldeer - 2009-09-24 02:09:38

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Angelie..... best of luck and be back soon.... aldeer

angelie

by jessie - 2009-09-24 06:09:32

boy what a disappointment for you. i am glad tho they found the trouble and are fixing it. maybe me and patch can keep you cheered up whilst you go thru this. seriously my thoughts are with you babe. the pacer chicks will rule. make no mistake love,jessie

Take care of yourself

by admin - 2009-09-24 08:09:50

You need to take care of yourself. We will miss you. There is no need to take an extra pain killer as we will have a special toast in your honor.

Blake

Oh Angelie

by Pookie - 2009-09-24 09:09:45

I am SO SO SO sorry to hear what has happened.

You must have my luck.....the exact same thing happened to me when I first had my pacer implanted, I had booked a trip to Minnesota (I live in Canada) to see my twin sister about 3 weeks after the "initial" surgery and ended up in the Critical Care Unit for 10 days after 4 surgeries!!!!!! At one point in time I died twice and my parents were told by the doctors to "call in the family" as they didn't think I'd make it, but I fooled them: I'm still here!! My twin was flown home and I was grateful for that, but it was no where near being a "vacation" with one another.

It also happened 3 other times in the past 5 yrs that I've booked a trip to Minnesota only having to cancel because of my health...it sucks, it sucks big time, but in the end YOU and your health come first.

I can certainly understand and appreciate your frustration at the way things ended up for you, but I'd rather see you safe.

It is a disappointment, for sure, but when one door closes they say another one opens. I never ever believed this before, but I do now.

When I win the lotto and have millions of dollars....I'll personally fly all the "pacerchicks" to some sunny destination for a one week, all inclusive resort, okay?

I wish you all the best

Pookie

There's hope

by ElectricFrank - 2009-09-24 10:09:21

Angie,
While having this happen is uncomfortable and messes up your trip to Tampa, there is a good side to it all. At least they diagnosed the problem promptly and it is fixable. There is an excellent chance that you will quickly get back to feeling better.

best of luck with it,

frank

Good Wishes

by Irishone - 2009-09-25 02:09:19

Angie,
I am so sorry that you are missing your trip and going through this. I have had the dame thing happen with my lead just 2 weeks after the first pacemaker implant so I know how upsetting it is to have to start all over. Unfortunately, this is something that we can't control and we have to leave it to the surgeons to fix. Feel better real soon!
Irish

Newbees

by countryriders2 - 2009-09-25 07:09:17

My heart goes out to you, first for missing the trip, and second for all the medical stuff your going through. I hope you do realize that you had to stay here to keep us Newbees in line. Thank you for blogging what is happening to you. We not only learn about our own pacers, but we learn to love and respect you
diane

You know you're wired when...

Your device acts like a police scanner.

Member Quotes

I, too, am feeling tons better since my implant.