surgery

im 22 just told on monday i need a pacemaker because im still in bradiacardia junctional rhythm...my surgery is on the 26th...im so nervous can anyone tell me what its like living with a surescan revo pacemaker? and how long recovery is going to be i have a 2 year old son who relies on me?

4 Comments

healing

by Tracey_E - 2013-03-07 02:03:42

So sorry you need a pacemaker! You've found the right place.

What's it like living with a pm? Well, for me it means not being dizzy, having lots of energy, not passing out. I got my first one before they had the surescans so for me the biggest downside is I can't have an mri, not going to be an issue for you.

Day to day life, it really doesn't have an effect, most of the time I forget it's there. I run a business, am raising two teenagers (both born after I got the pm), work out hard every day (Crossfit), am a girl scout leader and heavily involved in church and my kids' school, hike or ski most vacations. Every 3 months I get it checked, which takes less than 5 minutes. Replacements aren't a big deal, I've had 4 now. The rest of the time, I get on with my life and look just like any other mom.

We need to avoid big magnets, no arc welding or working at a junkyard that has those huge magnets to pick up dead cars. So far I've managed to control the disappointment (looking for that sarcasm font!). If I ever get to Hoover Dam, I'll skip the tour that goes near the generators. Sometimes I make the store security thingies beep but not too often. I takes me a few minutes longer to get through the airport because we can't go through the metal detectors. Sports where we're likely to take a hard direct hit to the pm are a bad idea- tackle football, competitive karate. It won't hurt the pm but will bruise us, but they make shirts if that's your thing.

As for healing, you will likely be a bit sore and tired for a week or so, sore but functional. We all heal at different rates but most of us feel mostly back to normal, just moving a little slower than usual and possibly tired, by the end of the first week. It goes uphill from there, by 4-6 weeks most of us are 100%

Ask 10 drs and get 10 sets of instructions but on average they say we are not to raise the left arm (assuming they place it on the left) higher than shoulder level for 6 weeks, and no heavy lifting. Can someone help you with your son for the first few days? You could probably do it yourself if you had to, but it would be a lot easier with help. What I did when mine were little and I got a new battery- sat on the floor to change diapers and play with them, so I wasn't lifting carried them on the right hip, just used my left arm for balance. The hardest thing was not getting hit by a baby that doesn't understand mommy is sore. Like the sports, it's not dangerous but it sure does hurt when a little fist smacks it.

My advice to all women- take a button down top to the hospital, you won't want to contort to pull a shirt over your head or put on a bra when it's time to come home. I wore the tanks with a built in shelf bra the first couple of weeks layered with a blouse.

If you have more questions, please ask away!

Hey..You !

by Tattoo Man - 2013-03-07 05:03:20


............at 22..it could feel like all has fallen apart..

Fact is..the Medical Profession has caught you just at the right time...probably still your feelings are a bit all over the place

Isnt it so hard to let go and let the medics rule your life ?

One moment you are your own person..and the next..someone is lifting your feet onto the wheelchair

.......................................................

This is when you are into The System

And ,if all you ever need in life ...is Life...then this is a good place to be

Welcome to PM Club..quite maybe the best community that exists in cyber space that you will ever come across

Tattoo Man

I have a Revo

by Rommom - 2013-03-07 06:03:30

Welcome to this great club were you will find lots of support. I had my Revo sure scan pacemaker put in a year ago. There is a great website by Mentronic that I would recommend. It is www.jointhepacemakers.com. If you click on the tab that says patient stories and the click on more patient stories, my story is the first one there. You can learn a lot about the Revo at this site.

Because you are so young, down the road you may Need an MRI and the Revo allows you to do this.
As far as recovery with any pacemaker, you need to be careful and not raise our left arm over your head for four weeks till the wires get scarred in. You will sore for the first week or so and need to make sure you don't get the incision wet till it heals which is about a week. Get some press and seal wrap to put over incision when bathing.

It is a adjustment having the PM, but soon you will so much better and back to your old self!
Message me if you other questions. Bev C.

thanks

by deaconsmommy - 2013-03-09 11:03:37

thank you fpr all your support and words of encouragement

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