Backpacks

Hello Gevans,

I was just checking out your photo in the member Gallery and I must say that is an impressive pack you have on your back.

Question: Was that picture taken before the pacemaker or after? Where was your picture taken? I love the outdoors.
It is a great picture!

pacergirl ;-)

2 Comments

photo identification

by gevans - 2007-11-11 02:11:11

Hi Pacergirl,

The photo with full pack was taken last summer on the River to River trail in southern Illinois, and the one with my wife and I was taken on our ascent of Huron Peak (seen in background over Linda's shoulder) later in the year.

I had my device implanted five and a half weeks ago but I've had my pack on since then just to make sure there are no issues. I don't cinch my sternum strap as tightly now, and I have the pack ride a little farther back on my shoulders (by loosening the tension on the tilt straps) but there are no issues with the compression on the PM at all. I only had problems the first few weeks (with the seatbelt in my car) but now that all the swelling has gone down around the site I don't experience any discomfort.

I had problems with power-walking right after the procedure as there was considerable "jiggling" of the pectoral muscles, but by three weeks I was able to run a nine-minute pace for a few miles with no effect. By last weekend I had gotten up to 8 miles.

On Wednesday I had a heart attack but it was not a result of overdoing anything. I had a biopsy of my prostrate and a clot from that procedure lodged in the only coronary where there was significant blockage. Thanks to my pacemaker, my heart continued to beat and I got to the ER and had a balloon cath with a stent placement.

Isn't life grand? I was released yesterday and I will take it easy for a week or two (for the docs to assess the tissue damage) and then get back to savoring every active moment I can.

Your exercise addict,
Gary

OMG!

by pacergirl - 2007-11-11 08:11:03

Gary! So surprised that you are back online after your recent heart attack. My goodness!

Thank you for the story of the pack. Sounds like you and your wife have been very active. I hope you get to continue with your activities. Life is grand and then... well you know what comes next. I try not to let it rule my life these day. Like you I try to live everyday to the fullest!

Take care and best of luck to you!
pacergirl

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.