Planning to "take" you all with me!

Hi everyone! I've been avidly reading this site and researching everything I can in anticipation of obtaining my first PM in 3 days... I'm very excited and hopeful about it! I have brady, which seems to have been lifetime low hr, and started noticing a fairly rapid regression in energy and hr over the past few months; had all the tests to ensure all else ruled out, so here I go for my dual lead Biotronik procedure. 

I'm very impressed and grateful to all those who post here, regulars, experts, new folks, scared or concerned folks, all the various questions, answers, advice and experience sharing.  So I'm going to do my best to bring you with me for company thru every part of my lil procedure as I can get away with doing, even though I am not the best with an ipad and never blogged before. Hoping to take lots of notes.

At 62, I swim 5-6 days/wk and use a recumbent stepper at home, since there are no safe places to walk in our area; would also like to eventually get back to smacking the golf balls a bit again, or at least some putting. I don't want to hope for too much, but do plan to do whatever I can to keep moving safely and get back in the water when allowed to submerge a bit, using a swim belt and keeping my impacted side still, resting my arm on the belt or just using forearm, whatever feels OK.  We are flying to Florida for a small vacation 3 1/2 weeks post op, so don't want to jeopardize the trip. I usually sleep on my left side and use a cpap, so will need to adjust as needed. Other than taking it easy and moving as safely as I can, I look forward to having more breath, energy and less sleepy days soon. Have done the "heavier lifting" chores and shopping to prepare, and can hardly wait til Thursday... Will be visiting you whenever I start to worry or feel a bit blue, as I see how helpful and healthful this club has been to so many. I hope to help also eventually, if I can... 

I think and feel too young to act so old, and know there are no two situations exactly alike, just too many variables, conditions, meds, etc, etc.... If anyone has any other advice to help me prep, please feel free - and thanks again!

2 Comments

Planned install

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-05-02 16:56:09

Have you discussed with doctor whether you need alternate placement of your PM?  Do be sure to fully discuss your activities with your doctor.  

A pre-planned PM install is an opportunity for discussion many of us do not have. 

Planned Install

by JoJo B - 2017-05-02 18:05:08

Another great comment, thank you!

As it turns out, thanks to the many questions, advice, comments, etc posted here, I did discuss implant location in detail with my cardiac surgeon just today (surgery is day after tomorrow). I emphasized activities/levels in detail, CPAP use, tendency to scar, the type of placement issues I do NOT want, options such as subpectoral, etc. I primarily don't want any interference or excessive rubbing with swimming laps, esp backstroke, and golf swings (which he relates to). 

I feel even more assured after having a long discussion and covering everything I could think of, after learning from here what to ask about. If anyone else out there is facing an upcoming pm, DO ask all you can in advance, don't be afraid to do so. It can only help going into surgery knowing you did what you could... Then be observant. I told him I plan to document my experiences, whatever they may be.

Thanks again!

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