Prayers for strength please...

The wife and I are leaving So.West. Indiana at 2pm this afternoon for Indy and my pacemaker implantation tomorrow. I don't do well (nerves) around doctors and hospitals, haven't been admitted in 35 years.

I'd like to ask for your prayers for strength and calm and of course for the doctor. There seem to be so many nice caring people on this site, I hope I can help others as so many of you do.

I hit the gym (normally am there 5 days a week) last night and did my last military press for a long time, or ever. I'll be glad when its over and am looking forward to not feeling so bad all the time. I guess I'll have to wear a sling afterward when I'm around my 2 three year old grandsons so they'll understand why I'm not throwing them up in the air.

Thanks to everybody out there for your help and prayers.

Terry

15 Comments

Hang in Terry

by qwerty - 2010-02-09 01:02:19

I got my PM 2 weeks ago. So I am a newbie... But I know how you feel about hospitals. I always had a feeling if I ever was admitted, I would never walk out. I know that isn't rational, but I do know how you feel.
The day before I got mine, my hubby took me to the casinos near by and we had a great meal and went on a 2 mile nature hike, and I got really tired and so I was able to sleep the night before. Friends met us at the hospital that I had not seen in a while and I really didn't have that much time to think about it.
As for your grandsons, you are blessed. They will understand and I know they would rather have you with them and feeling good for a lot longer than worrying about whether they can play today. Kids understand more than you think.
I will be thinking about you. Be sure and post when you get back and tell us how great you feel and that it was a lot easier than you anticipated. And,,, Relax. It really wasn't that bad!

Good Luck

by paulb - 2010-02-09 01:02:26

Goodluck and God Bless. My PM surgery is tomorrow too :) we will be going through it together. You will be great and the surgery will go great too. I will keep you in my prayers.

prayers your way

by breezy - 2010-02-09 01:02:32

Many prayers and positive thoughts to you
I had my PM implanted 10/19/2009
it will all be fine for you :)
Blessings
breezy

Good luck!

by nat36 - 2010-02-09 02:02:05

Everything will be fine and the surgery is pretty fast. You are in and out before you know it. I will be thinking good thoughts for you! Let us know when you are home!
Good luck!!

Good Luck

by 19SRN52 - 2010-02-09 02:02:14

I just got my pacemaker/defibullator Jan. 6th, 2010. Still getting used to it. The surgery isn't that bad. Takes time to heal afterwards. Hope all goes well for you. Susan

good luck...

by Pookie - 2010-02-09 02:02:45

I know exactly how you feel. I'm a nervous wreck today. I'm having surgery tomorrow at 9am (not heart related) and one would think I'm a pro at this as I've had 9 surgeries so far in my life, 5 of which were for my pacemaker, but this one got me nervous for whatever reason. I've never been nervous before. Never.

When I'm in the waiting room before going in for my surgery, I'll be thinking of you and Paul B for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think qwerty's idea of keeping busy both physically and mentally is a great one.

One good thing about tomorrow: I'm the first one scheduled so I don't have to go hungry all day. I stop eating at midnight tonight and can have all my usual meds prior to surgery with just a bit of water. I'll be up at the crack of dawn as I have to be at the hospital for 6:45am.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Pookie

You will be fine

by mick2203 - 2010-02-09 04:02:13

I went through over 50 years thinking I was invincible and then bang I find myself needing a PM, unbelievable that it could happen to me. Anyway you heard from Pookie that she got through 5 surgeries 4 of them in 10 days. I had 3 in 7 days in December 09 and whilst I was naturally quite nervous I realised after the first event the Dr's and assistants doing the work are generally well practiced and appreciative of your anxiety and what you are anxious about they are experts in dealing with. You will be fine, best wishes. Mick

Fellow Hoosier

by mike thurston - 2010-02-09 04:02:52

Hey Hoosier Good Luck. I am a Hoosier from Washington, IN. Had my PM/ICD for almost 3 years now. Got Grand Kids crawling on me all the time - they have a nack for hitting my PM but I have a knack for blocking their blows - you will too. Best wishes.
Mike

Prayers

by mhil - 2010-02-09 05:02:20

Prayers for all of you with surgeries tomorrow.
PaulB...you have had a rough time, but the worst one is over...the bone marrow biopsy...after that anything will be a cake walk!
But, especially for you, Terry since you have reached out for support.
You are young and strong. You will be fine. The surgery does not take long. We are lucky there is such a "gadget" as pacemaker to correct some problems.
Just remember to keep your left arm in a sling for a while, until you heal.
If not press, I don't know, I am sure there are other activities for you to keep your fitness level.
Good luck.

God Bless All ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-02-09 06:02:04

All of our prayers are with all of you tomorrow and during your recoveries. You'll are Blessed with friends.

Hoosier, the PM implant is a "piece of cake". You will come out and be a lil' sore in/around the incision site and may even need a pain pill to sleep for a couple of nights. My cardio Dr., hospital and GP said NOT to wear a sling on your arm more than just a few hours, if at all, because not letting the whole arm move would cause the shoulder to "freeze" and not work anymore. My cardio. Dr. took my sling off the op. nurses put on me post-op & told me the only thing it was good for was a souvenier! I have met people who wore the sling and/or did not move the arm on the side of the PM implant and they are having to go through re-hab to re-work and get their shoulder working again. What a drag!

Just remember not to lift for 6-8 weeks over a few pounds and not to raise the arm on your PM implant side up over your heart for the same amount of time. You do not want to pull the leads out.

It had been 40 years since I was admitted to the hospital last year with a blood clot in my right leg ~ things have sure changed ~ all except the sorry food!

Let us hear from you'll, Carolyn G. in TEXAS ( :

From another Hoosier

by lenora - 2010-02-09 06:02:43

You are certainly in my prayers for strength and calm for tomorrow Terry. You'll do just fine! I'm from Indianapolis BTW. I haven't lived there in many years but I'm still a Hoosier in my heart and soul. Will be thinking of you. Lenora

You have my prayers...

by DanaT - 2010-02-09 07:02:07

I will say a prayer for you Hoosier. Please let us know how it goes. My "lucky day" is the 25th.

Dana

Prayers

by ejones10 - 2010-02-09 07:02:50

Terry......My thoughts and prayers are with you. My pacemaker was implanted on 12/23/09 and I didn't have a lot of time to think much about it. I pray that all goes well for you tomorrow.

Best wishes to everyone else having surgery tomorrow.

Earnestine

Prayers comin' your way

by JulieH - 2010-02-10 02:02:53

Hi Terry - I had my PM put in on Jan 20th, just three weeks ago, and I can tell you that, like so many here who have had PMs put in, I feel better than I have in years.

Prayers to you, your wife, you doctor, and all involved in your pacemaker procedure. You will be fine and, when it's all done, you'll feel better and better each day. My heart rate had dropped to 14 beats per minute before my pacemaker operation but I'd asked God to keep me safe and alive and to give my dear husband strength and peace.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Hugs, Julie

Just A Bit North

by richan - 2010-02-10 02:02:56

Hi Terry,
All of us who have these kinds of devises have you in our thoughts. I can tell you that both my original (2005) and my replacement (Jan 2010) were really a piece of cake. I'm a bit sore at the moment but have gotten back into my routines. You will have to wait a bit for the lead(s) to scar in place. Those movement kinds of restrictions can be frustrating.
Having the PM will make a difference for you.

Our arms are around you,

Richan

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Member Quotes

I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.