OK - Now what???

Brand new at this. Had my hardware installed last Wednesday. Apparently someone got excited when my heart rate hit 38 bpm. Surgery not a lot of fun, took a long time to stop the bleeding due to the excessive warfarin I take for a metal aortic valve. I told the Dr. that I now have more than enough hardware installed and requested that he perform a software upgrade for my brain while he was at it. Apparently he didn't.

OK - it's been six days. When does the left side of my chest start to even remotely resemble the same color as the right side? Does the fluttering feeling go away, or will I just get used to it? Are there basic lifestyle changes that we all have to deal with? Why didn't they install a software upgrade (or at the very least, a memory upgrade) at the same time? What's with these two loops that look like little wires on either end of the incision? What on earth have I gotten myself into???????

5 Comments

Are you angry?

by Duke999 - 2013-07-30 03:07:45

If you are angry which I can understand, take it easy and gradually and slowly, many of the wonderful people on this site will an can help you eventually. Just be a little patient.
My own answers to your questions based on my case is the color at the PM spot will not be the same. The fluttering may or may not go away right away depends on your own conditon and possibly the adjustments for your PM. Yes, you will have to make many changes to deal with it such as no hard hitting or pressure to the PM spot, or sleeping position or playing sports. I think software upgrade refers to making the adjustments to your PM, and they will do that for you based on your condition. The wires are the leads that go from your PM to your heart, may be 1 for the upper part of your heart (Atria) and 1 for your bottom part of your heart (Ventricle). These electronics wires help to pace your heart when needed.
And the last anwer to your last question: You got yourself in to a new world, a new journey, a new mental game, a new philosophy about life and people, a new faith perhaps, a new perspective, a new education, a new patience, and a lot of more new stuffs to come.
I wish you well on this new journey. Welcome to the club.

Fallin...

by lubro - 2013-07-31 08:07:49

just a short comment here. I think SPARROW and Duke pretty much nailed it, so I'll just add this...
When I first came here to this club, scared, freaked... someone told me "welcome to the new normal"... that really makes a difference.. because what was normal before has changed somewhat... the discoloration will change... healing takes time ( I;m sure you're aware of all this after reading what you have been thru...) but, all things considered, you still have a good sense of humor, this will help you tremendously...like SPARROW said, attitude makes such a big difference.....the fluttering feelings, all the little quirks... you either learn to live with or just ignore...that being said, just want to welcome you to the best club around...browse around... see what others are going thru...you will see that we are all in this together...
take care...

Oh dear!

by Hope - 2013-07-31 11:07:53

Hi! From your bio, the latest is just one in a series of heart related experiences for you. Since I do not know you. I do not know if this is just your style of dealing with it all or if you are really down with it all. Hope you stick around for support. I am sure you could help some others by sharing your experiences. And by the way, if that mean old woman as you put it, even wants to celebrate an anniversary with you in your current mode, if you are serious, you are a lucky man. Happy Birthday and Anniversary! Hopeful Heart

Thank You, One and All

by FallinApart - 2013-07-31 12:07:42

I do so appreciate your heart-felt responses. I'm really OK with what's happening, a little discouraged, maybe (I've put the Mean-Old-Woman through so much - so much more than she signed up for). Just trying to make it to our big 50 next June 8. She deserves the planned trip to Hawaii.

The fluttering feeling is worrisome, don't like the arguments about who's going to provide the next beat. I'm sure I'll get used to it. Sure am looking forward to taking a shower (what the world needs now is a padded bath tub).

Again, thanks to all for your support. Of course, if there's anything I can do to help with any type of organized pandemonium, I'm your guy.

God bless, hug someone, I'm just
FallinApart

First Check-Up

by FallinApart - 2013-08-05 06:08:52

Got back from my first well-baby check today. Doctor Evil-laugh says my little bundle-of-joy is happy and healthy.

I did find out the answer to "What's with these two loops that look like little wires on either end of the incision?"

Turns out, that's exactly what they were. The two loops, about 1 1/2 inches each, were under the tape on either side of the incision. Doctor Evil-Laugh said "This will hurt me more than it will you". Wrong! Then he said, count to ten, and on the count of 2 and 7/8s, he pulled one of the two loops, and then stood there holding this small gauge wire, about 10" long, I asked Doctor Evil-Laugh what is was and he said it was the outer stitch. OK???!!! There's a reason he fits his namesake.

In the more-good-news department, the Mean Old Woman took me out for pizza and ice cream afterward.

God bless, hug someone, I'm just.....
FallinApart

You know you're wired when...

Your life has spark.

Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.