Author Topic: I knew something was wrong! (Read 3867 times)

Jerry · « **on:** July 17, 2013, 04:24:11 PM »

Waiting here at Tarzana Medical Center. In an hour and a half I will be having a Pacemaker implanted.
Good DR, good staff. I go home in the morning

This and Appendectomy on June second has kept me busy.

SueSTx · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2013, 04:35:13 PM »

I know you will feel better after the pacemaker is in place.

Jerry · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2013, 05:35:26 PM »

Yes that is what they say, how much he will not say, but it is significant!

I know at least one lady who is thrilled.
It is an electrical problem.

Thanks all

Sean · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2013, 05:56:24 PM »

Quote from: Jerry on July 17, 2013, 05:35:26 PM

Yes that is what they say, how much he will not say, but it is significant!

I know at least one lady who is thrilled.
It is an electrical problem.

Thanks all

Don't worry about the money it will cost, you cant enjoy the money when you're gone anyway...

Best of luck with the surgery. Its a quick procedure.

Cheers,
Sean

Kittyzee · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2013, 07:10:49 PM »

Glad they found your problem and are now going to "fix" it! I have missed you, take care my friend...

hopsingspond · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2013, 07:41:44 PM »

Hope everything goes well, don't over do it when you get home.

Indiana Karen · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2013, 08:27:48 PM »

Thinking of you Jerry.

Karen

Jerry · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2013, 05:22:35 AM »

5:00 am and all is well. The OR was freezing and the surgeon was late..I never did see him.
All ok and get to go home this morning. The appendectomy was easier!
I had great nurses and good care.
Edited: so impressed with the thoroughness. A tech guy was just here and checked the pacemaker. All electronically. I get one more I.V.with anti biotics and I go home. I will miss the Persian beef dinner this evening! What luck

Oh, the unit is good for ten years!

Thank you ALL for the good wishes.

Pam · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2013, 10:56:26 AM »

Wow! That was quick! Glad to hear that you did so well during the procedure. The Persian beef can wait

CoolShades · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2013, 05:13:45 PM »

Hi Jerry,

Glad to hear they found the problem and resolved it. Have a quick recovery!

Gary

Sean · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2013, 05:27:53 PM »

Your energy will get better now and your exercise wont bother you as much. You shouldn't get winded so easy now either.

Start slow but make sure you get out and about. Your recovery will be swift.

Cheers,
Sean

Jerry · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2013, 06:26:13 PM »

Thanks Sean. I think so too. I am wearing a sling to prevent me from raising my left arm above my shoulder.
Not a big deal at all. He said I can get back to the recumbent bike right away. Swim in thirty days. I think I will do some serious sleeping.

Again thanks all. It is very appreciated

Indiana Karen · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2013, 09:58:40 AM »

Good to know that it is over and you are on the road to recovery!

My Mom got a pacemaker last fall, four days after having a stroke. She has a box that is connected to a phone line that sits beside her bed. Whenever the doctor wants a readout, they order it remotely and it is done overnight. That way they know she will be close to the box. She doesn't even know when they do it!!!

Jerry · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2013, 11:09:46 AM »

It is pretty amazing. Mine is about the size is a quarter! Still a bit of discomfort at the incision, but that will pass.
Years ago i saw an older guy. At the gym who had the outline of a box under his skin, maybe 4" x1o"
I am told mine will not be visible. A few caveats such as avoid transmission towers or tinkering under the hood of a car with a running motor. Avoid electrical fields!

What happens if I uhh " dance" with a gal who has a Pacemaker? Sparks?

Mikey · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2013, 01:38:33 PM »

I had no idea they were that small. Bev's power-port is larger, about the size of a 50cent piece and perhaps 1/4" thick. Glad to hear things went well.

Jerry · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2013, 01:53:15 PM »

Mike, I never saw it, I am repeating what I was told. The maker is Boston Scientific, I must check it out.
Bev and I dare not dance!

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #16 on:** July 22, 2013, 03:48:32 PM »

Totally miss you Jerry! Glad you took good care of things though. You're high tech now whether you know it or not

Jerry · « **Reply #17 on:** July 22, 2013, 03:56:31 PM »

Yeah, but I can,t go near transmission lines!

The DR thinks I need to flush my system from the meds and anesthetics from the hospital I feel a bit rocky.
I had him check me and the unit. He says it is doing it's job perfectly.

Forty ounces of fluid so far today and it's only 4:00. Might be a busy night

Jerry · « **Reply #18 on:** August 01, 2013, 06:36:06 PM »

Now that I feel so bad 3 women told me how good I look!! One at the bank, the second was a nurse and then a checker at Sprout's. dayummmm.

Kittyzee · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2013, 07:07:56 AM »

It's amazing what a well placed compliment will do! Looking good from here too!

Jerry · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2013, 06:50:21 PM »

My cardio guy wanted me to get a glucose test, I did. "We will give you the results Tomorrow".
I replied "tomorrow is Saturday'. "Oh" she said. "Make it Monday.."
He said my problem was not cardiological
I went to Facey and had the finger prick test, the DR said " this is not your problem." She did an EKG too.all ok.

Of course my DR did not call on Monday or Tuesday and now it's Wed. They won't call.
I feel like once they did their thing, they had less interest in me.
I hope I am very wrong. I see a UCLA Cardiologist Friday. I hope he tells me that I am being well treated . I would love to be wrong.

I am doing better almost no dizziness but still breathlessness. From easy tasks.
Maybe it just takes time, but wouldn't it be nice if my guy told me that? If nothing else, it would allay anxiety.
I will find a new Cardiologist

I got lucky! The news cardio guy is gem. Lots of tech info that I can hardly retain. Spent a lot of time with me! he said the implant was justified! ( was wondering)

He had a scan done to see if there was water , also to see if the lead was properly connected.
I did not see him after that but his assistant said a preliminary review says all seem right.

Very through!!!

DR Arby Nahapetian

Yale grad about 44 is my guess. Makes Burnam's office seem obsolete.
I see him in 2 weeks and with a tech guy ,they will tweak the PM. With use of the treadmill.
He believes we can be 80% of what I was.

I think I was lucky as Hell finding him,
He did say that the PM was justified. He spent time with me!!! He even gave me a cool trick. that makes stairs easy. It is taking breaths so the "Drum major" will know what's about to happen and kick into action! it works!
I see him in 2 weeks,he says I will be 80% of what I was! I was pretty good! 80% would be great

Adios DR..XXXXXXXX

SueSTx · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2013, 08:43:58 PM »

Glad you found a new doc that seems to be able to help you.

digger-z8 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 04, 2013, 03:22:18 PM »

Late posting here but I have been praying. As Sean said, your recovery will be swift. It's a good thing when two pacemakers meet and sparks fly. Now go dance and celebrate life knowing you are well-loved

cindy · « **Reply #23 on:** August 13, 2013, 08:00:17 AM »

Glad you have a good Cardiologist, hope you are feeling better. What happened with the glucose?

Jerry · « **Reply #24 on:** August 13, 2013, 09:06:38 AM »

I may have had a good Cardiologist before, but he filled me with anxiety. 8 weeks till he sees me again?? Way too long at this point. In 2 days the new guy will tweak me on the treadmill! That he said, will make a huge difference.
I met Julie Bowen ( ever so briefly) guess what? She has had a pacemakers since she was 20!!!

I am back on the bike and doing okay at it. Improving daily.

Glucose a bit high, but Not Diabetic...there goes my apple pie.

:'(
All other tests including the awful ones are normal. Losing weight nicely. Hooray for Oatmeal!
Down 27 lbs.

Thank you all for your kind wishes.

Jerry · « **Reply #25 on:** September 01, 2013, 08:02:56 AM »

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

I am now NORMAL! The Stenosis surgery that i had given up on, apparantly did work! It took a year and a few weeks. I was told 12 weeks before the sold me on the surgery. Then "maybe 6 months?" then "well some take a year!" looks like i took a year. No compliant! I am grateful to be as i was. The Pacemaker too has become smooth, for want of a better word.
I can do anything![/i] No I am not playing basketball again, but just might shoot a few hoops! "Horse" anyone? Walking is now a lark! just as it always was.

SueSTx · « **Reply #26 on:** September 01, 2013, 12:44:24 PM »

Glad things are finally better. Enjoy yourself in whatever you choose to do.

Jerry · « **Reply #27 on:** September 01, 2013, 12:54:10 PM »

Thank you Sue. Back on the bike too. I do get tired, but don't we all?

Pam · « **Reply #28 on:** September 02, 2013, 06:58:59 AM »

I'm happy to hear that you are feeling better, Jerry!

Congratulations on finding a cardiologist that is more in tune with your needs.

My GP spends too much time with me, sometimes I just want a BP check and to get out the door, but he likes to chit chat and an office visit lasts for 30 minutes.

I think most of us do tire with exertion, seems normal to me anyway. Tell me more about the weight loss. Oatmeal? For every meal?

Jerry · « **Reply #29 on:** September 02, 2013, 08:13:20 AM »

No Pam, not every meal, but i bet that would work! Lunch often, sometines fruit, my wife likes making salads so that would be lunch 70% of the time. Oatmeal is a good snack too, yes some butter and Splenda. it is filling as you all know. Nutritious too. I bought a few "fancy brands: I can tell NO difference between them and good old Quacker Oars.
Re: salads, Goat cheese is a great ingredient, not low calorie but not bad. The big thing for me is cutting out wheat!
I slipped badly yesterday. Italian Foccachia will do it. Mama mia!
One thing for sure about getting tired,,,if i knock off 15 lbs more I will be not schleping that averdupois around all day.
Try carrying a 15 lb. dumbell around!
This sounds like i am writing a diet column and preachy.
There are exercises for Stenosis, With a gut in the way the exercises are impossible, not anymore.
I love sweets and have had to give them up. Yes I miss them. When living is a motivation it is an easy choice.
excuse the no-it-all lecture. I sure do not know it all.

Oh. After the next visit I will see the cardiologist 2 times a year!