I'm back after surgery!!!

Hi all, I'm the 24-year old that had my PM implant surgery was last Friday morning June 8th and I am feeling great compared to before! I am sore of course kinda like some pulled muscles is what it feels like in my chest and shoulder on the left side. I guess that is normal. Having trouble laying down in bed too at night. I prop up with about 5 pillows under me and then an extra pillow under my left arm to prop it up. I have also been having trouble with my left breast.... sorry to be so blunt... but the thing is so darn heavy that I am constantly either wearing a strapless bra or holding it up myself, I can't bear to just let it hang because the weight hurts like crazy!! Those are probably my only complaints, but overall I feel like a million bucks and I have had compliments on how I actually have color in my face again (I say yeah that's what happens when you actually have a pulse again and oxygen can get to your brain!!!). I stayed in the hospital Friday night and they read my PM Saturday morning and my heart tried to drop 22 times during the night!!!!!! The pacemaker of course kicks in and I am sleeping so much better than before!!! I can feel the device working several times a day, and NO WONDER I needed this thing. It doesn't hurt or bother me when it "goes off", it's just cool that I can feel it working. I had a couple of bad moments in the hospital but I will save for a later post. I am just glad to be back and thanks to everyone for the support before I went under!!! Sincerely, Constance

6 Comments

So glad things are going well!

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-06-14 02:06:14

Constance,
So glad that the surgery went well. Isn't it amazing when you come out with color instead of that pale look? That was the most amazing thing for me when I came out looking like I had normal complexion. I know I still use my pillow at night under my breast area it makes it a lot more comfortable when trying to sleep.
Continue having your positive attitude and know that you have the support from many of us and if you ever need somebody to talk to just send me a private message. Take care of yourself and get lots of rest. Many prayers and thoughts!
Tammy

new PM

by CathrynB - 2007-06-14 03:06:19

Hey Constance,
So glad to hear you came through your surgery so well and with a positive, problem-solving attitude -- that's wonderful! Especially glad to hear you're feeling so much better, have good color, etc -- those are common after-affects of getting a PM. I got my PM over 4 months ago, and I'm still wearing strapless bras because the pressure of the strap on top of the PM is still uncomfortable. Seatbelts too, when you're in the driver's seat. Are your hands and feet also warmer? That was another pleasant side effect I experienced. Keep moving your left arm so you don't get frozen shoulder, but follow doctor's orders strictly about not raising it above your shoulder so you won't pull a lead. We're all so happy to hear the good news. Give us an update when you feel like it, and you already know where to bring your questions, right? Take care, Cathryn

Hands and Feet

by Surferman - 2007-06-14 11:06:06

Hello Constance,
Cathryn is right about those hands and feet. I never realized that my feet were always cold until I got my pacemaker. Another benefit of having a pm is the wonderful night sleeps you'll have, once the soreness and swelling down down; I began to notice the swelling going down during the fifth week, very noticeable from one day to another. Before the pm, i would sleep no more than two hours; then I'd awaken. I think my pulse had probably dropped dangerously low and my nerve system awakened me to get my heart beating a bit faster. I mention this because it may have happened to you as well. I think this has been the case with other pacers. Good luck with your healing process. Be patient. I was and all is well with my pm. I can sleep on both sides as well as my back. I'm sure such will be the same for you. Keep us posted. Surferman

so so right

by jessie - 2007-06-15 01:06:21

yes i noticed i was not sleeping and now i do sleep. last summer i would awaken and i mentioned this to my doctor. he didn't twig in at all so i kept on trying to figure it out on my own. my sleep is ever so better than it was and especially after a few weeks when one is more comfortable and the soreness is gone. good luck be patient as surferman says and all will be well jessie

Run For Your Lives!

by valerie - 2007-06-15 01:06:41

She’s back!
Hehehehehe, jk.
I’m so happy for you! You are so young and you have your whole life ahead of you, so I'm glad your pacemaker is helping. I agree with all the above comments; great advice/comments for you.

You will be back to your old self soon. And don’t worry if you don’t feel 100% better right away. Just be patient with the soreness going away and stuff like that. But of course, if you are not getting better, make sure you check with your doctor. I found that walking helped a lot with the recovery, so if its alright with your doctors (as I don’t know what their orders are), perhaps you can do this to keep getting stronger each day.
Anyway, out of curiosity, what kind of pacemaker did they implant in you? Green, orange, yellow? jk

Isn’t it wonderful when people automatically can see the difference in you? OR, when they looked at you, did they say “Goodness Gracious! Get her back into surgery!" hahaha jk
I hope your recovery continues to go well for you and please keep us posted. Feel free to contact me anytime.
Happy Recovery!
~valerie

Happy for you

by Suze - 2007-06-15 10:06:20

All the above advice is is right on.

I realised that I sleep 100% better post PM, but never gave a thought to other benefits....like warmer hands and feet and better color in my face. Friends and family said I looked better than I had in years, but they weren't specific. And I was afraid to ask what they meant!

I also had problems at first with my breast pulling the implant/surgery incision into a very uncomfortable position. That WILL resolve itself in a few weeks.

I'm so glad everything is going well.

Take care,
Suze

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