Naming Your Device

So I've been reading alot of the posts and it seems that many folks have names for their devices! I wondered how common this is among PM/ICD club members. I would love to hear from you all as to whether you do or don't have a name and if so what is it if you don't mind sharing.

I received my ICD on Monday and I have not named it but the thought had occured to me. The nurses had even asked me about it and that was the first I had heard of this:-)

Thanks for humoring me- Candi

19 Comments

How about "Sparky"?

by dtread - 2008-06-08 09:06:09

Seems like a no-brainer to me, particularly if you have one with a defibrillator. -Dan

Harvey

by HelenB - 2008-06-08 09:06:13

I figured if I'm going to have one of these things with me for the rest of my life, I might as well make it fun.

Mine's named Harvey, after the guy who discovered circulation, since that's what the ICD makes sure my heart keeps doing. I'm kind of getting to like him.

and Kevin was his name-O

by ghettofibrullous - 2008-06-08 09:06:17

I've had mine since Thursday and decided right before it was installed that it was going to be named. For me, it makes it easier to deal w/ and personifies the fact that it's something meant to help me and be my "friend".

I named it after my EP and told him so (I thought he'd laugh but I think he was actually 'touched').

I also name all my cars tho...

I didn't name mine..

by turboz24 - 2008-06-08 09:06:25

I kind of find it odd naming an object, to be serious for a moment. Naming it would in no way decrease my dislike of my ICD.

My Best Friend Pacer

by OIMAPRINCESS2477 - 2008-06-08 09:06:43

I now refer to my pacemaker as my Best Friend Pacer. Its funny watching people get confused for a minute before they realize what Im saying.

ANGEL

by LindaScarberry - 2008-06-09 01:06:14

Hi Candi

It's Linda; after reading your email I decided to name by ICD "Angel".

Hope all is well with you; I left you a note on your personal site.

linda

name!

by tpod - 2008-06-09 01:06:57

seeing as i name everything...

my pouch (stomach for a gastric bypass postop) is named Oscar (the pouch, when he's being cooperative, the grouch when he's not.), my extra skin is (under the arm) walter and (love handles) gordo

and my pacemaker is nameless at the moment. i have to see how it is after the ablation. but rest assured, it WILL have a name.

:)

name

by kaka - 2008-06-09 02:06:16

I had never thought of naming mine,until one of my girlfriends suggested it....so I gave her the honor of choosing a name.....Everyone, I would like you to meet Violet.....my friend closest to my heart.....

Nameless

by Smart Redd - 2008-06-09 02:06:43

Never thought of naming "it" even tho I've read others here naming theirs.

I talk to my dogs, cats, fish, flowers, chickens. And I've named all but the flowers ('cause they sort'a come with a name, right?). Still, I doubt it will get a name. Didn't talk to son until I could see and hold him after he arrived.

It may take a while, but any name I came up with at this point in time wouldn't be printable.

Red

You guys are awesome...

by candi51 - 2008-06-09 07:06:27

You guys are awesome... I love the suggestions and have had such a great time reading them!
I am still undetermined on a name or even if I will but my truck has a name and alot of other inanimate objects so I'm sure it is inevitable:-)
I like ghettofibrullous's idea of naming it after my EP and dtread- my husband thinks mini-UPS is SOO good- he is an IT guy. There are so many ideas and I love them all! I will have to ponder on this.
Thank you so much for sharing and I hope to hear more!
Candi

Most of them are boys...

by ghettofibrullous - 2008-06-09 07:06:34

Interesting that it seems like thus far most of the PM's/ICD's are male named (my Kevin is no exception).

Naming of Parts!

by Wannabe - 2008-06-09 07:06:36

What about Live Wire?

Since this is a site where good taste reigns supreme it is inappropriate for me to reveal the name by which I refer to my PM. #!**#!!!**

Mini-UPS (not really a name)

by dtread - 2008-06-09 07:06:37

Besides "ole Sparky" for a name (seems logical to me), here's something else to consider, although this is not really a name but more of a technical description. I work in telecommunications, and I've had a lot of coworkers ask about how my PM works, what it does, etc. Well, for telecommunications (and a lot of other electronic equipment such as computer equipment rooms, etc), they use what is called an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). The purpose of an UPS is basically to provide power in the event that the main power is lost (i.e., a power outage). The racks of electronic equipment will have racks of large batteries weighing several hundred pounds, which are part of the UPS. However, for some applications of electronic equipment a smaller UPS is used, called a "Mini-UPS". A Mini-UPS is much smaller (about the size of a paperback book), but it has the same basic function as a large UPS. So I tell my coworkers that my PM is sort of like a Mini-UPS, and I always get a big smile from that, since they understand what that is.

A good one, or a recalled one??

by coryi711 - 2008-06-09 07:06:42

A new one that work's I'd probabaly name it " Wilson" after the soccer ball, Tom Hanks talked to while stranded on the island..See his inanimate object kept him going...I know it's only a movie........
If I had gotten one of those recalled one's I'd have to name it [use your imagination] Chitty, chitty, bang, bang
Personally I've got both the atrial and ventricular pacemakers with the Defib., "I'm with dtread above I like "Ole Sparky"

Atlas holds up my world

by Jeffia - 2008-06-09 08:06:20

When I realised I had the equivalent of a paramedic in my chest 24/7 when I had my ICD/Pacemaker implanted, I wanted a really strong name. After a little bit of deliberation, the name ATLAS came to me. For me he is strong and capable - an obvious choice.

I feel psychologically it makes sense to have a positive feeling about your device. After all, it's probably going to be around for a long time.

Cheers, Jeffia

naming your new friend

by bini - 2008-06-09 12:06:19

When i first gor my PM, I also heard about the idea of naming it. At first I thought this was crazy but then I realized that it makes it like a friend then just some electronic thing.
I was trying to figure out a good name for it but then relaized what was the most meaningful. My PM is named Mike. I named my PM Mike bc it is named after someone who gave me hope and insperation when battling my fainting episodes. Mike got a double lung transplant shortly before my surgery for cystic fibrosis. He made me realize that I had nothing to fear and to stand strong when times are hard. So bc of him I had the strength to get my PM- my new electronic friend Mike.

Christine

Major typo on my comment

by bini - 2008-06-10 08:06:11

Wow thank god a reread this...I am not the one who had surgery for cystic fibrosis, mike is the one who had a double lung transplant. Just wanted to clarify- huge typo on my part.

name that pm

by VonnieVern - 2008-06-12 11:06:54

If you name your pm, won't it be traumatic when the battery runs down and it has to be replaced?

Vonnie

Atlas Mk II maybe?

by Jeffia - 2008-06-20 12:06:12

Hello Vonnie

No I won't be traumatised. I don't really attribute too many human emotions to the device. It's more the, ummm...well...spirituality or psychological strength of the thing for me at least.

I guess when my second device is implanted, it will still be Atlas or Atlas II or something. Don't know yet.

All the best, Jeffia

You know you're wired when...

Microwave ovens make you spark.

Member Quotes

I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.