Work/Jobs

work

by AgentX86 - 2023-02-12 14:53:13

I don't know what your employer thinks but you shouldn't have any problems.  After a month or two, your leads are going nowhere. Unless the transmitter it right on your chest it won't be a problem. If it's handheld just make sure to yse the other hand.

There are very few thing's that you'll be unable to do. Again, your employer may get scared but it's an overreaction. Ask your cardiologist.

UK Police

by PapaMike - 2023-02-13 04:25:19

A PM is perfectly compatible with a decent career in the UK Police so long as you have no other health conditions or medications. A PM alone is fine.

I finished my A Levels and went into electrical engineering, but I hated it. At age 30 I joined the police, it was something I'd always wanted to do but never thought I'd be able to do it. 1 year in I was diagnosed with bradycardia and third degree heart block. Got a pacemaker and never looked back. 11 years frontline until 2019 when I ended up having aortic valve replacement via open heart surgery. The meds meant I had to take a non-conflict role (beta blockers against national policy for running fitness test) which would have been great if I wanted a cushy job to take me through to retirement. But that is not me, I wanted to be frontline so joined the ambulance service. I'm now a technician training up to be a paramedic and its the best thing I ever did. I have a number of quite severe health conditions, but having a pacemaker is honestly the least of my worries. It never stopped me driving, carrying firearms, using Taser, or hinder any career progression. I wore my radio on my opposite side, only because then it was more comfortable to use my left hand to operate whilst writing with my right hand. When on firearms I wore on left without a single problem. Security arch scanners in custody or at court were never a problem, same with the handheld scanners/wands. In fact, the only time I ever had an issue was wearing the Axon body worn camera right over the device, but clipping it right side solved that straight away.

The Equality Act is on your side. As long as your medical condition or prescribed medication is not contradictory to policing, then simply having a pacemaker is fine.

On the job

by Gotrhythm - 2023-02-13 12:37:21

You've gone through a lot in a very short time, facing mortality issues three or four decades sooner than most people. Give yourself a little time before trying to make big decisions.

Right now, the big thing you need to know about living with a pacemaker is that practically any electronic device or electrical appliance that is safe for the average person to be around is safe for you. So don't rule out anything. If you're interested in a job, look into it. Once you have applied, investigate exactly what equipment you might need to use. The number of things that could be a problem is actually very, very small and there are usually work-arounds.

As for wires, forget about them. Once you are healed, nothing is going to accidentally dislodge them.

I know that right this minute it's like you have a six foot neon sign blinking PACEMAKER! PACEMAKER! PACEMAKER! But the day will come, sooner than you think, that you will whatever you want and (safely) forget you even have it for months at a time.

Hugs

by Lavender - 2023-02-13 16:03:05

As a mom of a police officer, my hat is off to you!🚔🚓

Be good to yourself and get better and you'll be back to work in no time. Your pacemaker shouldn't hold you back!

dont see a problem

by dwelch - 2023-02-15 15:10:08

I dont see how the pacer would be a problem now Im not from the UK so where I am from there are more guns than people, certainly in the patrol car.   Most folks are right handed and most of us get the pacer in the left shoulder.  Doc said something about shooting a rifle, but, not everyone with a pacer shoots rifles.  In your case I dont know what it is like in the UK that and heavy backpacks (work or otherwise), and the damn seat belt are the only issues.   

The seatbelt is an annoance, we drive on the correct side of the road and there are probably as many cars as people here too, so it rubs us the wrong way.  in the uk it would be passenger side assuming pacer is on the left, and a fuzzy belt pad on the belt, plus you have a lot of gear on anyway.

There should be solutions for backpacks, I assume if anything work related has that it would be some sort of special force and not transport police.

Likewise I have been through the UK and dont remember rifles on the backs of the cops in the airport (where as in other countries, yes handguns rifles on the back or machine guns on a strap over the shoulder (nope not the usa))...

You are good, it should not be something they can discriminate you for IMO...

Similar Story!

by doodlelover - 2023-02-15 15:26:15

Hi!

Super scary what you went through but I am glad you recieved a pacemaker. IIm 30 and in October of last year I had cardiac arrest in the middle of the night, coded again in the ICU and was in a coma for 8 days. I recieved a dual ICD and had similar worries when it comes to work. My work was/is the best and have accomodated for my needs.I'm and education coordinator so I have to haul a lot of  stuff around. I either bring someone with me to help or try to take multiple trips. I wouldn't let having a pacemaker hold you back from whatever you want to do (for the most part, haha).