What is it like for those who don't know we exist?

• by donr
• 2018-03-25 16:31:00
• Coping
• 1302 views
• 3 comments

Interesting questiion, stimulated by PM Writer & his poll.

My MD daughter has at least half a dozen PM hosts & one ICD Host in our 950+ patient panel.

The ICD host suffered at least 3 SCA's when he came into her ER several yrs ago.  50 + miles from the nearest hosp that can handle a major MCI, she saved his life three times & got him there in time for appropriate care.  Used Chopper medevac.  Point  being that if you get to an ER soon enough, if the ER has the propper approach toward "stbilize & transport," even this type event can be survived.  Army Vet; plays golf EVERY Fri, year round in southern Mississippi. Works full time as a Med products drummer.  Never thinks twice about having the ICD. Happy as a clam with it.  All the others are likewise pleased w/ their PM's.  No mental issues with the devices that they have mentioned  None appear to have financial issues.  Most are disability retired; none are what you would call upper class."  Not all are insured.  Just normal, everyday Americans.  None of them have ever heard of the PMC.  Got the device, went home & back to what they call normalcy.  We have a teenage girl who is potentially facing a PM.  In monitor wearing stage now.  Daughter diagnosed her & sent her to peds Cardio.  Should be finishing up her "Holter" stage any day now.  She is facing it calmly & optomistically.  No hand-wringing, no angst.  Curious as to what will come out of situation.

Sort of confirms what we say about the rest of the world.  That we get all the folks who have problems - but that's what we are here for, isn't it?  So we are skewed toward that kind of host - one that needs a port in a storm.  Would not have it any other way!

BTW:  the Holter is obsolete.  there are at LEAST two solid state monitors on the market for  running 14 day programs that essentiaslly have solid state guts quite similar to a PM.  About the size & shape of a large buttterfly.  Waterproof, sticks to chest over spot where a PM will go.  All leads are waterproof & has superb adhesive for holding in place.  Much more reliable.  Generates a 15-20 page report w/ all sorts of charts & analysis.  Communicates w/you through a cell phone connection.  Senses something, calls you & you push button, sending or recording data, depending seriousness of data.  No lead problems or adhesive pad problems.  We will be getting them as soon as I can find the signature page for Daughter to sign.  No longer waiting for a Holter to become available.  We will keep a stock of a few in office.  Patient needs it, pick one out of closet, paste it on them & send them off, singing.  We have a backlog of potential users. Right now.  Also have a potential Sleep study take-home device.  Supposedly getting one soon.  Cheaper than in house study, much faster.

Cheers.

Donr