I'm going in!

Well, a second diagnosis later I've decided to go ahead with the surgery. My new pacemaker, who btw I've named Julia (love my girlfriends, right?), is being implanted next Thursday, on the 17th. Prayers are especially appreciated. The second doctor was much nicer, great bedside manner but he was so "informative" it scared the crap out of me. My husbands look of relief when I said "ok" was all the validation I needed.

I'm scared to death. I've heard about no going back, being linked to doctors for the rest of my life and experiencing the pain of surgery and recovery. Who wouldn't be concerned? But, as always, the risk of not doing anything far outweighed the benefits.

I've been reading on this forum, thank you all for your honesty - it truly helps, that everyone has had both similar and different reactions. I'm a slow healer party because I'm also a big bleeder and WAS very active (daily exerciser) so I've been dreading the process of recovery. I'm also extremely curious what this type A personality at 38 bpm will be like at 70 bpm? Is the difference even noticeable? Just a reminder, I've been pretty much a symptomatic so I'm not expecting a huge "oh, I feel so much better" reaction. I've been told I've just gotten inured to my heart the way it currently beats. We will see.

My doctor had me see a plastic surgeon who will be making a sub muscular pocket near the collarbone and just above the breast cavity. He said it will hardly be noticeable. Hope so. Who wants a third boob?

If I sound better than my first panicked post it's because I'm resigned to doing this but trust me, the fear is just laying beneath the surface and typically erupts in the middle of the night when I'm not distracted by my day.

9 Comments

PM Surgery and Recovery

by Sethun - 2014-04-09 01:04:33

Hi Everyone,
I posted an update earlier today but got to thinking about a comment someone made about being awake during surgery. You're kidding, right??? OH gosh, I hope not. They are going under the muscle in my chest cavity and that can't feel good. So does this matter?? I really appreciated hearing that someone was doing ok, tired and a little sore, after only 48 hours but wow, that's awesome!!!

My best to everyone and thanks again for the support. It means so much!!

Stacy

ICE

by kmom - 2014-04-09 02:04:40

Also keep in mind, after hearing many comments about Ice, it is my best friend right now. It helps with swelling, and pain. so make sure to ask for ice at the hospital. Those ice packs to make a difference.

Under the muscle

by Parrothead57 - 2014-04-09 02:04:55

Hi Sethun,
I've posted many times about being fully awake during my surgery. But its my understanding that if they implant under the muscle they put you under completely. My implant was under the skin.

Best wishes on a smooth procedure and quick recovery!

Cheers!

Don't worry!

by kmom - 2014-04-09 09:04:57

Just had mine done on Monday! A little sore still and tired but I'm feeling much better. Last night was the best night of sleep I've had in several months! I think it's because my heart has stabilized and not going like a roller coaster anymore--As far as the surgery went yeah it's a little painful when they start pushing and tugging but all I had to say was "owie" and they shot me with more numbing medicine and more sedative. I wasn't nearly as knocked out as I was when I had an ablation last year. You will feel a lot better but give yourself time. I got a little frustrated yesterday when I was so tired and thought I should be feeling better then I realized that it hadn't even been 24 hrs after the implant. Good luck and prayers your way. You will do fine

good luck!

by Tracey_E - 2014-04-09 10:04:39

Fear is normal but most of us find it's nowhere near as bad as we build it up to be in our heads! You have a good attitude, that will take you far.

Excellent call by your doc using the plastic surgeon. Mine did that also, and no it's not visible. I can barely feel the edges of it if I poke around looking for it and the scar is low enough that it's covered by a tank top.

Everyone is linked to drs for the rest of their lives, ours is just a little more obvious.

My rate was about the same as yours before, but I was very symptomatic at the end. Waking up with a normal heart rate was similar to mainlining coffee. I could feel the difference when I woke up in recovery.

Good luck!!!!! Check in with us and let us know how it goes, and if questions come up before then or you just want to chat with someone who's been there, don't be shy.

6 1/2 weeks post

by wjs1954 - 2014-04-09 10:04:43

i am a male, had my pacemaker 2-24 went from a daily average hr of 43, resting mid 30's. Now the pacemaker is set at 60 min i am paced at 78% of the time feel much more alert. The surgery was about painless (i was OUT) do not remember a thing. about 8 hours in the hospital than home i went. Life is good Now if i could just drop these 15 LBS i put on in the 3 1/2 moths waiting for surgery :>),,

weight @wjs

by kmom - 2014-04-09 12:04:38

I know what you mean I need to drop about 50lbs! but just think now we can do it and have the energy to exercise. Just going up and down stairs about "killed" me and you know what I can do stairs now! (I have a 4yo that loves Disney's Doc Mcstuffins--and one of the songs that keeps going thru my head now is ...I feel better so much better.. thank doc for takin all the "ouches" away .....I feel better now...."} lol but I really do!! and I can sleep much better too!!!

D Day

by Sethun - 2014-04-17 08:04:03

Well, i'm home, showered and just waiting to go to the hospital for the implementation of my pacemaker today. Yesterday was not that great of a day when I got the call from the doctor's nurse saying that the new St. Jude model with not yet available at the hospital where I'm going here in Orlando. Rather than delay surgery I decided to go with the very tried and true biotronic model. I'm sure you can well imagine what it's like to schedule surgery around all the other things going on in one's life. In addition the timing of the surgery is interesting when you don't know WHEN you will really need the pacemaker.

Hope I made the right decision. I'm already hungry and thirsty 😗 I have excellent support from those I love and who love me including close friends and family and lots of people like this forum who have been praying and sending well wishes. I know I am in the best of hands, God's.

Talk to everyone afterwards. 😁😳😄💓

Post surgery

by Sethun - 2014-04-19 02:04:01

Well, I had my surgery Thursday afternoon and this is now Saturday afternoon. I'm have pretty persistent pain but am trying to go from Percocet two Tylenol to manage. I just hate that woozy feeling Percocet gives me.

The surgery was something else. What was anticipated to take one hour took four hours. My doctor added an EP study so that they could determine exactly where the electrical in pulses were not working and it was confirmed it was the sinus node the natural heart pacemaker that was not working at all. They created a pocket by going underneath my armpit which is great for cosmetic purposes but made it much more difficult on the doctor to effectively get the leads in the right place. They ended up having to intubate me which again created further strains on my recovery. Thank God they kept me overnight as I was definitely not in a good place.

I am home now with my loving husband and son and his wife were all taking very good care of me. Everyone keeps asking if I feel better now that my heart is being paste at 70 bpm having gone from 34. But honestly the answer is no I actually feel a little disconcerted with this constant heartbeat that I feel rapidly in my chest as opposed to a calm steady slow beat. The pain is probably distracting me as well.

I am a little freaked out over the doctors insistence that I never raise my arm above shoulder height for the next 30 days as this could dislodge the leads. He went on to say that during the first two weeks when I'm in pain all have a good reminder but after two weeks when the pain is gone it will be more challenging to remember not to do that. Any tips anyone has would be most welcome


Stacy

You know you're wired when...

Your license plate reads “Pacer4Life”.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker is the best thing that every happened to me, had I not got it I would not be here today.