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Had an SCA on 12th May 2009, survived. Had an Electrophysiology test on 21st Sept which induced an SCA. I now have an ICD fitted. Glad to still be here, any words of wisdom to help me with the 'head' part of this physical repair?
Thanks,
Andy
Anxiety Heart failure Pain Heart attack Congestive heart failure
I think I would live with constant anxiety without my ICD and I am not even an anxious person. With this machine I feel so safe. I call it my I. C.ant D.ie because of this it causes mostly positive thoughts in me. I have only had mine about 2 months and it is already starting to blend into my body...Good Luck
Andy,
Soon you will get to the point where you don't even thingk about having it there. I know my husband doesn't even think about it any more except occaisionally when he has a problem sleeping on the side it is on. It gives us both peace of mind- a load off my mind. Now my husband can excercise, run and even ride his bike!
Diane
I will be getting mine on October 1, so it is the less than one week away phase for me. It is nice to hear that yours went well and you are on your way to full recovery. I think the "head" part as you say will take the most adjusting to for me. I guess I will take things one day at a time. By the way, are you in Ireland, or another Belfast?
My ICD was implanted in March 2007 after being in Northridge, CA Hosp for 1 month with GROSS HEART FAILURE. i also wear an Insulin Pump. I've never had a Heart Attack, per se, just Severe Congestive Heart Failure. I must use Oxygen too. Thank God for Modern Technology. Twice, before ICD, I was in Coma; but God gave us Miracles. I can't help but believe in the GREAT PHYSICIAN (God). Since HE spared my life, it is up to me to be thankful & live a disciplined life, while still doing my own housework, at age 75 & still am a Church Musician. Please don't be afraid to believe in God & HE will help you & help the new "tools" to work GOOD for you. Wishing you Special Love & Peace, LoisCSmith
Thanks everyone for your positive, helpful responses, they really help.
Cindy, good luck for next week. Yes, I'm in Belfast on the Emerald Isle.
Lois, great to hear you live such a full live.
Best regards,
Andy
Hi Andy:
Hope you are doing well and healing on schedule. I just had my one week post ICD check yesterday. They took of the dressing and took my heart for a test drive. A little scary at first but I just used my mind over matter approach. I also saw the type of device they put in, it sure looked big, but they said it was not really, still I cannot believe I am carrying that around with me now. Everything about the ICD experience is still quite surreal to me, I guess I will adjust to my old self over time. I am getting back to work on Monday, but I am hoping it is not too soon as the whole process has sort of wiped me out and I think I am tiring out quite earlier in the day than I am used to.
Cheers,
Cindy
Cindy,
I'm really glad things are going well with you. Yes it is really weird when they test drive the device. I've just received some kit that will allow my device to be interrogated over my telephone line, they can even adjust it remotely!
Good luck with your return to work, I'm impressed, but take it slowly.
Bye for now,
Andy
Cindy said "I also saw the type of device they put in, it sure looked big, but they said it was not really, still I cannot believe I am carrying that around with me now."
In my doc's office they have a basket of various sized ICD's from various time periods. When she first showed me mine, I felt like you. I can feel it's dimensions with my fingertips, and now it doesn't seem so large. Anyway, I got sort of tickled at how far they've actually come with them. In the basket o' goodies, she has one of the very first ones, from when they used to implant them in your abdomen, and it's about the size of a wallet. Glad I don't have one of those! :-)
Hey Andy, Hope all is well with you and yours. Sounds like you have been quite busy lately and I understand what you are going through. I just have my operation at the beginning of sept. Things are going good here. I remember the first couple of week were quite intense with the swelling, icing of the site, and worrying about if the dang thing will go off or not. And boy, do I understand what you mean about getting your head around the whole experience. That seems to be the most daunting part of the whole thing since the operation. While there are some days where I even forget I have the ICD in my chest, other days are tough to deal with, what with dreams about it moving around in my chest, residual pain surrounding the unit itself, and exhaustion for just trying to keep up with the regular day to day living and junk.! I'm sure you can relate to all this stuff.....LOL! I guess we have to just take it on one day at a time. I know I look forward to the support and exchange of experiences here on this website. So many good people who are willing to share and support really is a great thing and I sure am ready to do my share! Well, hope all is well with you and yours and let me know how you are doing, ok?
Don
Hey Don,
I really enjoyed your reply. One of the best things about people on this site is their empathy. I went on then to read your journal entries. They made me laugh and cry, sometimes simultaneously!
Physically, I have had a straight forward recovery from the ICD fitting. Psychologically, I think I've got a handle on things, my family could give greater clarity on this LOL.
I had a check-up with my cardiologist last week and she was able to tell me that my EF is greater than 50%, the damage to my heart is very small and that she doesn't want to see me for a year. Even though she has been great, the feeling was mutual.
Thanks again everyone,
Andy
Dear Andy, WOW!!!! You are so lucky! I am SO jealous of your EF number! Mine was 25% in August and I won't know about the progress of things since the implant until December with my next visit to the cardiologist. You are doing MORE than great, my friend! You sure nuff have some guardian angels looking over your shoulder to make sure your family thrives! (*Big smile) That's the great thing about the current treatment in the cardiology/medical field. The goal is to get you back to normal life with your loved ones. Sounds like mission accomplished!
Don
You're so right Tony, especially when you consider I had a heart attack way back in 1996 when I was 41!
Andy
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