number 5 surgery in less than 2 years!

Well hello my friends. I am sorry I didn't get the update out sooner. So Monday was surgery and I am still in pain. You would think after all the ablations I had almost two years ago I would be great with the pain. Guess I am kidding myself a little.
As most of you that know me well know that its been a hell of a ride with this pm. I will never complain that I hated my ticker but I seem to always know how to complain about the pain part.
I went in on Monday not knowing what was in front of me. A surgery expected to take 2 hrs max took 5 1/2 hrs. They removed 4 inches of scar tissue and also removed my ventricle lead, placed a new one attempted to replace the atrium lead but scar tissue prevented them from pulling anymore so they got it 3/4 the way out. The replaced with a new lead though and they also had to replace my pacemaker.
All the tests showed that I only had 5 months left and all of this came about because of scar tissue is over powering my chest.
So as of right now I have a completely new pacemaker and leads with one old lead still in. The hope is that the scar tissue will not continue to over power my body. I had a high risk surgery and was awake and felt most of it. The pain that was present was more than I can imagine and I had every drug they could give.
I now can only take tylenol 3 for the pain b/c my b/p keeps dropping low.
Life sure is interesting and i'm learning so much more. I hope each off you are doing well. I may not be able to post for a while as recovery seems to be a little harder this time around.
Blessings and love to each of you and know your all in my thoughts and prayers!

Tammy

2 Comments

I feel your pain.....

by maryanne - 2009-01-10 04:01:40

I am now 5 weeks post PM with lead extraction and ended up having an emergency sternotomy. Like you I was scheduled for a 2 hour procedure which ended up being over 5. During the lead extraction they nicked my aorta and needless to say I bled, which then necessitated the sternotomy.

I was only prepared for the lead extraction and PM replacement...I came out of surgery still ventilated, with chest tubes IV's everywhere. After less than 24 hours in the Cardiac Intensive Care unit I was transferred to a cardiac step down unit where I spent another 3 days.

Pain....I have not experienced pain like that in my life....I told the nurse it was worse than natural child birth...but at least after child birth the pain would be gone and you would have a baby....not so in this case.

I am finding my energy level is what is low....I walk as that is what they told I should be doing...and on the odd day because of the snow I have been on my stepper. Unfortunately, I am finding now that usually within a few minutes of being on my stepper I start to get pain so I can't go as long as I had hoped.

My scars are healing...and I have many of them....my old site had so much scar tissue that not only did it have staples but it also had retention sutures...those are out now...and the area is healing well but the nerve endings send uncomfortable shooting pains up into my neck....I then have to deal with the sternotomy which now I have a cold and coughing and sneezing hurt like a son of a bisquit.....and then my new PM site.

I was prepared to be off for the 6 weeks....certainly looks like I am going to be off much longer....I am getting by on Extra strength Tylenol and Advil...some days it doesn't seem like enough...and other days I hardly have to take anything.

I wish you the best of recovery....like I said....I feel your pain....

best wishes....Mary Anne

Hang In There!

by scadnama - 2009-01-10 06:01:01

Tammy,

I am so sorry that you are having such a rough time! You are one tough cookie my friend!
I am praying for you!

Amanda

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Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.