Getting Ready for Surgery

Hi all
I was just told on Friday, I need to have a pacemaker, totally unexpected and I am scheduled for surgery this week! I live in Brisbane Australia, and am a 45 yr old female. I'm feeling very nervous and I am still in shock from this news from the cardiologist.

About 18 months ago while flying on a plane to NZ, I had what was diagnosed at the time as a vasal vagal episode. I passed out and seizured for about 2 minutes but my husband said he thought I had died. Apart from an EEG requested by a doctor, to make sure I didn't have epilepsy, it was never followed up further.

Recently, I have been feeling dizzy for the last few months while walking and feeling like I am going to fall over. I went to the doctor who referred me to a neurologist where I had a barrage of tests, MRI, CAT scan that all came back normal. He finally referred me to a cardiologist after hearing my irregular heartbeat.

I had been starting to think tat maybe the dizziness was just caused by my reading glasses and working on computers to much (I work in an IT role) , so I was never really expecting anything further. The cardiologist did a carotid massage and managed to stop my heart for 4 seconds until he made me cough hard to restart my heart and immediately told me I needed a pacemaker. He then asked me about my near death experience on the plane and asked if I saw angels! How reassuring....

It has been great to find this site and read all your experiences and know that I can chat here with people who have all been through this. I hope to contribute posts here of my experience.

Over the next few days I will try and educate myself about what is going to happen at surgery and afterwards but if anyone can give me any tips or information that might assist, I will be very grateful!

Wish me luck!


5 Comments

Welcome to the club!

by Gonnie - 2008-09-28 11:09:44

I'm relatively new to all this too! Received my ICD/PM on July 22 and like you, it was a total surprise. I'm coming to terms with this new twist in my life & you will too. This is a great place to learn from the pros, so to speak, and you will find there's somebody around who knows just what you're asking about so ask away! Your experience on the plane sounds scary! Your poor husband! It's truly a learning experience and I would encourage his involvement each step of the way. My husband seems to catch things in conversations with the doc that I might miss so I'm always glad to have him there. Please check back & let us know how you're getting along! BTW we've named my device Sparky...

Hi from another aussie

by busby - 2008-09-28 11:09:54

Hi Kiwi,
Just wanted to say hello. I live just south of the Queensland border, near Byron Bay. Have had a pacemaker for over 5 years now. It started when I was about your age with fainting and, what I now think was a near death experience, with cracking my head open after hitting the flooor while fainting. It wasn't until 3 yrs later that an attack was caught in emergency while attached to an ECG that showed my heart was stopping for almost a minute. Got the pacemaker put in at John Flynn hospital on the Gold Coast. Would hate to think what might have happened if I was driving at the time. I have had a few minor problems since, but no more faints. I can go to the gym and live quite an active life. Hope all goes well with you.
Robin

Sites of interest..

by pacepal - 2008-09-29 08:09:45


Hi Kiwi,
Welcome to the Club...you will find many informed & caring friends that are always available to share your journey with you. Here you will be able to find answers & helpful solutions for whatever concerns you encounter. I have included a couple of links you may be interested in checking for basic procedure information:

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pace/pace_howdoes.htm

http://stdavids.com/ebsco.aspx?chunkiid=14850l

Best Wishes & support coming your way...Karen

Thanks for your encouraging comments

by kiwi - 2008-09-29 12:09:00

Thanks so much for all your comments - they really do help with the way I am feeling with the anxiety now. I have learnt such alot from just reading the comments here and it really goes along way to understanding what will be happening over the coming weeks/months and preparing this.

Love the names you are calling your devices LOL. I have put some thought into this and am thinking I will call mine Elmo B)

Thanks all

welcome!

by Tracey_E - 2008-10-01 10:10:30

I'm more surprised that they didn't send you to a cardiologist sooner than that you need a pm! Good luck with your surgery, wishing you a rapid recovery and return to feeling your old self!

I'm 42 and on pm #4. If you have questions about surgery, recovery, or living with a pm when you're young and active, please don't be shy!

You know you're wired when...

You’re officially battery-operated.

Member Quotes

Your anxiety is normal. It takes some of us a little time to adjust to the new friend. As much as they love you, family and friends without a device just cannot understand the adjustment we go through. That is why this site is so valuable.