My new pacemaker

I understand

by Good Dog - 2016-12-26 17:39:02

I understand how you feel about the need for a PM. We all feel the way you do at first. I have had mine for 30 years so I can tell you with confidence that that you can rest assured it will not diminish your quality of life. Quite the contrary, it only gets better and better. I saw that you posted a year ago with problems, so you have been going through much for a long time. Frankly, this could be the end of your troubles. While you may need some minor adjustments, your life should not only be long and happy, but trouble-free. 

As I said, I have had mine for 30 years and my life has been completely normal in every way. There is no reason that your life cannot be the same. Aside from routine checks every 3-6 months (that take only a couple of minutes) and a battery change every 10 years, you are no different than anyone else. I have learned that there is nothing I cannot do.

So cheer-up and start enjoying your life. Just try to forget you have a PM and get on with it.

Sincerely,

David 

Pacemaker Newbie

by Ileen - 2016-12-26 19:43:37

Grace, listen to Good Dog, David, I am learning too. I got mine 6 days ago. Also really upset by this. But, trying to get over it! He is wise as lots of folks on here. I have only my hubby and am 64 but was pretty active. I had a knee replacement in July, so was just really getting back to moving and not going to rehab ( hurt my back to) then, bam, pacemaker. I am just trying to cope with not being able to do much for a few weeks! ( Darn!!!) but am looking forward to swimming, and biking and walking ( only to shop, other knee is bad! haha!) Many people on here to listen to you and help. I hope I reassured you some. PM me any time! We newbies have to stick togeether. Hugs, Ileen

It's what you make it

by Gotrhythm - 2016-12-26 20:21:54

I know you feel like a pacemaker is something you didn't bargain for, but it's important to realize having a pacemaker is not the problem. Your heart condition neccessitating the pacemaker--that's the problem. The pacemaker is the solution. 

Once you are healed up, the PM will not place any restrictions on you. Complications are extremely rare. Soon you'll realize you don't have to worry about your heart speeding out of control and/or stopping. You'll probably find you are freeer than before, and very possibly you will feel better than you've felt in a long time.

I think the sheer surprise of getting a PM is what many of us struggle with at first. It feels like life has been thrown off course, but it hasn't.We still have the same hopes, challenges, fears, joys. Life was what you made it before the PM, and it's what you make it now.

Thank you!

by Grace - 2016-12-26 20:24:04

Thank you so very much for commenting. I'm praying to God that I get out of this sadness so that I can help others in the future. I know God works in a divine way and He knows exactly what's next! 😊

Blessings My New Pacemaker Family! 😍

It does get better

by Lisalac - 2016-12-26 23:00:22

Hi Grace I got mine on December 1 one year ago and I feel amazing. It was a shock to have to get one after all I was marathon and 1/2 marathon runner in very good shape and only 44. I struggled for the first few months to get the settings right, heal up and just feeling sorry for myself. This past year I have ran 2 1/2 marathons and many many training miles. 2017 will get me back into marathons. I am more cautious, eat better, sleep better but my life carries on better than it did before the unexpected addition of my pacemaker.

take care and I hope 2017 brings you lots of positive things!

Lisa

Hi Grace!

by hypersonic14 - 2016-12-27 00:02:43

Listen to these folks, they know what they are talking about. After you recover from your surgery you will feel great and your life will be amazing. I had  my pacemaker installed in September, 2016, and I am much better. You will be too!

Every new day will be better than yesterday. Take care, stay calm, talk with God. 

Floyd

Appreciate

by Grace - 2016-12-27 00:23:54

I truly appreciate you sharing your experience. I'm a strong woman! I'll get out of this With God, my family, friends and you're support. I'm so glad  I joined the club!

Blessings and Much Love!❤

Easy

by Flor 1 - 2016-12-27 08:57:08

Pacemaker was easy I had the same apprehension that you are having. After a couple of months you'll forget about even having one. I just found out a couple of ekes ago I have to have a aortic heart valve replacement that's got me a little jumpy though.

back to a normal life

by Tracey_E - 2016-12-27 10:13:59

It's a shame they didn't discuss it with you as an option so you had some advance warning! Not that it's ever easy to accept, it's a blow regardless so cut yourself some slack. It takes some time to heal physically as well as emotionally. 

I'm the same age as you, also healthy and active. I got my first pacer at 27. I hike or ski every vacation, kayak and zipline every chance I get, was at Crossfit class this morning before the sun came up. As soon as I get off the computer, my daughter and I are off to get fabric to make our costumes for our first Disney half marathon. No one looks at me and sees a heart patient and there's never once been something I wanted to do that I could not because of the pacer.  I've always felt blessed that my problem has a fix, many are not so fortunate. It's not ideal and no one would choose it, but this cool little hunk of titanium gives us our lives back. If you ever want to chat, feel free to private message me. 

My new pacemaker by Grace

by Acadiana - 2016-12-28 18:10:54

Bonjour! Grace - I know how you feel as it was a total shock when I learned I needed a permanent pacemaker following open-heart surgery on Sept. 28, 2016. I had a temporary pacemaker due to heart block during the surgery and a permanent one was implanted on day 8 (I had not left the hospital). The surgery consisted of replacing the aortic valve with bovine tissue (I had a bicuspid aortic valve), as well as replacing the ascending aorta (due to aneurysm) with homograft tissue. I was not made aware of possible complications (especially in my case, with two procedures). Although you and I (and others, I’m sure) feel that we should have been told that a pacemaker was a possibility following a complication during surgery, in a way it's probably better that we didn't know as it would have created extra worries. When I had the pacemaker programmed a month and a half after the surgery, I was told I had atrial fibrillation (it was the first time this was ever mentioned to me). This could be as a result of the surgery, so time will tell if it is permanent or not. I recovered very quickly from the open-heart surgery and attribute this to taking special care of my health for close to 40 years. As for the pacemaker, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. Since I’m a tiny woman, it’s very visible and it keeps poking me when I cross my arm or move it a certain way! I know that in due time I will appreciate the benefits of having a pacemaker. Good luck, Grace, and wishing you good health in 2017!