18 Months and counting, Plus travel:)

Ah how refreshing!

by Lavender - 2024-11-14 16:39:34

Your enthusiasm is inspiring! Lol at your teaching us a new word as well. I looked it up and it makes sense!

The Spanish word marcapasos comes from the Spanish word marcar, which means "to set" in English. The word marcapasos is used to refer to a medical device that regulates the heartbeat, also known as a pacemaker. The device sets the beat that the heart follows, which is why the word marcapasos comes from the Spanish word marcar

Verb-object compound, composed of marca(“to mark”) +‎ pasos (“paces”)

awesome!

by Tracey_E - 2024-11-14 18:11:56

These are my favorite posts. Thanks for the update!

The first time I traveled internationally was to Spain, so I memorized how to say "I have a pacemaker" in Spanish. I've been all over the world since, and never once needed to know how to say it in another language. Crazy how what's a big deal at first gradually becomes something we never think about. 

Very encouraging post!!!

by Rch - 2024-11-14 21:53:27

Hi Chris

Reading your bio and previous posts, it wasn't very clear to me exactly what your indications for the pacemaker were, except Vasovagal syncope! Could you  be more specific for the benefit of the club members as to the condition, mode ( DDD, DDDR etc), settings if you have a copy of the report? Your post is very encouraging for all of us who might be contemplating on travel to different countries but do think twice before embarking on one. I have a BSC Accolade in DDD mode for 2 degree AV block. Whenever I plan on any trip especially to developing countries, I go on the BSC website on travel and it gives me qualified EPs in different countries but they are only in major cities which may be hundreds of miles away from the areas I am visiting. In fact, about a month ago, we were planning exactly the same trip you went on but then backed off because I had some new issues with my pacemaker with excessive ventricular pacing. I had to get an interrogation to check and see the PM to find that my heart block had progressed!.It is a topic for a separate post. Most travel posts on this site are mainly on airport security and not PM related issues during travel. One of the things I always look into on travel is emergency evacuation insurance. That usually guarantees you to be transported to a facility equipped to deal with the special situation!

I would like to hear from other club members how they plan their travel outside of N. America or Europe! 

Good to hear

by piglet22 - 2024-11-15 06:43:51

Your experience is exactly the sort of life affirming story that pacemakers are all about.

You have had your normal life restored through the power of silicon and some very clever software.

Heart problems due to electrical defects are eminently fixable.

It always amazes me that something invented by chance by an enthusiast in a shed has evolved into these powerhouses that truly change lives.

It's all about what you can do, not what you can't.