Strange...

In my health class we are currently learning about how to preven heart disease and affects of obesity stuff like that. For some reason I'm angered about how people like my teacher keep talking about preventing heart disease and having to get things like a pm but i find it offensive how he doesnt tell how it could affect your family, or how 1 out of every 100 kids is born with heart disease. I just find my enraged reaction strange because i feel as if i should be saying something during the lesson but at the same time i dont want to say"Yeah guys just dont do stupid things or you'll end up like me, but the only differnece being you could have prevented it!" Anyways anyone ever get sensitive at times? I love learning about the heart but come on people my heart problem was congeital just like 1 out of evry 100 kids!!

8 Comments

Survior

by admin - 2007-11-01 08:11:09

My first pacer was implanted at age nine after my second open-heart surgery.

I think that you teacher is teaching your classmates about heart disease to be very encouraging. I also think this present you with an opportunity to educate others about congitial disease and pacemakers. You could offer to share your story with your class.

Blake

Hi!

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-11-02 01:11:24

Hey Marisab,
When I was taking classes in college one of my professors started talking about pacemakers and as Dominique said if you speak up they will be very interested some may look at you like your crazy and those are the ones that you just blow off.
I hope that you will have the chance to share your story and if not with your class talk to your teacher about it. I wish you luck my friend!
Tammy

speak up

by Shell - 2007-11-02 06:11:22

i remember when I was in high school in Biology we were talking about the heart and stuff and everyone had to take there pulse. The teacher said what the normal was and then said if your's is below 50 you wouldn't be there. (my guess he figured you'd be in the hospital or something) I raised my hand to correct him. (at the time I didn't have a pm but normal heart rate was 45 and didn't increase with activity)

getting sensitive

by mferrie07 - 2007-11-02 08:11:18

I agree with Blake this does present an opportunity for you to share your story and educate people. you never know someone could be having symptoms like we have had like dizziness, rapid heart rates, etc.. and because they are young no one is listening. However I do get sensitive. A girl at our office made a crack about me and my daughter(she works with me). She told one of our medical reps that "if my daughter continued to take her meds (she has ulcerative colitis). She was going to end up with a pacemaker just like her mother". how rude! How wrong , I had a problem with my heart for over 20 years and it wasn't drug related. Hang in there we all feel different then we once were, I believe especially when it comes to our emotions and families.

Margaret

good advice

by Angie_O_Plasty - 2007-11-02 09:11:45

Speaking up and educating the class sounds like a good idea to me as well. In fact, in one of my nursing classes last year somebody did just that--we were learning about cardiology and during a class break one young woman in the class got up and said that if anyone had any questions about ICDs they could feel free to ask her because she happens to have one. She then passed a "demo" ICD around the room so we could all see what one actually looked like. The rest of us thought it was pretty cool that she shared that and we all respected her for having the guts to do so. Go for it!

Just a Suggestion.

by Stepford_Wife - 2007-11-02 12:11:45

Hi Marisab.

When your teacher brings the subject of pacemakers,
raise your hand and tell him/her that you would like to comment on this subject, because you have a pacemaker. And that you'll be happy to answer any question anyone might have.
You will find that your teacher and peers, will be very interested and curious, and you'll earn their respect from that point on, for being straight forward, courageous and informative.
I understand why you might feel sensitive at times, not everyone will be positively receptive, but those are the ones who have a hard time comprehending things that are over their head.
And you should just dismiss their comments.
Good luck, stay positive, having a pacemaker is nothing to be embarrassed about. Look at what it allows you to continue doing.
Take care,

~ Dominique ~

tried that

by marisab - 2007-11-06 03:11:00

I have tried to mention people with pacemakers to my teacher during lessons, however he doesnt really listen to me because i seem to always know the answers so when i raise my hand for a comment he thinks its actually an answer and wants to give other students chance. I do tell my friends stuff afterwards though. So i'll try harder next time!

Hello!

by uvagershwin - 2008-01-20 03:01:45

Well, my teachers haven't brought up the subject yet, but I sure agree on how you would feel. My condition is congenital too, so I know how you feel. Yeah, people can be real jerks sometimes.

You know you're wired when...

Friends call you the bionic woman.

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