Not replacing the battery

My father is 85 years old, has a slight case of diabeties, can barely walk and has problems with circulation in his feet. He has decided not to have his pacemaker battery changed. At this date he has "10" days left on his battery. This number is based on our last visit (May 2, 2009) to the cardio doctor and the tech said he had 89 days of battery life. His cardio dr was very supportive of his decision, however his primary dr tried to get him to talk to more people including his priest. As a family we support his decision.My wife and I have been his caretaker since my mother died 6 years ago. Since this decision was made I(we) get him up from bed in the morning, help with his shower, clean his bed (he is incontinent) and get him ready for breakfast. He was told that his heart is being kept going 100% by the pacemaker. In the past few months the only thing I have noticed is he is breathing harder in the morning. We are not sure how much longer the battery will have life after the 90 day lifespan...time will tell.

6 Comments

When it's time...

by chip - 2009-04-21 02:04:14

I applaud your courage.

Many people have trouble when the end nears. I used to but changed my thinking when I was so very ill.

I was in ICU on a ventilator and very near death. The only thing I could think of was how selfish it would be for me to die and cause my family so much grief.

My wife said the kindest thing to me one afternoon that anyone has ever said. She told me “You can go if you feel it’s time. I’ll be okay.”

I remember hearing those words and feeling so much relief.

As you can tell I didn’t die but learned that death and letting go are sometimes the kindest act a person can perform.

God Bless

Pacemaker Replacement

by SMITTY - 2009-04-21 03:04:28

Hi Tom,

How long he will live is impossible to say. Also, determining the remaining life of a pacemaker battery is not an exact science. So his may have just a few days or it could be several months.
Pacemaker batteries are designed to become depleted in a slow and predictable fashion. When followed over the telephone, the steady decline in energy can be followed. When the battery is low but still has significant power left, the pacemaker will still work just fine, but give indications (peculiar to each manufacturer and model) that the time for replacement is nearing. When the ERI (elective replacement interval) is reached, plans can be made for changing the battery at a date convenient for the patient and the surgeon.


Even beyond the ERI, pacemakers can continue to pace for a long time, and do not simply stop emitting electrical energy suddenly or unexpectedly.

So while I can understand your father's not wanting to have the battery replaced, I would encourage him to get the new pacemaker. The pacemaker is not likely to extend his life for any great amount of time, but it can provide him a better quality of life for what he has left. A quality that may be less painful to you and your family than watching him slowly die in dreadful pain as some body organs shut down due to the heart's inability to pump sufficient blood to keep everything working as it should.

Of course you have to respect his wishes, but if he insists on not having the pacemaker changed out (batteries cannot be replace) you may want to start considering a hospice for him to spend his final days, as they are almost a certainty to be much better prepared to care for him than you can in those final days.

I wish your father the best,

Smitty

Letting go

by pacergirl - 2009-04-21 09:04:59

Hi Tom,
please check your personal messages.
Pacergirl

yes

by jessie - 2009-04-21 10:04:49

there is no way of knowing exactly what day. when the battery gives out i believe it is gradually. it is because in the a.m. he is exerting energy to get up and get going and it is probably why he is short of breath. he also may have congestive heart failure. so good luck. you may ned more help towards the end. e.g. hospital nsg home???good luck. you are both to be admired for taking care of family lots won't. jessie

Please replace the old pacemaker

by swetalvora - 2009-04-22 08:04:33


TOM,

While I appreciate the love and respect you have for your father, I dont think there is any sanity in not replacing the Pacemaker.

Let me tell you that Pacemaker replacement is not a lengthy process (like the Pacemaker Implant that he had undergone few years back). That's because the docs will most probably not change the leads (you may specifically even instruct them to keep the same leads).. Thus, they will only make a small pocket, take out the old generator and put a new one.

It is hardly 5-10 minute process. Honestly, it is like an out patient procedure only. But it has to be done in the Operation theatre only because of the sterility concerns.

As smitty said, it cannot improve the length of his life but highly improve the quality of it.

Ask him to read this and convince him. This is going to greatly improve his quality of life.

Regards,

SWETAL VORA

Great respect

by Angelie - 2009-04-23 02:04:29

I have great respect for caregivers in any aspect. It's hard work mentally and physically. I know first hand from my 10 year nursing aide experience. Those days were the hardest I've ever worked, but the most rewarding, and challenging.
One also has to respect end of life decisions and wishes of those that they are caring for.
I certainly hope that you disregard Swetal Vora's comment, as clearly he/she does not understand the full capacity of your post. For that, I apologize on their behalf. It grieves me to think that people really think that they can sway people's end of life issues by trying to convince them that pacemakers will improve their quality of life.
For whatever reason, your father has chosen not to replace his pacemaker. At 85, I should think he's wise enough to know the difference between life with and without a device. It's the individual's decision and shouldn't by any means be challenged by anyone on a website that doesn't know you personally.

I shall hope for strength, wisdom, courage, comfort, and peace to fill your household in the coming days.

Angelie

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