After four more trips around the sun with my pacemaker, I went in for a review which included a heart sonogram. How was my heart doing? Not good news. Yup, heart was indeed getting weaker due to pacing, a lot weaker. This happens from time to time and this was my time. I was told a new pacemaker with three lines into the heart should get me back on track but this is life there are no guarantees. It will most likely but not for sure. The old pacemaker had two lines. Do nothing? A heart attack and possible early grave are not that far off. So I opted for the three lead machine and more fun in the sun! It was successfully installed a few days ago. The first one took less than an hour to install but getting this new one was a whole different deal. Two and a half hours of uncomfortable semi conscious in an operating room the temperature of a beer cooler and it was over. They only kept me one night to be sure the new unit was working properly and then- HOME! There is no ride like the ride home from the hospital, both painful and hopeful.
I don't think any of this would be possible without trust in medical professionals. You have to have a doctor you believe. Still ask a lot of questions. Trust has to be earned after all. Look up the doc on line and see what others say. Get a second opinion. It is not time to be a total cynic about health care here in the USA. I trust my doc is not just making a Bentley down payment and is looking out for me. I trust the five or six strangers wearing masks gathered around me in the meat locker with plenty of sharp tools are not there for anatomy class for profit. They are on my side and know what the are doing. If you feel unsure make changes before going on the operating table. Now how we pay for all this fun I'll leave for another time.
Less than a week later and so far so good. I think I can tell a difference with a more normal heart rhythm and better blood flow. And no dizziness or passing the hell out. So that's all good. Yeah, I cannot drive for a week but that will pass in a snap. I feel good about my doc and treatment. Looking forward to returning to work and getting more active. Life is fragile. So be kind, do stuff and live it!
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