Snow shovelling...

You guys who live in the sunny south will without a doubt never have to worry about the answer to this question - but; we here in the great country of Canada definitely do. How many people with pm's shovel, and how do you feel after?

Keep smiling all & Merry Christmas....

9 Comments

carlfs

by carlfs - 2007-12-21 03:12:06

My pacemaker (2 lead) installed 21 weeks ago, and
have shoveled (lots of snow in NH) lightly, and not too
strenuously.tiring, but seems to be ok, if don't overdoe.

Snow Shovelling

by GrandmaD - 2007-12-21 03:12:06

I shovel every time it needs to be done (a corner lot in an older neighborhood of Edmonton). I won't say it's fun, and I can't do it in one shot, but as long as I take it easy I'm fine.

Hope all is well and Merry christmas to you and yours.
Debera

carls

by carlfs - 2007-12-21 03:12:57

opps --- two weeks ago, not 21.

Snow?

by hooimom - 2007-12-21 04:12:24

I am not even going to complain that it is 80 degrees here today! This post makes me happy I live in Florida.

Michelle

shovelling

by Blueaustralia - 2007-12-21 06:12:34

I find that shovelling like all actions in bending over, eg mopping floors, vacuuming etc leave me funny in the chest. It really takes it out of me. Digging in the garden does the same. People think we are 100 percent again after a pacemaker but we do have limitations. My family can be pretty hard headed in what they expect from me as I was so active. I find I have to remind them. It doesn't make me feel any better to have to do so. I just say now: "I can't do it." If they can't accept that then that is their problem. All the best Billie

Just a comment to the above....

by Suzzy - 2007-12-21 06:12:48

I find the comments above intersting....first to Michelle...I am sure we here in Edmonton and all parts of Canada would be more then willing to send you and your state snow and lots of it! ...lol! As for GrandmaD, and carfs....I have to shovel snow at work (its part of the team expectation), and we have lots! I work out of a house, and we have lots to shovel (a back deck, three sets of stairs, sidewalks both front and back, city sidewalk, and our neighbours). It's alot, and I find that it is quite draining even to do just a little. I have found that just shovelling the stairs alone makes my left arm hurt, where my pm is irritated, and just overall tired. It has gotten to the point where I have to rest for a good 30 minutes for the feeling of hurt and irritation to subside. Sometimes the "team" does not do their part, and just to let it go for a day can make it twice as hard to do (I hope that makes sense). I have told the Team Leader, that I am more then willing to do my share with limits, and when I have to quit, I have to do just that - quit! I think part of the problem is that some people do not understand that their are certain things that we should not be doing...(or they are just lazy). In saying that though, it must be noted that I have had a heart condition since birth, and I know my limits. I am not the type to say, I cannot do it just to get out of it. I cannot help but wonder if I am setting myself up for a heart attack when the pain & irritation start.

snowstorm

by jessie - 2007-12-21 10:12:59

we just had 2 feet of snow dumped on us last weekend. my husband had bi-pass sept 12th so he can't shovel. our neighbour has a snow blower and he dug us out twice as the blizzard went on for a day and night. i could shovel light snow on the walkway. i remember one of the anesthesielogists dropping dead after shovelling heavy snow so no i would not risk it. hope this helps. some common sense. jessie

Shoveling

by janetinak - 2007-12-22 04:12:59

I got short of breath when I tried to get the berm out of my driveway last year. For those, in FL & elsewhere that is what the city pushes back into your driveway after you get it cleared out. They push it back in when they clean it off the street. Some places are lucky & have a service for seniors or disabled to use a pick-up plow to clear your driveway. Unhappily as I live about 15 miles away from downtown, I do not qualify for this (even tho I am both a senior & somewhat disabled with PM & two new knees). You may check with your city/county to see if this is available where you live. Or do what I do, keep some kids under contract to clean you after the storm & get a 4 wheel drive to go thru/over the berms. Works for me. Good luck.

Janet in Alaska

No Problem

by ElectricFrank - 2007-12-23 01:12:34

Suzzy,
It doesn't bother me at all to watch you folk on TV shoveling snow. It does't even get me breathing fast!
Have an enjoyable holiday season.

frank

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.