Two for one

I went in for Atrial lead revision on 31.3.2011 because it was thought the Atrial lead had misplaced. The Dr had difficulty getting through the fibrous tissue which had built up around the PM and said that he might have damaged the Ventricle lead in doing so.  He replaced both.  However, I was amazed by the differences between my first implant, in a London Hospital, and the revision which took place in a local hospital.

In London I was:
1.My head was totally covered and I felt completely isolated.
2.Although I was told to cough a couple of times, communication was very limited.
3. I was told little of what was going on.
4. When, eventually, I was uncovered I thought I was surrounded by a troop of Samurai warriors. (ie the medics in their protection gear) I had had a dose of local anaesthetic.
At my local hospital I walked into the lab, was introduced to the team, including a gorgeous Canadian nurse ( and that was before the anaesthetic). The Doc kept up an ongoing conversation, explained what he was doing, and I could see everything, bar the wound, in the room including the screens showing my insides. It took away all pain and worry and I walked out of the lab back to the ward. Great.
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1 Comments

NHS pacemaker Dr's

by climber - 2011-04-05 10:04:21

I had my PM fitted only 5 months back in a local hospital. Not much info was given to me about the op, nor did I know of any questions to ask, as I've had no time to research my condition. The day of the op was much the same, no communication, just a case of let's get on with it. I could see what was going on, but not the PM going in etc. Not much was said to me by the Dr. I did feel it was a case of, let's get this done, and move onto the next. Op done in a Liverpool Hospital. I know a lot more now.

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My pacemaker is intact and working great.