Can I recover at home alone?

being alone

by Tracey_E - 2018-12-02 10:53:35

If you think you will be uncomfortable alone, ask someone to stay with you the first night, but you will be able to easily take care of yourself. Most of us are just sore after, not the least bit disabled. 

Good to Know!

by dahlink54 - 2018-12-02 11:54:27

Thank you ladies! This makes everything easier! 

Independence

by dahlink54 - 2018-12-02 12:58:57

Thank you Robin, For some reason the first time I read your post there was only the first few sentences. I understand exactly what you mean about deciding about the defribulator. I have been absolutely against it for this entire year. My heart disease is characterized by " sudden death" which to my mind is ok. I would like to be happy healthy happy healthy ...dead. I'm making a joke of this but it is a serious and real consideration. 

What changed my mind were a second and third opinion from truly top doctors for this disease.  Its a wake up call to decide. I came to the conclusion that if I keel over while hiking with friends or around my family..it would be irresponsible of me to lay that kind of trauma on them if I could have avoided it. Not to mention if it happened while I was alone, who would have the experience of finding me. I am truly sorry if this is too morbid,,,but putting a happy face sticker on a very real , personal , and important decision just won't do. I have to believe I'm not the only one to run down the list of why's morbid or not.

All that being said, you are absolutely right about being clear about the need. At some point, and soon, I will stop tearing up everytime I think of it , alternately being pissed off big time and feeling sorry for myself...I've made the decision and now it's a go. I intend to be one of the people who say "no big deal I dont even know I have it." I'm still scared shitless which I cannot seem to talk myself out of, but being scared hasn't stopped me from a lot in my life, and the things it has stopped me from might have turned out better if I could have gotten over myself.

That you went ahead after a stroke (!) and were at the beach not too far after...shows me this can be done,  and gives me courage. 

Tomorrow 8am I meet the cardiophysiologist. Any suggestions of what to ask or be aware of? the tentative date is the 11th.

thanks so much for the responses, and the opportunity to say what I am thinking.

Bring things down from high shelves

by LondonAndy - 2018-12-02 20:14:58

Although there is much discussion on the board about whether the caution from doctors not to lift our arms above our heads for the first few weeks to avoid the risk of pulling the newly attached wires out of the wall of the heart are actually necessary, you might want to think about moving things you have to regularly reach up for in the kitchen, or perhaps bathroom cabinet or storage cupboard over the bed etc, to lower level for easier reaching.

I live alone and had open heart surgery and then the pacemaker insert, and even for that I only had a friend stay a week, to follow me around and stop any "auto-pilot" reaching up, and then to help get things down for me.