Pacemaker Party

Well it's been a long road. Seven years trying drugs only to have them fail. I tried Tikosyn last week and before I even left the hospital, it stopped working. I now have a pacemaker that was implanted last week.
It was a blast. I requested that they not sedate me so I was awake for the entire procedure. We laughed, and joked, and jammed to my doc's IPod. We made many funny references to Monty Python. After they wheeled me back to my room, I had felt as if I had just been to a party. I know this sounds strange, but it was a night I will never forget, and a wonderful time. I figured it was a life changing moment and I might as well bring it on with a bang. So we did.

4 Comments

BEST POST EVER!

by chiliman - 2008-08-21 03:08:35

What a great story!

Too bad it wasn't video'd as it would be a great youtube addition.

I love your spirit and positive energy; everybody should read this and hopefully will!

Randy

Monty Python

by ElectricFrank - 2008-08-22 11:08:14

One of my favorite MP skits was the Street Climbers.

Most people don't realize how attitude can change the experience of surgery. Back in 1984 I had back surgery and was told to expect a couple of days of "injectable pain". I remember waking up in recovery and hearing all the moaning and groaning around me. A nurse came by and I ask her if the surgery was over. She was startled that I was awake. She said something about my being in pain and would get me a shot. I tried to tell her in my funny confused voice that I didn't need a shot. She insisted that I take it for her comfort and I told her to turn around and bare her butt and I would give it to her. Later I found out that this was all over the hospital. As it turned out I was up and walking around the hospital that afternoon. Never did need a pain shot. One thing that really helped was asking the surgeon if I could injure anything by getting active and he said as long I didn't start lifting weights there wasn't any problem.

I may be needing some work on another disk soon and I'm not particularly concerned about it. I've been looking into the laproscopic surgery that can be done under a local. I'd just as soon be awake.

By the way is Ya'll. British????

frank

frank

It was a great time

by Angelie - 2008-08-22 11:08:51

As soon as they got the drapes off from me, I said in my best british accent, "Ah, it's just a flesh wound." We couldn't stop laughing after that. And then came the references to coconuts and the Knights that go Nee. It was a great time. I'll probably never have another operation that was so fun. I'm 33, and have tried every drug known to man. A pacer has loomed in my future for quite some time, but it helped finding this sight for support. Finding this site has helped me realize even before I got my pacemaker inserted that it's not the end of the world, but the BEGINNING. That's why I chose to start it off with a BANG and celebration.
I love this site, Ya'll.
Angelie

Fellow traveler

by ElectricFrank - 2008-08-22 12:08:55

Glad to hear someone else did it that way. It is so much easier. No anesthesia to wear off. Able to move limbs a bit and not be so sore the next day. Never thought of making a Monty Python out of it. They are one of my favorites.

Did you notice it when they turned the pacer on? With my AV block my HR went from about 35 up to 75 and I felt great. I'll take a pacer over drugs any day.

frank

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