Surgery Next Week

I am a 34 year old with Malignant Vasovagal Syncope and will be getting a pacemaker next Wednesday. The doctor told me I would be out of work for a week and unable to resume my running for about 2-3 months.

Just curious how the first few days and weeks go post surgery?? How long did it take people to get back to running?? (I was 40 days away from running my 1st Marathon when my condition changed enough that I need a PM).

I am also worried about how my children are going to handle everything!! Any info would be greatly appreciated!!

I am anxious to get back to my life..feeling crappy all the time just plain stinks!!

6 Comments

welcome

by Tracey_E - 2012-09-26 01:09:38

Glad you found us! Feeling crappy sure does stink!!! Hoping you're back to normal soon.

I took it easy for 6 weeks, but was out walking the day I got out of the hospital. I have a different problem, though, so ask your dr how soon it's ok to get some light exercise. We just need to be careful of the leads for 6 weeks, no raising arm above shoulder level or heavy lifting.

How old are your kids? When they're younger, keep it simple. I just told my kids that my heart has a problem, now I have a computer to fix it. I had a pm before kids, so mine were school aged before they figured out all mommies don't have computers to help their heart. Now that they're older, they understand how the heart beats and more specifically what's going on. The main thing is to be upbeat and optimistic. Kids understand more than we give them credit for and they follow our lead. If we are worried, they will pick up on it and worry.

Thanks

by erinc.pnp - 2012-09-26 01:09:40

Thank you so much for your response!

My boys are 6 & 8 and they both know that I have been having some health issues lately..in fact the last time I passed out I landed on top of my 6 year old. They have been more clingy over the last couple of weeks, so I think they know more than they are letting on...

Did you have to stay over night after your surgery??



Overnight

by Tracey_E - 2012-09-26 02:09:05

They usually keep us one night, check the pm in the morning and sometimes do a X-ray to make sure the leads are where they're supposed to be, then send us home.

I can see why they're clingy! How scary for them. Kids ALWAYS know more than they let on, lol. I think they're old enough to understand the basics. I'm guessing they'll feel better knowing more than less since they saw you pass out, and they might be curious just because they're 6 and 8 yr old boys. St judes website has some really good animations that demonstrate the more common problems and how the pm fixes it. if you ask your dr, he might have one he can show them. Tell them it's a super high tech computer that will always be watching your heart, ready to help if you are going to pass out again.

Also remember kids are resilient! They get scared, you reassure them, odds are pretty good they'll get over it and move on as soon as they see you back to normal.

Running

by CK108 - 2012-09-26 02:09:50

Hi. I had my PM surgery about 6 almost 7 weeks ago. I'm a runner and was running all the way up to implant date. Grant it I was really slow and had no energy but I was stubborn. After surgery (I did stay overnight one night) I was up and walking in a couple of days. After my post-op appointment at 3 weeks they told me to take it for a test drive. So I did! At 5 weeks I ran a 5k and now training for a 10 miler.

I am very lucky and it is only my experience but it went really well for me. Others may have a different experience. I still have incision site pain and I know there will be some tweaks to my settings but overall I have to admit I am better.

I am still getting used to it and that may take awhile but my energy while running is back and stairs are much easier! I was out playing tag with my 10, 7 and 5 years old nephews and niece this weekend. I also showed them what a pacemaker (it came in a kit from Medtronics) looked like so it wasn't so weird for them.

I was very sad, scared and frankly mad that I had to have a pacemaker. I didn't understand but I had to trust the doctors and I was reassured here that it was not an ending but really a new beginning.

I hope all all goes well for you on Wednesday! I know it is an anxious time for you and your family. Let me know if you have any more thoughts or questions.

Best wishes!
Carlyn

anger

by kiwigirl - 2012-09-26 08:09:22

Hi,
I had my pm op 27 years ago, & back in those days they expected you to stay in hospital for a week, then have 8 week off work.

completely different now though!

whilst I was cooped up in hospital I had a lot of time to think about things. I felt the same as carlyn, angry, sad, mad that it was me & not one of my five brothers.

when I was discharged I asked them when I could continue walking and they told me I shouldn't do that for at least 3 weeks, but I ignored them & went out about 4 days after I got out. I have not looked back since then

Kids & maladies

by donr - 2012-09-27 07:09:29

Erin: Once upon a time, back before you were born, I came down w/ something unrecognized & totally not understood. I had it for some 7 years before anyone recognized the symptoms & matched me to the just characterized PTSD that is a common household word today, understood & essentially treatable.

Our HS age kids Knew something was wront w/ Dad, as did out then 5 yr old. We told all of them the same thing - the truth - in terms they could/would understand. At first, the truth was that we had no idea what was wrong w/me at all - & discussed all the symptoms w/ them. Also kept them updated as the situation changed.

5 yr old was a different coloredhorse- we had to simplify it for him & as time went on, we explained more. We felt that it was better that they ALL know what was going on & understand why I could not sometimes be availabe to do things with/for them.

The young one required special treatment & that consisted of me sitting down every Fri night & watching "Logan's Run " on TV. That plus a movie or two.

Then, in 1984 when I was finay diagnosed, we were able to tell them exactly what was happening & it came as no surprise & they could fit it all into a coherent picture.

This approach meant that we never had to worry about keeping lies sorted out. The truth only hurts once - lies constantly bite you in that section of the body that you sit upon.

Tracey is right - they know more than you realize.

Don

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