Nervous

Revision

by ROBO Pop - 2017-12-18 12:54:26

You'll do fine. They do this stuff all the time and seldom do problems arise. Let us know how you fare

Normal to be Nervous

by Grateful Heart - 2017-12-18 18:58:05

Like Robo said, you'll be fine.  Many of us have had revisions.  It's scary to us....piece of cake for the docs.

Try and stay positive, it will be behind you soon.

Grateful Heart  

Sounds familiar!

by LORIAAA - 2017-12-18 23:19:47

Happened to me August 2016.  They replaced my leads.

Back in my room

by bposter - 2017-12-19 00:52:51

This time they put me fully under and intubated me in case they needed to do more. The second lead had indeed punctured all the way through the heart wall and pushed 2mm into the paracardium. They inserted a sonar probe down my throat and into my stomach so when they removed the lead they could see the paracardium better with ultrasound. If bleeding occurred things would have gotten more invasive, and luckily they didn't.

They removed the dressing and found some infection, they were initially concerned it went down into the wound. With a little digging they decided it was surface only, which is fortunate because the alternative was that they then remove everything and start over on the other side. Both arms would have been out of commission for a month.

The new lead was placed, everything cleaned up, and I'm back in my room. Definitely more sore this time but nothing I cant handle. My heart rate and blood pressure are up, and while the nurses raise eyebrows the doctors aren't sure why and seem unconcerned, so I'm trying to be as well. 

At this point if everything stays cool then I'll get a few more horse size doses of antibiotic and go home tomorrow after 2pm. 

Really wish we could solve the blood pressure mystery. Shortly after I got back to my room my heart rate and pressure spiked suddenly and haven't gone back down. I was resting at 122/70 65bmp, and it shot up to 100bpm where it's hovered for hours now. Every time the check my blood pressure (hourly) it's higher, up to 165ish now. Wonder what it has to hit for them to start digging.

Thanks for the comments. We don't know each other yet, but I really appreciate the support. ;)

Thanks Robin

by bposter - 2017-12-20 00:28:13

Will do. Just got home and took a carful shower. My wound immediately started feeling hot on the way home, though it's just warm to the touch. Going to keep an eye on it, and try not to worry over much. Don't make me go back to the hospital! Lol

Crossing my fingers that the antibiotics do their job. Hadn't considered ice though, thanks!

Overdid it today

by bposter - 2017-12-22 02:02:25

Woke feeling really good and spent the day busy with my wife and son. I'm 35, he's 2.5, and I've missed him being in the hospital all weekend. 

Yeah, I overdid it, and then I spent the evening feeling like I was going back to the hospital. My heart jumped a few times, a few minutes apart, for no reason I could discern, making me sure I'd dislodged a wire. The anxiety mixed with a full stomach made me feel short of breath..etc, etc. I can't honestly say that I know nothing is wrong, but my guess is that tonight was in my head mostly. Here's hoping.

I've spent my life being a pretty confident person, like many of you I'm sure, and these slashes at my confidence have emotionally weakened me. I can't tell when I'm being overly sensitive or attentive, being confident or ignoring potential warning signs. I want to feel like I'm on my way to forgetting about all this, not worrying I'm heading back to the hospital.

I appreciate being able to vent to folks that understand, and your insightful posts. I'll get through this just like the rest of you have, I know it. Just ready to sleep easy knowing I'll be fine, fingers crossed.

Good luck

by TTT34 - 2017-12-26 20:43:26

I totally empathise with you. The hardest part of this is knowing when things aren't right or if it's a normal sideaffect! Good luck with your recovery!

Thanks again

by bposter - 2017-12-26 21:54:10

7th day post op and I've felt more like myself most of the day, got better sleep last night and that helped a lot. I find that if I'm too active I start getting PVC's, and most evenings if I get too tired, which I don't care for. The amount if beat awareness I have a night now is also unpleasant, it contributes to the insomnia/anxiety. Hoping I get used to the new norm soon.

All in all I "am" improving and glad for it. Thanks again for the support everyone.