two weeks in

• by junebinflorida
• 2008-06-12 05:06:03
• Coping
• 1566 views
• 0 comments

Hi, everyone.
I share your anxiety about getting an ICD implant.
I had mine two weeks ago and am happy to say all my anxiety has gone away. My incision is almost healed and I have never had a moment when I felt any different.
However, I googled the subject to death. I suggest you do the same. Some great sites are Cleveland Clinic, American Heart Association and Medtronics. (the manufacturer of my device.
I talked to people with this device and am fully aware of the "kick" one feels when the device goes off. However, I am self talking myself into the fact that , IF it goes off, it means I have successfully thwarted a heart attack. Also,I am hoping that , when I take my next echocardiogram , it will show that my ejection rate has improved and that my heart muscle has not overtaxed itself any more. The more I read on this site, the more I find that one can do anything one sets ones mind to.
Of course, the driving issue depends on other factors..if you have a serious heart situation, you could say you should not drive. I think in most cases it is up to the individual to decide.
I also have sleep apnea. (controlled). I have heard that 14 per cent of car accidents are caused by the driver falling asleep. Should they deny licenses to people with sleep apnea? I was driving as soon as I could comfortably wear a seat belt...about three days.

Just think positively, talk to your family about your fears, talk to and listen to others on this site, and determine to live your life as best you can.