Pacer replacement

Well, its final. I have a voice mail from the cardiologist office that he wants to replace the pacer next Thurs. That's the day he does checkups and has the Medtronics tech in town. I'm glad he is doing it now. It is getting close on batteries and it affects plans for being out of town. I don't intend to have anything other than a local anesthesia so its no big deal. I was looking at some of my notes from when I had the original put in and I went for a 1/2 mile walk when I got home from the hospital.

Now all I have to do is get an appt to talk over his plans and be sure we agree.

frank

12 Comments

Thanks Smitty

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-09 01:01:28

I've already sent him letter with my instructions. Monday I'm going to see about an appt with him to go over everything. Otherwise, since I'll be awake during the surgery I'll complain!!!

Your experience with the VVI mode is one reason I put on pressure for the replacement. I wasn't looking forward to being way out in the desert in my Jeep and having to limp home in VVI.

frank

REPLACEMENT

by pete - 2010-01-09 03:01:41

Hi Frank, I am sure you will take note of everything that happens and post the details here when you get back. I thought you said you had 6 months left on the battery so I had penciled in March/April for your replacement.Make sure they have remembered to to take your new device out of sleep mode and if you see "MADE IN CHINA" stamped on the pacemaker, run like hell !! Good luck. Peter

frank

by jessie - 2010-01-09 09:01:18

good luck on thursday frank. i will be thinking of you. yes you want to be able to go out of town. you are an inspiration my friend. hugs xxxooo jessie

New battery!

by pacergirl - 2010-01-09 09:01:49

Hello Frank,
Just wanted to say hello and to wish you a speedy recovery. I hope you are well enough after the upgrade to be able to enjoy that walk. You are an inspiration to me!

I do make it to South West U.S. on occasion and I would love to be able to have a cuppa with you sometime, just to say thank you for all your support.
Take care,
Pacergirl

Frank

by Pookie - 2010-01-09 09:01:54

Good luck buddy. I wish you nothing but the best.

I often thought....when I get my next replacement, I think I'd like to have it video-taped!

Are you going to ask for the old one for you to keep?

Pookie
XOXO

Video taped or Keep old one

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-09 10:01:30

Funny, I've thought about both of them. Maybe I could do an animated pacemaker movie.

Interesting us engineers. I'm excited and can hardly wait for Thursday. I'll know more when I contact the cardio's office Monday.

frank

More comments

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-09 10:01:37

To answer a few questions and comments:

My pacer is just over 5 yrs old.

Peter, I'll keep you all updated. I haven't seen the report from my last Carelink checkup. It should be in the mailbox first of next week. That should tell how the decision was made. You could have gone all week without mentioning China. LOL

Pacergirl, Thanks! I don't expect problems. Of course there is always things like a lead that won't come out of the old pacer or something. That's just part of life.

frank

recharge

by Tracey_E - 2010-01-09 10:01:54

Glad to hear they're not messing around for VVI, though I was sorta looking forward to the report on your acting job in the ER if you were afraid you were too close.

I go this Wednesday and expect to schedule mine then also.

I'd say good luck and don't worry but knowing you, you'll have round of golf planned for that afternoon and a hike the next morning. :o)

I'm jealous you've been at the show! I've been reading the updates every day from Cnet, lotsa fun stuff.

Pete, the numbers are all estimates. Near the end, the impedance goes up which means projected battery life can nosedive. Battery life is estimated based on current impedance so you have to watch both numbers. Mine said 4-6 months in November but my impedance had tripled since September, so I'm expecting to hear it's about kaput when I go this week.

PM Replacement

by SMITTY - 2010-01-09 12:01:34

Hey Frank,

I wish you the best with the replacement. I'm glad you are getting the replacement before your's goes into VVI mode like mine did. As one of my great grandkids will say that is the pits.

Now one piece of advice, be sure you give the doctor all of his instructions before he starts the surgery just in case he finds him self busy.

Take care,

Smitty

Thanks

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-09 12:01:44

I expect to be able to go right on with things. They will use the same leads and I have let them know I want the same settings programmed before I leave surgery.

The last 2 days I've been at the big electronics show in Las Vegas. Both days I walked the 1 1/2 mile each way to the convention center plus was on my feet at the show for around 6 hours each day. Except for some achy legs and feet I feel great.

I'll keep all updated,

frank

Pacer replacement

by breezy - 2010-01-09 12:01:50

Hi Frank :) I wondered how long you have had your PM?
I hope it all goes well for you..and that your able to continue your walking... I am just into 2 months(as you know) and do walk some..the weather is so nasty here that we don't walk much right now..so I do the stairs alot
even with that I pace myself.
Good luck to you and thank you for all your good information:)
breezy

And for us 4 wheel drive types

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-11 01:01:09

I need to add 4 lead drive.

frank

You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

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I, too, am feeling tons better since my implant.