Want to say thanks!

• by Busdriver
• 2015-11-28 08:11:50
• General Posting
• 871 views
• 0 comments

Last week was my 1 year anniversary of being paced. Just two weeks after my 55th birthday, I found myself in a hospital with a heartrate in the low 30s and unable to catch my breath. When the doctor told me he was going to put in a pacemaker, I was shocked. I always believed pacemakers were for old people, and at 55, I sure as heck didn't feel like I was old. After the implant, I could feel the difference almost immediately. I could breathe, I could walk more than 25 feet without feeling like I was going to pass out, and the list goes on.

Now, after one year with a St. Jude pacemaker, I feel absolutely great! I have started exercising and have lost over 30 pounds, with at least another 50 to go. I usually walk at least one and a half to over 2 miles 5 days a week. Some days I walk more than that because I just feel like I am just getting started after a mile or so.

I realize I am one of the lucky ones. My implant procedure went well, I have had no pain, and I am not experiencing any emotional or physical complications from having this device. I only wish everyone who ends up with an ICD or a pacemaker was as fortunate.

Finding this site helped answer a lot of questions I had. My mind was put at ease by hearing from others who went through similar situations, or worse. Any fears I had of leading an abbreviated life or one with limited abilities were quickly replaced by the encouragement of others that I could do anything I wanted. It took me a little while to understand what I was being told by others on this site that not only could I do the things that I was unable to do before my implant, but also that I SHOULD do things I may not have be able to do prior to the implant.

There are so many people who answered my questions, and quite literally helped put my mind at ease enough so that I could sleep knowing I would most likely wake up and still feel great, and that it was just going to get better!

I do want to thank one person in particular, and that is TracyE. TracyE answered or commented on many of my questions, and I see her taking the time to do the same thing for others. AngrySparrow also helped me thru a tough time by answering questions for many others. A lot of the questions I have seen many "experienced" posters answer were questions I never thought to ask, and there are many of you who commented on subjects that provided so much good information.

Thank you all so very much. I appreciate you taking the time to offer encouragement and comfort to your fellow man. You have been a blessing to more people than you can imagine. May God bless you!