Time for a new battery

Wow! It's been so long since I have been on here to say hello to everyone! Has it really been 9 years since I got my 1st pacer implanted?! Boy has the time flown. 

Life has been crazy, we had a handsome little boy who will be 4 on December 31st and it has been such a joy to raise him. 

Anywho, I went in for my battery check up today and they are saying it is going to be super soon that the battery will have to be replaced. This is so much sooner then I expected as I had almost 2 years of battery life left a year ago. 

The drastic change came after we were in a really bad car accident and my leads were moved, and now my pacer needs more energy usage to pace properly, hence the drop on battery life. 

My main concern is having the surgery, and still being able to care for my little guy as I am a stay at home mom. Have any of you gone through this, and still had to care full time for your little one. My husband will be able to take a day or two off work, but no more then that. 

All the advice is much appreciated, 

Britt

3 Comments

New Battery

by Blocked - 2016-12-02 01:10:55

I am on pacemaker #3 and I can tell you that the battery replacements are much easier and less painful than the initial implant, assuming your leads won't need replacement. I got my first pacemaker when my oldest daughter was barely six months old. I struggled because of her age and complete dependence on me when we were alone but I did fine. She was 7 and her sister was 5 when I had my second pacer put in. Second time around was a breeze compared to the first. Third time they were both teens:). I'm coming up on a replacement in the year and a half I'd say.   

I would say since your little one is almost 4, the biggest challenge will. E keeping up with him. Just try to rest when he naps, ask friends and relatives for help when you need it (if available) and most of all, remember you must take care of yourself in order to take care of him.  Good luck!

new battery

by Tracey_E - 2016-12-04 18:28:03

My kids were 2 and 3 when I had a replacement. It was annoying and a little frustrating but entirely doable. They were still both in diapers so I played with them and changed them on the floor, picked them up with my left arm. They are old enough to understand that mommy has a booboo so they need to not touch. Soreness is nothing compared to the first time! I didn't take more than tylenol. Maybe you could have it done on a Thurs, then your husband could take off Thurs and Fri, and you'd have the weekend. 

Thank you

by OIMAPRINCESS2477 - 2016-12-24 23:24:09

Thank you both! 

Tracey, luckily he is been toilet trained since he was 18 months old, lol. I was not dealing with big kid poops lol. But we are trying to figure things out. We thought it was going to be this month before Christmas, and we got super lucky that now it may not be until February which makes it much easier for my husband. I could schedule it for a Friday and he would be able to take off Friday, Saturday and his work is closed Sundays. (Retail Manager). 

I just worry. Even at 4 he is still very clingy and doesn't take naps, and his home schooled. So he is here 24/7 with me. 

So fingers crossed it gets better. 

Brittny

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Yesterday was my first day mountain biking after my implant. I wiped out several times and everything is fine. There are sports after pacemakers!