Got the phone call!

Well... I have been waiting since July 2008 and I finally got the call yesterday and I go in next Monday to get my pacemaker implanted. I felt upset when I found out I had to get one but now I just have a real anxious feeling. I guess just nervous about the unknown. I have started a list of questions I want to ask before or after my surgery because I know on the day I am going to be a nervous wreck. Do you guys have any last minute questions or concerns I should address with the surgeon before I go in??

Thanks a bunch!

4 Comments

Good Luck!

by scadnama - 2009-01-06 06:01:53

Good luck on Monday! I will be praying for you! Take good care of yourself and keep us updated.

Amanda

Up coming implant

by Jonn - 2009-01-06 08:01:17

Hey Big,
I had my p/m implanted December 26, 2007. I admit I was afraid of the unknown. My procedure lasted 45 minutes and was without complications. Don't worry about the procedure. I realize that you have had a lot of time to think about it. With me -I went to the ER on Christmas Eve and had the implant the day after Christmas. I had very little time to think about it. But don't worry it will all be fine. And you'll feel much better afterwards. If your looking for questions to ask you might want to know about all of the restrictions you may have-the only one I had was not to perform any arc welding and to stay away from power plant switch yards-since I was a power plant engineer.
Stay calm Big-as my doc told me the pacemaker was not intended to restrict ones life but enable you to continue on just were you left off. To be honest with you minus the arc welding thing ( which I've never done) I have absolutely no restrictions at all. Sorry to be so long-you'll make it thru ok, no worries. Keep us posted.
Jonn

Questions

by ElectricFrank - 2009-01-06 11:01:49

One thing to think over before you go in.You may have a choice of either having it done with a local anesthesia and staying awake, or being completely out. There are pros and cons to both decisions.

Being out is easier during the surgery, but is likely to keep you in the hospital longer. It also puts you at the mercy of the OR staff who can neglect the effects of putting your body in positions that can cause neck and shoulder problems.

Being awake lets you take better care of yourself. During my surgery I had someone use my chest for an elbow rest until I asked him/her to move it. I also asked to have the straps loosened so I could move a bit. I don't know if it was the reason, but I had very little of the usual pain reported here post surgery. The main problem with being a wake is handling the experience. They can also give you an anti anxiety med that makes you forget. The downside with it is the same as for being out.

I'm not advocating for any particular approach. I do suggest preparing yourself for the decision before you have to make it.

best of luck,

frank





guess im a chicken

by walkerd - 2009-01-08 07:01:39

I didnt ask for either they did what ever they did, Im not sure but what ever they gave me i dont remeber a thing, as a matter fact i dont even remeber the doc coming in, I was a victom of miscommunication, went in doc wasnt supposed to be in until an hour later, the nurses kept me warm since er was like a freezer, woke up in room and all was done, stayed the 24 hours like i was told i would and went home. So i guess i was knocked out lol. but if asked i would have been that way anyways cause im a chicken. the basic thing is not to put your arm over your head and not to lift anything, so you dont dislogde the leads. My doc told me to wear the sling at bedtime and good idea to wear it if you go out because people are so rude anymore and dont care if they run into you, at least with the sling visable most watch what there doing, some are just inconciderate slobs and dont mater what they do. I had bypass in aug and that was a reason i didnt go out with the wife i was afraid of someone running into me. The surgery isnt really that much of a thing it wasnt for me, the biggest thing is to write down anything that is out of the norm, light headed, shortness of breath, high or low blood pressure, wieght gain within 24 hour period, anything but write it down i didnt then when i left omg i should have asked this or that. They can adjust pm to take care of some of the problems, it may take numerous times to get it right though, they have adjusted mine four times. Now most ok.
good luck
dave

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.