be well

Hi everyone.
I am 18 years old. I was born with third degree congenital heartblock with a resting heart rate of about 30 bpm. I was implanted with my first pacemaker when I was 8 days old. At the time I was the youngest person ever to have a pacemaker device implanted. This was in 1992. I have had my pacemaker changed three times, once when I was 2 because of a broken lead, once in 3rd grade because of a drained battery, and again in 9th grade again from a drained battery. My pacer is active 100% of the time. I don't really need support because I am comfortable and even embrace my situation, but after looking and seeing some of the people posting in it seeming down about having a pacemaker I was compelled to post. I live and have lived a completely normal, functional life despite having my pacemaker. All most all of the time I forget that it is even there, except when going through airport security and watching my friends play contact sports. I just want everyone out there in this forum to know that although having a pacemaker is a big deal, it is by no means the end to a normal life. Maybe my view is skewed because I have never known life without a pacemaker, but the life I have always known has made me happy, even proud, to own one. The quality of life, and the life itself, that the pacemaker has given me renders me thankful everday that the little bugger is inside me. I just want everyone out there who is scared or sad to never give up hope, and always look on the brightside, because no matter what you think, the brightside is always there.

Stay well.

6 Comments

Nice to hear

by Chrissie2116 - 2010-04-22 02:04:23

Thanks for sharing this beautiful message with us.
Sunny regards from Paris,
Chrissie

welcome!

by Tracey_E - 2010-04-22 07:04:50

Thanks for saying hi! I love your sunny attitude.

Those of us born with problems, I think, have an advantage since we never get that shocking news to deal with, it's all we know. I was 9 or 10 before I figured out everyone didn't have a special heart and get to miss school for the cardiologist. My parents never treated me like I was fragile or different so it never occurred to me that I might be. I consider myself blessed to have a problem that can be fixed.

mcurtis

by LS - 2010-04-22 08:04:10

What a wonderful post!
TY for taking the time to write that & help many folks that might be reading today.
Wishing you many blessings & good health!
Liz

Thank Yo for your post

by heartu - 2010-04-22 08:04:37

Your post can be referenced to any health issue that sidelines us. My brother (61) was born almost totally deaf (wears hearing aids in both ears) and has had no problems living a normal life. No one has ever treated him differently because of it. Sometimes we may get some pretty funny answers to our questions, but he has never known a life with a lot of noise and other sounds.

I really did not have a problem accepting the fact that I needed a pacemaker because I think I have learned from my brother, that people are pretty resilient (when they want to be) and can overcome any obstacle that comes their way (if they want to).

Thanks again!!

Thanks

by qwerty - 2010-04-22 09:04:52

Yes, a lot of people here seem to have a lot of problems. Thanks for letting those who read know there are "success" stories. It seems that more people who have problems and are looking for answers seem to find this board, but we welcome those that do not have problems. You are an inspiration to all.

Thanks for posting.

Thank you

by wenditt - 2010-04-22 10:04:25

I hope that I can embrace your perspective very very soon! Thanks for the uplift!

Wenditt

You know you're wired when...

Your device acts like a police scanner.

Member Quotes

It's much better to live with a pacemaker than to risk your life without one.