3 weeks since replacement surgery

Hi, It's been 3 weeks since I had pacemaker replacement surgery and I feel fantastic. I am lucky, I healed fast & am able to do almost anything. I'm still being cautious about lifting with my left hand. Pacemaker is 2 inches below collarbone on left side,since I'm right-handed. I'm a 64-year-old woman and this is my 3rd pacemaker. I wish everyone could heal as fast as I did. Have a new monitor for phone checks, very high tech, did a trial test when I received it via UPS, it's like something out of Star Trek. Never heard from my doctor so everything is fine. The itching is driving me a little batty, but I put aloe lotion around the incision. I'm getting my strength back fast, this was minor outpatient surgery. I'm still sleeping a bit more and eating, um, too well, ha ha. If anyone has questions, feel free to ask or just chat, this is my 5th heart-related surgery. Peace!

5 Comments

Good News!

by Casper - 2012-03-12 08:03:57

Dear Rapid Heart,

That’s sure is encouraging news to hear for us newbies.

You must have a healthy constitution. My doctor mentioned to me that I might have that option for phone checks too.

Not sure I want to venturee down that road, I’m still dealing with the fact I have this PM in me since 1/2012.

But it’s good news to hear about your success.

All the best,
Casper

Excellent News

by Pookie - 2012-03-12 10:03:08

I'm so happy for you. It's always encouraging to hear stories just like yours. Wow -- 5 heart-related surgeries, you could really help a lot of us through some of the many questions we have.

Take care,
Pookie

What PM is it?

by ironmanbrit - 2012-03-13 02:03:58

Hi rapidheart. Glad to hear about the recovery. I was curious about your PM, and you said that you can do phone checks. Can you give me more details? Do you mean you have a home monitor that that uses your phone line to send nightly status updates to your Dr?

Thanks!

exercise tolerance

by ldebaugh - 2012-03-13 10:03:26

Hi Rapid Heart,
Is your PM adjusted appropriately to your exercise needs? How much do you exercise, and are you out of breath when walking up stairs or hills?
Glad you are doing great!

Dancing

by RapidHeart - 2012-03-14 01:03:45

Hi, to idebaugh & anyone who's interested, I don't exercise strenuously, but I enjoy dancing at home to music. When I am completely healed I would like to try water aerobics. I usually don't get out of breath when I walk up stairs, my knee gives me trouble, not my heart. No hills where I live, it's all flat. It's not safe for an older woman who is alone to walk in my neighborhood, also the sidewalks are chopped up. I don't really have anyone to walk with, but when my daughter was little we used to take walks in the park. Since I'm on Warfarin for A-fib now, I am a bit afraid of falling. The funny thing is that when I make a rare trip to New York City I can walk for blocks. I used to live there, so I think that's kind of interesting, it's where my heart is, no pun intended. My pacemaker is not adjusted to my exercise needs. I have a dual-chamber Medtronic. The pacemaker was implanted because I have a rapid heart rate which is slowed down to a normal rate with medication. The medication can causse my heart rate to dip too low, so that's why I have a pacemaker. I have a very weird medical history! No coronary problems, but serious heart defects not repaired until I was an adult. Thanks for the good wishes, it's nice to be a part of the Pacemaker Club.

You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

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I am a competitive cyclist with a pacemaker!