BREW:
So, Tony - Is this little device making life easier? A little more enjoyable? We need news.

End quote.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for asking Bill...

I noticed a difference almost immediately. The experience was not at all traumatic nor painful. I don't know if it's a matter of pain tolerance but when asked if I wanted anything for pain in the hospital... I really saw no point in it. The nurses seemed a little amused and perplexed. I mean really... I've had KIP 3's that were more painful than this. I also hate taking any type of medication.

Preparation for surgery was actually more painful.... my prep nurse (god love her) needs to go back to school for retraining. If you've ever met me in person and noticed my arms you would have seen that I have freakishly HUGE veins. For some reason this poor nurse just couldn't seem to grab one with the IV needle. She blew out 4 veins on two arms.   Finally she gave up trying (Thank God) and had another nurse come in to do it, two, painless successful attempts.

The day after arriving home I felt better than I have in years. So, taking care not to use my left arm, I did laundry, vacuumed, washed the floors, cleaned some windows and cooked dinner for Ben and myself, then my niece and nephew stopped by to pick up a wedding video I edited for their business.

The next day... I worked out in the yard, weeding a bit and I mowed the grass. Well, that was pushing it a bit, I eventually felt like I was hit by a freight train, the rest of the day I had to lay around.

I do notice that I don't get winded like I used to. My energy level and endurance is greatly improved and I haven't nearly fainted yet. The wound is beginning to heal nicely, I gauge this by the amount of itching... It is a bit of a pain not to be able to sleep on my left side and I do notice a pain in my shoulder... but I was kind of expecting that.

with warm regards,
Tony

Thats great Tony.  Glad to hear it went well.

I'm glad to hear it's all going so well Tony!  :-*

Thank for the update Tony, you'll remain in our families prayer chain!

Guiseppi

Great news Tony!  Thanks for taking the time to let us know.

-Dennis-

Tony that is really good news. remember not to push it to hard, any surgery needs time to recover from  :)

Thats great news, brother!!!  :-*

glad to hear eveything is working otu well

That's great news, Tony - but don't be overdoing it - leave a little somethin' for Ben to do. ;)

Hugs
Carol

Glad to hear it, Tony! Rock on!

Good News, Sweetie.......Just remember, it hasn't been that long so take it a little easy for the next few days....OK   :)

Much Love,
Jackie

Ok, I gotta get this off my chest.

When Chuck first posted a thread "Pulling for Tony" I was almost afraid to open it.

There... Now I feel better. [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

-Dennis-

:), good news tony, light excercise has got to be the way to go. andrew.

DennisM1045 wrote on May 26^th, 2008 at 7:54pm:

Ok, I gotta get this off my chest. When Chuck first posted a thread "Pulling for Tony" I was almost afraid to open it. There... Now I feel better. [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] -Dennis-

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

all good thoughts your way.

DennisM1045 wrote on May 26^th, 2008 at 7:54pm:

Ok, I gotta get this off my chest. When Chuck first posted a thread "Pulling for Tony" I was almost afraid to open it. There... Now I feel better. [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] -Dennis-

See.. at least you ADMITTED you were having those thoughts.  
[smiley=clown.gif]

Glad you're doing so well Tony, just great!

Pepp

Tony,

Thanks for the update...  Now that you have dial-a-beat rate, how do you change the pace, or is this one of the ultra fancy units that adjusts automatically?

How do it work?

Take care Bro,

V/R, Batch

Peppermint wrote on May 26^th, 2008 at 8:56pm:

DennisM1045 wrote on May 26th, 2008 at 7:54pm: Ok, I gotta get this off my chest. When Chuck first posted a thread "Pulling for Tony" I was almost afraid to open it. There... Now I feel better. [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] -Dennis- See.. at least you ADMITTED you were having those thoughts.   [smiley=clown.gif] Glad you're doing so well Tony, just great! Pepp

Just wary after opening one of Chucks Friday posts early on as a newbie. :o  

;D

-Dennis-

Batch wrote on May 26^th, 2008 at 9:29pm:

Tony, Thanks for the update...  Now that you have dial-a-beat rate, how do you change the pace, or is this one of the ultra fancy units that adjusts automatically? How do it work? Take care Bro, V/R, Batch

I was implanted with The St. Jude Zephyr XL DR Model 5826

Dual-chamber, rate-responsive pacemaker

44 x 52 x 6 mm, 23.5 g, 11 cc

It has a estimated life expectancy of 13 years.

Here's a brochure if you're interested. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

As I was telling Chuck on the phone earlier today... "Run, don't walk to your nearest cardiologist and "DEMAND" a pacemaker.... LOL I've forgotten what it feels like to not be so tired all the time... a few friends stopped by to visit the other day and said that I actually appear to look healthier.

So far it seems to be working fairly well... I go in for my first check-up on June 5th... They'll do a routine pacer and incision check.

I'm almost afraid to say anything for fear of jinxing myself but... I've not even had a shadow since the day after my surgery. I'm kind of hoping that by some bizarre twist that this has somehow affected my chronic status.


....again... all of you... thank you so very much for all of your prayers and good wishes... I'm sure they had much to do with the good outcome.

with warm regards,
Tony

Boy, wouldn't that be great if it stopped the clusters as well as making you feel better already. Good news Tony!

tony,'

this is great news.... fingers are crossed that this will END your CH... then you can just be a supporter (and you're great at that).

Hugs BD

LOL Barb...oops... looks like I jinxed myself... LOL... I got nailed today at 1:30... Oh well, we can hope can't we?

Today I was feeling some unusual pressure in the middle of my chest so I called my surgeon and he wants to see me tomorrow at 8 AM... It isn't the type of pain that makes me double over in pain... and it's not  at the location of the pacemaker... this is a dull tightening/throbbing pain that shows up for no rhyme or reason in the middle of my chest.

Since I've never felt that before and since I've never experienced getting a pacemaker before... I figured better safe than sorry...

I'll let you know what the doc says tomorrow.


with warm regards,
Tony

Fingers crossed Tony - let us know asap won't you?

lots and lots and tons of love
Helen xxx

Good to hear that you're doing well, Tony.  Sounds as if it's going to make a very positive change in your life.

Best wishes,

George

Please, Tony....let us know after you see the doctor.  Glad you're going...better to be safe.

Much Love,
Jackie