Hi, Joanie.
My name's Bob and I had a cardiac arrest on April 6, 2008. I really got my behind kicked by it, too. Well, actually my head! I have a frustrating short-term memory problem, now, but it doesn't keep me from living. Thank God for my wife, or I'd be forgetting that I'm on my way to babysit for my little GrandSon.
Anyway, my fear of another arrest has subsided greatly. I guess it turned into the knowledge that it might happen again. Then, again, it might not.
It's been a year and a half and I've beaten all the survival odds, now, so I'm relaxed about it. I can tell you this for sure; I'm in no hurry to leave my wife and family again, but I have NO fear of death anymore. I've been there and I know what it is. That's probably why I don't worry much. I know that many have ICDs implanted in them and some are quick to try and sell you on them. If they weren't, they wouldn't promote it on this site. Talking is one thing, selling is another. It makes me mad! I have nothing to sell except an idea for helping others who have had an arrest. You might read "Aaron_Pennsylvania"s post that he put up yesterday. It's entitled, "Support for Survivors". Your husband might benefit from our attempt to have sca survivors, who are able, to communicate with other survivors who are having a difficult time recovering. I think that we can help each other that way, even when 'therapy' fails - it usually does.
Anyway, talking to others about it would probably help your husband more than anything else. Feeling like a "zombie alone in the world" can really hold back any enthusiasm for living again. I don't know his situation, but you say that he doesn't have any medical explanation for the arrest? Blocked coronary arteries, and arrythmias are the most common explanations. The whole ICD thing is really focused on Long QT Syndrome, etc, which benefits from a pacemaker. I think this is ICD/AED month in the U.S., by the way. An AED, while expensive (about 1200 - 1800 dollars, U.S.) is a good thing to have at home or in a car, but he probably wouldn't want to carry it around with him.
Well, I'm really rambling now. My memory glitch causes my thoughts to jump track every few minutes and then I talk and talk and talk... Does your husband have any problems like that? I also had Tunnel vision for 6 weeks but that went away suddenly.
Anyway, please tell the Big Guy not to worry too much. His blood pressure needs to stay low because his heart really took a blow, there. That's the best thing he can do for himself - and excercise. I'd really like to talk with him sometime. We can compare notes, so to speak. It will probably help him to stop worrying too much. And, "TAKE your heart medications - no matter what side effects they may have - that can be remedied. Then, live again and don't worry so much."
So, if I can be of any help, but it's mostly through talking this way since I'm not a Dr., please send something back. My email address if you want to use it:
4turri@gmail.com
or a 'friend request' works, too. In any case, I'm glad you posted your concerns. Write anytime and take care. God bless you and your husband and his heart always, Joanie.
Sincerely,
Bob Turri
