The Begining

The Beginning

On the 20th of April 2018 age 41 my life changed forever it was hard to come to terms with and I started writing this 2 weeks after so the reality is that I am still coming to terms with what I know, I already perceive that I will have to come to terms with things I don’t know yet (I know that sentence sounds rubbish, I know stephen Hawking could do a better job in explaining it but sadly he died about a week ago)

I thought I was Indestructible, strong, Healthy and fit, I had a great adventurous life but after being rushed to A&E and then transferred to a coronary care unit (CCU) for them to try and work out what was wrong and save my life.

12 days later I  was discharged with a defibrillator implanted into my chest, Heart Failure and a Disease that they did not have a cure for. It sounds pretty dramatic I know and I would be lying if it was not on my list of being “a tough week” but even though I was now walking across the hospital car park like an old man breathing hard along with a pain in my chest I kept thinking about the positives

1.) I came in on a stretcher and was leaving upright

2,) My darling wife had come to collect me (someone had to drive)

3.) I could die at any minute! (ok that’s not that positive but 2 out of 3 is pretty good also when you think about it ….I could die at any minute? Basically puts me in the same category as everyone else)

I was fitted with an ICD, 2 days ago have a wonderful wife and 3 young boys, if none of you mind I am going to post stuff up of how I cope what I do and more importantly how I survive! I have a lot to come to terms with and that is why I am here. I am sure I will need help and support. My only warning is that my sense of humour is not to everyones taste so all I can say is no offence is ever intended and I will be thinking deep and hard before hitting the post message box. thats my first post done, cheers Simon

5 Comments

On the bright side

by Gotrhythm - 2018-05-03 13:30:15

In my opinion, having realized you could die at any moment is a positive--albeit an umcomfortable one at first. It hasn't suddenly become true; it always was true. The difference is now you know it. And that's a Good Thing. Philosophers and sages of every culture agree that the sooner we confront the knowlege of our mortality, the better.

As Robin says, attitude has a lot to do with how long we live, and--I would add---everything to do with how well we live. It turns out that a lot of things in life are outside our control, but our attitude is always a choice, always up to us. 

I'm not saying coming to grips with a heart condition is easy. But it is a problem that comes to you with gifts in its hands. I have no idea what gifts you will find. I just know that with a positive attitude you will find them.

By all means exercise your sense of humor at every opportunity. Almost by definition, humor is perspective.

I feel you

by Nydrifter88 - 2018-05-03 20:10:09

I had a pacemaker put in on April 11th. I was in good health and very and ate decent. In January I had some fainting spells one happened at work and the other one happened while I was driving my van. Luckily no one was hurt. Went to the local ER they right away sent me to a larger hospital with a cardiac unit. Was in there for 3 days before the doctor walked in and said I needed a pacemaker and the surgery was going to be the next afternoon. I was in shock and very nervous, I have never had surgery before. It has not been easy but every day I see as a gift yet a mental challenge. Another day upright and verical is a good day. It sounds like you have a great family supporting you.

Post

by tommiker70 - 2018-05-06 20:11:22

Post away. I have had my pacemaker a little over two years. I do not post much. When I do it is for advice. Your post to my question did help me. So I look forward to your posts for the next twenty years. I am 72 now so I do not want to get to ambitious. You are free to go on posting for another fifty.

Tom

New device

by unsinkable - 2018-05-06 21:12:01

It's helpful to read about others experiences and what one can expect in terms of a future life with a pacemaker. I passed out at work, was rushed to the hospital where I experienced another two episodes. The implant surgery was done that afternoon so not much time to process or come to grips with what was happening. It's five weeks later and I am acutely aware of my device. Sleep is uncomfortable. I am trying not to think too much about it and get back into my normal routine. The cardiologist says that I have something called sick sinus syndrome. Would like to hear from anyone who suffers the same and how they are doing.

Comment to Unsinkable

by ToniB - 2018-05-17 00:20:46

You said you wanted to hear from anyone who has been diagnosed with Sick Sinus Syndrome and here I am.  I have had my pacemaker for three weeks and the entire episode came as a total surprise.  I clearly remember my first appointment with my Cardiologist and I calmly stated that I thought it was an exercise in caution.  My husband has serious cardiac problems and I am fairly familiar with all the tests, ejection fractions, nuclear stress tests and on and on and on.  Me?  Cardiac problems?  No way!  And, yet, here I am!  My heart rate was dropping to 25 on a routine basis with no symptoms.  I was just a little tired!  

I think all of us struggle a bit in the beginning, coming to terms with our new reality and the struggle to sleep comfortably doesn't help.  But we are alive!  We have all been given a gift and I treasure that gift even if it still hurts a little.  

Ask what you wwant about SSS.  I may or may not be able to answer a question but I definitely empathize!  

You know you're wired when...

You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker since 2002 and ever since then my life has been a total blessing.