Update on replacement

Here's the lastest

I just talked to the cardio's nurse. Looks like we will do it Thurs for sure.

I'm well known at Medronic. She had the field rep call me back to answer questions. Just got off the phone with my friend at Medronics. He and I went over the new pacers technology, and how he would program it. All should be pretty much the same as my old Kappa 701. Darn, no adjustment knob.

I also found out a bit more about the changeover. They run the dependency test on the ventricles by stopping pacing for a few seconds and see if I can support myself. If not they hook up an external pacer to electrodes on my chest, just in case they need it. Then with the new pacer programmed for ventricle only pacing at 65bpm the cardio takes the ventricle lead out of the old pacer and plugs it into the new one. During the process I would only flat line for a few seconds. Since I've already had the experience of flat line for about 4-5 seconds without passing out it should be no problem.

The nurse said there was no problem with my having it done with local anesthesia only. She laughed when I told her I wasn't a druggie in the 60's and didn't plan on starting now. We used to have the Acid Heads. Now it's the Versaid Heads.

keep ya posted

frank

22 Comments

Replacement

by Pookie - 2010-01-11 02:01:27

Glad to hear everything sounds like it will go the way YOU want it to. It's good to hear you can have such an open dialogue with your caregivers/medical staff.

I'll certainly be thinking of you on Thursday. And of course, we all expect an update as soon as you can get back to your computer!!!!!!

Best of luck,
Pookie

The real story

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-11 02:01:48

Since without a replacement I would likely only have less than a year left in this world.

Hmmm, so 7 out of 10 wnat me?????

LOL

frank

darn

by Tracey_E - 2010-01-11 02:01:54

If they won't give you an adjustment knob, the least they could let you program it yourself.

Thanks to all

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-11 03:01:05

I'll keep you posted. If I could take my laptop into the OR I would give you a running account!!

frank

PM Replacement

by SMITTY - 2010-01-11 03:01:28

Hey Frank,

Glad to see things are moving in the right direction for your PM replacement. I did find interesting your comment ---- with the new pacer programmed for ventricle only pacing at 65bpm ---- as that is what my old one did when it went into VVI Mode. I realize yours is going to be for just a few second where mine was permanent, for up to 3 months at least. One other little difference is if I recall correctly you PM primarily paces the ventricle where mine paced the ventricle about 3% of the time and the atrial about 93% of the time. I learned real quick that with out the atrial pacing living was hell.

Keep us informed as I (and I know there are many more) look forward to your postings on this. Just tell us one more thing, how much is that little dude going to cost. I got my replacement last Oct. and I have never seen a bill. I'm sure somebody got a humdinger of one.

Good luck,

Smitty

Best Of Luck

by ppt - 2010-01-11 05:01:17

Hope it all goes as you want ! Will send positive thoughts towards CA on Thursday. I too am definitely one of the 7 !!
Putnam

The Best to you Frank

by breezy - 2010-01-11 06:01:08

Take care Frank - I wish you well and will be watching for your updates :) Thank you for all your postings to me.. they all helped and I did write all my questions down for the Dr that you said would be helpful.... had I not left a posting in here on what to ask.. I would have been lost... thanks again Frank and all the best for you
I also will be thinking of you and sending a lil prayer your way.....
best breezy

Good luck Frank

by tomh140 - 2010-01-11 06:01:24

I wish you the best on Thursday. I have learned so much from you and thank you for all the information and support you give me and others.
My pacemaker is due to be replaced this year and I have a Dr appointment on Thursday ( i will be thinking about you) and thanks to you ond others here I am armed with a lot of information and questions. I know they will be surprised at how much I have learned.

Wish you could take that laptop in with you - that would be awsome !!!!!!! I am also definately one of the 7 but i think it should be higher, like 9 or 10.

I can't wait to learn how you did and what your experience was like

Tom

wishing you the best

by aldeer - 2010-01-11 07:01:52

Please be sure to let us know soon how it turns out. We definitely need your help in this club, so you know that you will be in our prayers:).....aldeer

Versed heads

by lenora - 2010-01-11 08:01:08

Good stuff that Versed. In the "biz" we call it Vitamin V. Best wishes for Thursday. Lenora

Replacement

by Brenda Price - 2010-01-11 08:01:23

Good luck Frank You have taught all of us so much.Maybe you can make house calls as we all line in the future for the dreaded replacement. Will look forward to your next post

My thoughts are with you Frank

by Rewiredaussiegirl - 2010-01-11 08:01:30

Hi Frank,
I havent logged in for a long time and as you used to be one of my favourites here Im glad I did..My thoughts will be with you on Thursday...Make sure they knock you out well as if they dont I could imagine you will start to instruct them what to do..lol
You are such a great wealth of knowledge to everyone here and we all wish you well.
Im am getting my replacement next year so I will be following your progress..Take care and our prayers are with you..
Regards from a friend downunder....Kay

Ready to go

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-11 08:01:37

I've got most everything ready for the fun. I won't know my scheduled time until Wed afternoon.

It's funny, but I don't see it as that big a deal. I've had dental work that was worse that my original implant while wide awake. I figure if I would rather sleep through it I'll just take a snooze on my own.

Now if the battery just holds out for a couple more days.

Bye the way the Spam Filter entry for this post is
ohwom. Sounds like a new age meditation.

frank

Replacement

by riodog - 2010-01-11 10:01:33

Hope everything goes just as you want on Thursday. Best wishes to you. You are an invaluable member of this forum and so kind to all. No question is too weird for you.

gretchen

Make that 8 out of 10

by janetinak - 2010-01-11 10:01:51

Make me #8, Frank! Don't give the team too hard a time, hah. I bet you keep them on their toes. Report back to the PM-er's asap so we can keep asking you for advice & great tips. We luv ya,

Janet up north

Thinking of you!

by tcrabtree85 - 2010-01-12 02:01:38

Frank,
Last year I was awake for my surgery and took my camera and gave it to the nurse. I said I want pictures for you to show me. They replaced the entire unit then. She only took one picture to show me but the Dr did say it had to be deleted. I couldn't see being on the table and not knowing what was going on.
I'm glad things are going the way you want them too. I will be thinking of you. In one week I have my surgery and also plan on being awake for it.
I will be thinking of you and praying for you!

Love,
Tammy

Laptop in ER - I can see you now.

by Shirley - 2010-01-12 02:01:41

The greatest thing is how well you understand most all the functioning power and capabilities of these gadgets. It must relieve you of a lot of the tension and fear of having this procedure done.

All the same, I will be thinking of you on thursday and sending all my postive energy your way. You are so helpful to everyone on this site and this time it is our turn to wish the very best for you.

Looking forward to hearing all about your procedure once you have recovered and rested up.

shirley

Give the camera a dose of Versaid?

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-12 03:01:51

I wonder what they are hiding?

frank

Effects of understanding it all

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-12 09:01:27

Shirley,
You are right about that. I've pretty much talked to everyone involved and know what is happening. My approach to medicine is that I am an active decision making member of the team. I respect their knowledge and expect them to respect mine. In surgery I like to be awake and able to participate. They sometimes have problems with that. They are more used to the "here I am, fix me" approach.

I have most everything squared away until Wed when I get my schedule for the big event on Thurs.

best,

frank

BATTERY????

by donb - 2010-01-12 10:01:49

Hi Frank, Here's one project while in the ER, How about getting all the specialists recognize it's a PM change not battery change. Guess that one is strictly a cover story that got started to make the surgery look less aggresive. Have a good snooze and enjoy the scenery. donb

Best wishes, Frank

by Angelie - 2010-01-12 11:01:10

I'm surprised that you can't create your very own pacemaker, since you were able to create your own EKG machine. LOL.

You're like me. I'm always awake for my procedures. I talk to them during the procedure and am just as much a part of it as they are. I wouldn't have it any other way, but I'm glad that my doctor allows it. He knows me well enough to know that I can tolerate it.

Just remember to tell them after they removed the sterile drape, "Ah, it's just a flesh wound!"

Best of luck with the exchange,
Angelie

Comments

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-12 12:01:03

Donb,
Yesterday when the person scheduling the surgery wanted me to confirm what I was having done, I answered that it was a pacemaker replacement. She said they weren't replacing the pacemaker, just the Generator. I finally figured out that in their world the Pacemaker is both the Generator and Leads. Learn something new every day.

Angelie,
Glad I have a fellow traveler as far as staying awake. I figure when they remove the drape I just say "Oh that was only slightly worse than my last root canal".

frank

You know you're wired when...

You prefer rechargeable batteries.

Member Quotes

Thank you technology! My life is much improved.