Fourth Time Around

• by Nornor
• 2012-12-21 01:12:55
• Surgery & Recovery
• 1217 views
• 1 comments

Hello to my fellow pacers and defibbers. I have not posted for quite some time so, following the recent change-over of my generator, I thought it was an appropriate opportunity to tell you of my procedure this week. I received my fourth generator, including my second CRT-D, since my initial implantation in 2001 and, as in the past, all went very well. I am, as expected, still a little sore, but I am very happy to have another unit with a full voltage supply! I must admit to some apprehension whilst waiting for the surgery date, with the previous unit in its end-of-life stage. I am fortunate, however, as I have had full confidence and respect in my EP’s management of my heart condition over the past twelve years.

I had an overnight stay in hospital, as the defibrillator part of the CRT unit required testing to ensure that it ‘fires’ or activates at its required settings. It was good to be under a general anaesthetic and be somewhere in la-la land, rather than having to experience that awful big-bang yet again. My heart failure symptoms have been reduced significantly since my upgrade to a CRT-D in 2008 and, with my ejection fraction at 50 since then, compared to 26 prior to the change, I can offer very positive encouragement to any members who have had a CRT device recommended to them to manage their hearty failure condition.

I would like to wish all my Pacemaker Club friends and their families a wonderful Christmas, coupled with those loving family times, and a safe and happy new year.

Neville

Mildura, Australia