Epicardial pacemaker surgery - patient perspective

My son Max (age 9) just had his 3rd pacemaker implanted 6 weeks ago. He wanted to make a video to tell other kids, in his own words, what it is like to go in for the surgery.

https://youtu.be/dGegZMDv-NQ

For other parents - Max is a typical 4th grader. He swims on a summer cabana team, plays baseball, loves science, video games and roller coasters, and has almost no restrictions (no tackle football or karate sparring). He was born at 33 weeks and had his first pacemaker implanted almost immediately (4 lbs), replacement at 23 months for a broken lead.

4 Comments

Hi Max!

by Grateful Heart - 2015-10-16 09:10:46


I know who you are....Darth Vader from the Super Bowl ad.

Nice job on the pacemaker video, I just watched it. You will be helping a lot of children (and adults) who need pacemakers or replacements.

I have not tried a flavored gas for surgery....I may have to ask for that next time. :-)

It's good to see you are doing so well Max.

Thanks Max's mom.

Grateful Heart

Wow

by Grateful Heart - 2015-10-16 10:10:07


I've seen other videos of Darth Vader Max....he looks just like him to me.

Well thanks different Max and Mom. Parents of young children come along here quite often with many questions and concerns.

Grateful Heart

This is great!

by JenSF - 2015-10-16 10:10:38

Wow! What an awesome video.

I only wish the internet had been around when I got my first pacemaker (at age 11). I think I would have felt a lot less lonely and scared if I could have seen a video like this.

Thanks for making and sharing it!

Jen

Wrong Max

by slarnerd - 2015-10-16 10:10:43

Ha! Thanks Grateful Heart - but this is a different Max. Max Page (little Darth Vader) is a friend of ours - he did also have his pacemaker replaced a week after my Max did. He's in Southern California and we are in Northern California - both blonde boys close in age. :)

I have a daughter with a pacemaker too - she is 10. She hopefully won't need a replacement for another 6-7 years.

Thank you JenSF - that is what Max said too!

You know you're wired when...

Your license plate reads “Pacer4Life”.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.