Frustraited with Pacemaker!

[Diesel]

Okay i need to vent.. even though i dont want to.. but if i dont im just going to cry.......

I have been doing AWESOME since my surgery (june 1 2005) and i mean awesome! I have had no problems with healing or anything all summer long. Ive been really good about protecting it with the sun and all during the hot summer days..

Well two days ago, i was getting ready to go to some friends and i realized that something was wrong wth my pacemaker scar.. There is a bubble with fluid.. I knew it wasnt like that the day before, cause i check my scars everyday to make sure there is NO change. So i showed my mom and we decided to make an appointment with my PCP yesterday. She was nervous and started me on antibiotics and had chest x-rays and a CRAP load of blood work done on me..

In the mean time we called the surgeons office who deals with my pacemaker. HE wants to see me tomorrow downstate at the hospital. He said there is a number of things that could be wrong. But if an infection is htere then we have to make some decision on how to get rid of it. He thinks that possibly to open up the site and drain the fluid might be what we have to do. He wont know until i see him..... SO im packing an overnight bag just incase...

Blood work came back (well some of it... some results will be back in a week) and i found out im anemic (sp??) SOO even more bloodwork was called in for today... WHy is this all happening when i am SUPPOSE to be starting work on MONDAY????

im so frustraited. its so close for me to start work again.. and now this.. and tomorrow is suppose to be so beautiful: my family, friends, and i had plans to go out on the boat for one last time. I tried to convince my parents just to let me try and see if these antibiotics are going to work. BUT they insist that we go see the surgeon.. I DONT!! well i know i have to..but im being sulky (at age 26!!) and i dont want to deal with this!!

anyways.. sorry for venting.. i just wasnt expecting to go through this, this week. i mean come on.. ive had a great summer.. why does this have to happen now???

Do you think we are over reacting about going to see the surgeon???

Diesel

 

[Cris N]

Diesel, I empathize with you... rotten timing! BUT, the last thing you need is to have a nasty infection, I mean, after all, what if was flesh-eating bacteria Bite the bullet & get it checked out... Chances are excellent that this won't interfere with going back to work. It's just another one of those bumps in the road. Venting is ok, but don't forget that you are making excellent progress - think of how you would have felt without the surgery. As far as the anemia is concerned, not at all uncommon. Right now I'm taking an iron supplement for mine, go back to see PCP in a couple months for another hemoglobin test. (A word of caution if your dr puts you on iron supp. - they can easily cause constipation.)

Hope everything turns out well with surgeon visit.

Cris

 

[twinmaker]

I know you're frustrated about having to go see the surgeon, but this is something you don't want to mess around with. It may be nothing at all, but if it is an infection, you need to get it taken care of. Keep us posted on what the doctor says. We'll be thinking of you. Linda

 

[CCRN]

Surgeons........Yuck!

Surgeons........Yuck!

I don't blame you for wanting to avoid the surgeon. I've got to figure out how I can avoid about eight of them when I go back to work in a couple of weeks.

Listen, you're doing the right thing in seeing the doc with the knife. IF you have infection it is best to deal with it as soon as possible. It's not uncommon and your surgeon is the best person to deal with it. Cheer up. You just might need a good round of antibiotics. I don't mean to sound patronizing. It's really hard these extra things that we have to deal with.......as if having our chests split open is not enough? Best wishes for a great prognosis.

 

[Guest]

Diesel,

You aren't alone with those type of frustrations. I believe all of us have had our share of disappointments that have developed due to situations with our health/heart.

Thoughts/prayers coming your way.


Cort, "Mr Road Trip" / soon2be ex-"Mr MC", 31swm/pig valve/pacer
MCfamily.models.HO.chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
MC Guide = http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html
"We got mountains to climb" ... Rod Stewart ... 'Broken Arrow'

 

[Nancy]

Sorry you are having this unexpected problem. Having an area of infection around your pacemaker has to be taken care of. There is no other choice. So you are doing the exact right thing and getting it taken care of.

Wishing you all the best.

 

[Diesel]

Thanks everyone who has listen and dealt with me!!

I just got back from being downstate. On the road for 11 hours! Man what a day.. So the surgeon.,.. well i met up with him inbetween surgeries at the hospital. We went into some small room that i sat on a bed. HE looked at the bubble in amazement and not sure what it was he all of a sudden... took out some knife (sterilized) and then cut it open!! No warning no meds no nothing!! He cut it three times and then drained it!! He was thinking there was a stitch inside trying to work its way out. But he couldnt find one.

I asked him why he didnt tell me what he was going to do and he said he knew i was TOUGH (haha) and that he didnt want me to be scared or flinch! So he took me by surprise! SURPRISE IT WAS!! Darn that hurt!! But i would rather of it be done that way dont get me wrong... So i need to put proxide for a few days and bandage it up blah blha blah.... But if it happens again then i need to call him. But i tell you, i wont waste 11 hours on the road for him to slice me with a knife again! Ill let the ER do it here!!

Its been a long day, but glad that the fluid was clear, and hes sure its not a dangerous infection. I am going to take antibiotics for a few days, but nothing too bad.

Well im off to rest cause i am TIRED and SORE!
Diesel

 

[Phyllis]

Hope that's it Diesel- rest up this weekend- you deserve a good rest!!

 

[Cris N]

At least there was

At least there was

no flesh-eating bacteria Happy to hear it was nothing really serious. Rest, heal, & get ready to go back to work!

Cris

 

[Gnusgal]

I've "been there, done that." Sorry I missed your post earlier. But I'm glad to see it's worked out okay. Mine didn't. Don't know if you followed my "advanture" from last January, but mine ended up having a hematoma, which the surgeon tried to cut and squeeze out right there in my hospital room (ouch! :shock: ), and THEN turned into an infection... I just couldn't seem to win. I hope yours stays clean. Keep a close eye on it. And good luck!