Getting there 2nd time around. Hi Jean!

Hi all. I am almost 2 wks PO with 2nd PM since June. My first was removed due to infection. I'm recovering much slower this time - Likely from 3 surgeries within a week - removal, closure, new implant. My chest looks like Frankenstein....I had quite a lot of pain to deal with and it still hurts at both sites. It's still early though. Lots of healing still to do. Trying to keep it in perspective- like Donr said "you just got cut open!"

I just wanted to check in and say hello to you all. You kept me company during my 10 days in hospital.

Best wishes to all. Stay positive. Keep posting.
Minnesota

10 Comments

Hi Jennie!!

by JeanWilson - 2013-09-10 02:09:21


You've been through a lot and it isn't just the physical side to these things but also the mental and emotional side too. I had eight months of it until my extraction and it was very wearing, but Jennie we have the skill of our surgeons to thank now. I don't know how we get these infections, it's a mystery to me but there's a lot of it about although at the time you think "why me?"

Bad thoughts are all part and parcel of your emotional state. You went in for your first implant and then went through all this not long after, so you are obviously wary. But, stay positive, rest up and I'm sure you will be fine - just like me! Time is a great healer for so many things.

Just take it easy Jennie and I'm sure that little dog of yours will soon make you feel a whole lot better x

I'm dented too.

by Minnesota - 2013-09-10 02:09:43

Jean- Good to hear from you! I am glad all this is behind me. I have a long way to go to heal and regain energy and stamina. This round knocked me off my feet. I also have a dent on left side where the first pm was. The surgeon took the entire area. I was left with a large open wound which was closed by a plastic surgeon. Both sites are really painful yet. It has really been hard on me. Physically and mentally. Plus, I tend to run emotional as well so tears have been common his time around.

I am in fear of another infection. I have no clue how I ended up with one in the first place. How do you manage these kinds if bad thoughts? I was on IV antibiotics 2 weeks from date of removal. Nothing since then. Normally I wouldn't have a doctor appointment for follow up but this time my doctor said to see him in a month. The first appointment with pacemaker clinic is in 3 months.

I'm so glad to hear you are doing well. I will keep posting as I make my way back. Thanks my friend for your support! Take care!
Jennie

Welcome home

by Bostonstrong - 2013-09-10 02:09:57

So glad that is behind you and you can begin healing-again. You had an ordeal and a half, I hope things go more smoothly for you from now on. Have been thinking about you and am glad to hear you survived round two on the pacer implant.

So Happy

by coppertop - 2013-09-10 04:09:01

that you are back home safe and sound! take care rest and relax. try to watch some your favorite movies.
as far as being emotional, well that is completely understandable. you been been through it!
Now, just sit back and relax! Take care, Coppertop

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

by Minnesota - 2013-09-10 06:09:03

Thanks all of you for your support! I feel like you are all right here with me helping me move forward. I can't thank you enough.
Jennie

Good News !!

by donb - 2013-09-10 08:09:27

Hi Jennie, Glad your doing OK. Some time I'll have to post a chest view of my former Frankenstein sites. I've held off as I don't want to discourage any new comers about having ugly scars. Actually I was quite fortunate with having 5 implants in the 21 years & my last surgery having a belly wound along with my right chest gave me very little pain. Happy to hear you got my with 2 weeks of antibiotics. I had almost 7 weeks of IVs' & really had no side effects. Guess, Old age might account for that or maybe mind control, who knows?? Keep us posted as we all think about you !!
DonB

Wonderful news !

by Mojo - 2013-09-10 10:09:25

God Bless You. Take it easy and take time to let it heal. So glad you're home.
MJO

Pretty Frankenstein

by JeanWilson - 2013-09-10 11:09:40

Hi Jennie
I've been looking on here since your op. to see if you were O.K. and there now I see you are fine. Jennie, I'm so pleased it's all over for you and you're home.

I too was black from bruising right down to my elbows and very sore, but it's just time, and it's all over for you now...you've been through a lot. I have scars left and right and people look at me when I have a pretty top on and I just smile as I feel so great with my new implant now that I've had everything extracted from my left side. I also have a bit of a dent where my old pacemaker was, but it doesn't bother me, as the infection has gone and I'm sure time will sort it out. Are you on antibiotics still? I'm off to London next week for my six week check up.

So pleased you are well, take care x

Feeling better Minnesota

by Pcwhit - 2013-09-10 12:09:23

Hi Minnesota

Wishing you a great recovery. This site is so supportive and I read your post and wanted to offer you so much support and you are not alone.

Keep your head up and take care of yourself pamper yourself. I had to realize that it takes time but thank goodness we have this device that gives us time.

Ah, but it's nice to learn...

by donr - 2013-09-11 08:09:36

...that someone actually reads this stuff that we write!!!!

Yes, Jean, Jennie, Minnesota (or whatever you are called), you have just been cut open - apparently BIG time.

Let me address your comment about wondering where something came from or how you got an infection.

I had a FOOT operated on last Yr in July. It just did NOT heal well & in Sept it still had an open, oozing spot in the incision. NO hint of infection. In Nov, the surgeon opened up the oozing spot, went in & took out a screw he put in a bone, took out a tissue sample & had a culture done on it. Talk about surprise - I NOW had an infection w/ a bug named "Enterococcus." No last name given to this ugly little spud! He ships me off to an infectious disease guy Who sticks me on an antibiotic costing $100 a pop to be sure he kills it first try, since I have a PM & he does NOT want me to get that nasty organism growing on my implants.

In our discussion, I ask, quite innocently, "Enterococcus sounds like something that grows in ones' gut - how did I get that in my foot?". The infectious diseases guy confirmed my comment about its source. Turns out that it is now relatively common among Hosp infections - but I developed it too long after my hosp stay for that to be the source.

After a long discussion about its origins in MY foot, we came up w/ a weird, but most likely scenario for me getting it in a foot, months after my hosp stay. From contaminated water in the bottom of a shower floor I ripped up while wearing the open toed cast on my foot.

So, to suggest to you that there are all sorts of bizarre means to get an infection, is an understatement. You did not give us the name of the bug you had, so none of us can even conjecture about its source. Some of them are really bad actors & require heroic means of defeat. It will surely take you a long time to fully recover from this one, so hang in there! (Hanging in there - that's what I call "A bat act.")

Don

You know you're wired when...

Your license plate reads “Pacer4Life”.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.