I"m new at this!

I went on this site before I had my ICD installed on May 29 (08)
Your comments were a great help and comfort to me, as the doctors tend to hand you written material and expect you to be satisfied. As the old saying goes, the difference in major surgery and minor surgery is whether it is happening to you or to someone else.
So , I was really looking for practical answers to the whole thing when I discovered this site. Thanks to all of you for helping me adjust to the idea of invading my body.
I am in my 6th day and having no problems, except for a feeling of heaviness when I turn over at night.

As the days go by, I wonder how it will feel to get back to normal, i.e., swimming , walking, taking care of grandchildren, going to the gym.
I will enjoy reading your comments.

juneb in Florida

3 Comments

Me Too

by LindaScarberry - 2008-06-04 05:06:07

I had my ICD implanted on 5/16; the site feels heavy and full. It's starting to feel less so now. I can tell the swelling has gone down considerably. Still bandaged. Are you still getting tired? By the afternoon, I start feeling like a zombie. Wonder if that's normal and why? Did you cough before the implant? I did, didn't cough after implant until yesterday - now I've started coughing again - are you?

This site is great because we can talk with each other to help us understand what we are going through.

I wish you the best,
Linda

You Are Normal

by tripastor - 2008-06-04 10:06:06

Juneb,

One of the things I have had to process in my own mind and heart since having my PM implanted in January is that I am still normal, and I am the same person that I was before the implant. The only difference is I have a safety net now.

I would suggest taking exercise and getting back into your routine slow, but know that it can be done if you are persistent. You may even find that you have more energy to do the things that you love!

Good luck and keep us posted on how your recovery is progressing.
Tripastor

I'm new, too

by HelenB - 2008-06-04 11:06:16

Hi Juneb!

Welcome to the site (I am pretty new, too - got my ICD on May 13th). I've found this site very helpful, as well. My doctor is great (he even phones me at home to see if I have any questions, and to make sure I'm feeling ok). But, I still wanted to find out as much as I possibly could about the ICD, and some things you need to hear from others who have experienced it.

I am starting slowly to get back to normal - light exercise (going for walks and doing easy yoga.. no arm exercise, of course). I am feeling much better than I felt in the first week after the surgery. Sometimes I feel the ICD, other times I don't. I am quite happy with it so far, though of course I am still getting used to it.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello and welcome. I hope you're feeling well today!

Helen

You know you're wired when...

You can hear your heartbeat in your cell phone.

Member Quotes

I am just grateful to God that I lived long enough to have my ICD put in. So many people are not as lucky as us; even though we sometimes don't feel lucky.