Just venting

Hi everyone, I was told about a month ago that I needed a pacemaker after fainting in the Gym (my EP study showed slow Sinus node and AV wenckebach). Today was supposed to be the day of the implant. I psychologically prepared myself for it. I arranged for time off at work. I fasted. I arrived at the hospital on time at 6:45am. I waited. At 9am they told me they didn't have enough beds and would have to reschedule my angiogram!!! I said "what angiogram?"... ooops, the doctor didn't bother to read my papers.
Anyway, now I am at home and I have nothing but the assurance of the nurse that they will do the PM implant on Thursday.
I keep reminding myself that in the broad scheme of things, this isn't the worst thing that could happen. The fact they don't have any beds means there are other people worse off than I am... but wait, I've been in one of those beds for a week and know damn well that not everyone in a bed really needs to be there. Half of them are probably sitting on the edge waiting for someone to tell them they can go home. The whole NSW hospital system is so inefficient!
The most frustrating part is that it is no single person's fault. All I want to do right now is yell at someone but who would it be?

3 Comments

more venting

by PEB - 2014-05-25 10:05:52

oh, and when I asked, they couldn't even tell me what device they were going to implant. All they could say was a Biotronik with home monitoring. I said, "that's nice, what model?" and they looked at me like I was crazy to ask such a question!
I work in medical device development & manufacturing. I want to know everything down to the batch number of the leads!

hi

by pacergirl - 2014-05-25 11:05:37

Well, looks like you have some valid questions for sure. Sounds to me like you are looking for some kind of control over what is happening to you. It's hard really, really hard to have to be the patient.

There are so many reasons that people appear to be just laying there in the bed, they may have a serious illness that have no outside appearances for one.

I nearly died myself because I looked just fine! That's a story for another day.

So, in closing please let me say this... You are not alone, you most likely will feel like a new person after you get your pacemaker and you will have all the information you can handle as soon as it is in place.

Wishing you all the best,
pacergirl

Hang In There

by WendyC - 2014-05-26 02:05:30

Hi PEB, I can empathise with what you are experiencing having recently endured with my sister, the incompetance of the public health system her in Victoria. I was fortunate in that my GP suspected that I would need a pacemaker by the time I went back to my Cardiologist for my next yearly consult with him for high blood pressure. This appointment was 12 months away so I promptly joined a health fund. It is a struggle financially but by far the best thing I have ever done for my health and peace of mind. Saw the Cardiologist 12 months later, in private hospital 3 days later, best of care and facilities and not one cent out of pocket. Continuing testing is bulk billed and no waiting. I have had no reason to use the health fund again since but I will hang on to it as long as I can in order to avoid the public health system. Good luck and please keep us posted.

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