Having my first pacemaker implant on thursday

Hi, I'm having my first pacemaker implant on Thursday June3rd and of course's a bit nervous. I'm having it done at Loyola in Maywood, IL. Any one have one there? Concerned of course about recovery and having 3 kids to take care of yet..Been reading lots about the surgery, some super scary some no big deals. LOL concerned about bras but have read several posts already and may be heading to the bra specialty shop soon. thinkI will rely on my tummy hiding tanks for a while :o)
just looking for support and not just for the girls haha

Pam

13 Comments

Thurs.

by sugar - 2010-06-01 06:06:28

I would just say that not getting out of bed for a woman - for a 12 hr. period of time, make sure they put in a Cath. because it gets serious and nurses are not willing to help much and you are supposed to lay flat only. Not possible if a bed pan is used.
Don't worry about the bra till it is over and you can decide what your options really are.
Good Luck, Sugar/Patty

Dear Pam and the girls!

by Loopy Lou - 2010-06-01 06:06:49

Hey Pam! Welcome to our super club!

I am a mum of 45 with 2 children, 10 and 13. In 2008 I was diagnosed as having heart block and within 2 weeks had a rushed operation to have Gerry the Pacemaker fitted. I had a very low pulse of 35bpm and dropping.

Please do not worry about scary stories...... we are here to put your mind at rest! You will have lots of replies from our usual suspects! all are lovely on here. Regarding bra straps, well, you can make your own padding and velcro it around your bra strap - or if you are smaller like me, go natural!

I am going to pass the baton over to some of the others now..... you will find in this club, that we are always there for each other, in sad times and in fun times. You will see us Pacer Chicks having a fun time - discussing things that have nothing to do with our hearts! it can get very fun and crazy in here.....! but they say... laughter is the best medicine. You will find those who can offer so much advice that you will be going to see your doctor with lots of notes that you may not have thought about asking.

Take care, and see you in here again soon. You will be fine! Trust me! If I can go through it anyone can!! :9)

Love & Fluffy Hugs, Loopy Lou (UK) xxxxxxxx

You'll do fine......

by sewnjoy - 2010-06-01 07:06:08

I had my PM implanted 3 weeks ago! No Cath.! In fact they used a wheel chair to take me to my room. I was able get up on my own power to use the potty shortly after the surgery. I felt fine, not dizzy or anything. Just had to watch how I used my left arm. Do the exercises they want you to do....very important!!! I only took reg. tylenol for pain for a couple of days after the surgery.

About the bra....after the bandage was off, I used a gauze patch under the bra strap & that helped tremendously! I didn't tape it down or sew anything to the bra strap, it just stayed put under the strap.

You'll do just fine! I did & I was really nervous about the surgery, too! Take Care!
sewnjoy

Hello Pam

by pacergirl - 2010-06-01 11:06:24

Welcome to the Pacemaker Club. :-) I have read the post above and there is some very good advice. I wore strapless bras until I was heal and them I wore whatever I liked. I would like to add that I used a padding under the seatbelt in my car for awhile when I drove. Of course when I was a passenger it didn't matter.

I expect that you are going to be able to keep up with your children much better because you probably have some renewed energy!

I will be thinking of you on Thursday, I will also be looking for you online perhaps on Friday.

Take care and welcome :-)
Pacergirl

Welcome ...

by qwerty - 2010-06-02 03:06:05

Keep us posted. You will be fine. Just remember to give yourself time to heal. Let those kids baby mom for a little while. The bra is a challenge for some of us who have been well endowed...... My problem was the boob pulled and a bra kept the area from feeling so stretched and sore. But either way, it only lasts for a couple of weeks and the benefits are great.
Don't forget a button up shirt to come home from the hospital. You reallllllly can not get your arms up for a pull over.

Let use know how it goes, we will be thinking about you on Thursday.

good ideas!

by Max4pups - 2010-06-02 03:06:27

didn't think about...i don't know if i have a button up shirt LOL I have tummy tucking tanks that i pull up over my waist and they do offer support for my 'girls' and really do need the support LOL guess i'm gonna have to check my closet or find something with a big enough neck that i can pull up from the waist THANKS!

Thanks

by Max4pups - 2010-06-02 03:06:36

it's been a tough day so far today, trying to keep busy getting things done at home, doing my one day of book work for the week at our business...looking forward to prayer time at church tonight :o)

Blouse vs t-shirt

by sewnjoy - 2010-06-02 05:06:55

I used a button up blouse the first week being very careful with the left arm. Then I started wearing t-shirts again. If you put your left arm in first & bring it all the way up to the arm pit, then get your right arm in & bring it over your head, it works. Got to remember to keep the left arm down through this. It's a bit of squirming around, but, it worked for me.
You'll look back on this & say, "hey, it really wan't that bad after all!!!"
Remember, no pushing, pulling, reaching or lifting for a while! Good luck!
sewnjoy

Good luck on Thur!

by Hot Heart - 2010-06-02 09:06:41

Check in and let us know how you are.

HH

You'll do fine......

by sewnjoy - 2010-06-02 12:06:17

I should add, I've been back to my flower garden work and feel fine! Lots of weeds to pull! I don't have to take those breaks every 15 minutes anymore & my heart isn't thumping like it used to! That's a welcome change due to the pm! Garden work was a royal pain! I just didn't have the energy to keep going! Thanks to the pm, I was able to stay with the weed pulling till the job was done. (fist time in years)

I used to live in Chi Town & know the Loyola is a great hospital!

Good luck tomorrow & let us know how you're doing when you get home!
sewnjoy

Good for you!

by sewnjoy - 2010-06-04 05:06:43

I'm glad things went well for you! I was thinking of you yesterday & wondering how things went. Every surgery & situation is different.... my surgery lasted only 1 hour & my incision is about 4" long & had 5 strips of tape over it. I still haven't seen a doctor since my surgery but have an appointment on July 19th. He has called me once & so has the surgical nurse. I live about 2 hours from the hospital that it was done in though. The reason for my pm is sick sinus syndrome. Found out that my heart stops up to 7 seconds at times while I sleep. Good thing I'm not awake when that happens, I would be on the floor. Anyway, take it easy & follow the doctors guidelines!
sewnjoy

Post-op

by Max4pups - 2010-06-04 12:06:42

Hi! Well I have had my surgery. It got started late because of complications in the case before me. It took 2 hours from pre-op to post-op just as they said. My incision was only 1-2 inches and has been taped closed. Only a little swelling and have been told it looks great. This morning I have already had my x-rays and gone to to the pacemaker clinic for manipulation. Will see doctor again in 2 weeks then do pacemaker clinic in 2 months and then every 6 months there after. Pain is tolerable but won't be denying myself painkillers. LOL wonderful staff here at Loyola but looking for ward to my own comfy surroundings :-)

day 2

by Max4pups - 2010-06-05 02:06:25

doing much better today, although after i took the 3rd hydrocodone it did NOT agree with me and i got sick and stuff, gonna stick with tylenol as needed. thankfully for a very close friend who is like my own daughter took me shopping for sports bras and i'm all comfy now hahahah
sewnjoy, i'm an hour and a 1/2 from Loyola which is far but not too far ya know. i have like 4 pieces of tape and it's definitely a 1-1/2 inch incision. so nice and small. my next appointment is june 25th i'll see doctor and pacemaker clinic then clinic again in 2 months. felt well enough to to our property (building a new home) and walk around a bit. Felt great to not be tired and having to sit every 15 minutes when my heart would drop out.
My actual condition is Neurocardiogenic syncope (type) Cardio Inhibitory 2B...which means my heart beat drops out and my body doesn't respond to increase the beats the way it should.
will absolutely follow doc guidelines and enjoy being spoiled y my family while i can :o)
take care and let me know how your visit goes!
max4pups

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