Latest Update on 85-Year-Old Husband

• by BillRussell
• 2014-02-05 04:02:46
• General Posting
• 1582 views
• 4 comments

My DH had his first "interrogation" I think you call it today of his pacemaker implanted January 3, 2014. I'll have to admit that I was totally ignorant as to what they do. I could tell that there was a problem when the tech called in one who was seemingly more knowledgeable than she was and there was quite a bit of low-tone discussion between them. When the doctor came in, he was quite confused for which he later apologized. He had said that my husband had had a defibrillator implanted because of his congestive heart failure and blah, blah, blah. He apparently had him confused with another patient. I called his attention to the fact that he did not have congestive heart failure. I am not sure what he was trying to say except that possibly a lead was not properly attached and was not giving out the proper impulses or charges. He explained that this would have to be followed quite closely (within 6 weeks) and, although it is doing its job sufficiently now, that it may not last as long as it should and he would not want to defer redoing the lead before it got too attached to where it is now, that it would be best to replace it early on. I asked him would that not likely result in infection, etc., and he said that, of course, every time you re-enter the incision site that there is more chance for infection. I am totally confused. My husband has had one problem after another and now when he seemingly is getting his strength back and his outlook is so improved, this thing has resulted. We have an appointment back to see him in 6 weeks but in the meantime we see his regular cardiologist (whom I really respect and believe) in 5 weeks, so maybe he can explain it better than this dude did today. He supposedly had done 1500 pacemaker implantations in his career, but he certainly has no people skills. Maybe that's not a requirement for being a good surgeon.

Has anyone of you experienced problem with a lead so soon after surgery and can share with me your experience? My husband had been concerned over the fact that two weeks after surgery when he was taken by ambulance to the ER for excruciating chest pain that a CAT scan was done to check for a pulmonary embolism and he was required to put both hands above his head for several minutes. He expressed concern to the technician but they said it was okay. We wonder if that was when the lead may have changed position.

Sorry to be so long, but I am just really upset and confused. I just ache for this dear person who has gone through so much in 30 days and now may have to go through another procedure. I feel like screaming very loudly if that would do any good.
Ann R.