It was always going to happen and today it did. I received a letter from the hospital asking me to go for a mammogram as, being a lady of a certain age, I am entitled to free check-ups. I would be daft not to go, but immediately wondered if it was safe.
I called the Cardio-respiratory department at the hospital to ask the question and the receptionist went off to find out. A few minutes later she returned and told me the process is completely safe to have but because of the way they have to manipulate me on to the scanner plate it may cause some discomfort.
Somehow, that didn't surprise me as it seems the placing of the unit, being quite high, means I am prone to discomfort anyway, but I may be pleasantly surprised... maybe sitting high it may take the unit out of the way more and be ok.
I was advised to discuss the fact I have a pacemaker and any issues this may cause with the technician when I get there.
So, in a couple of weeks I will know how much discomfort the pacemaker will add to the process.
Little by little I learn more as the weeks go by.
Monday 29 April 2013
Saturday 6 April 2013
6 months on from a Pacemaker implant.
Having my pacemaker implanted in September was probably a good time of year to have the procedure. Living in the UK where we have cold, wet, snowy winters, I have a tendency to go into semi-hibernation through winter and this has meant my activity levels are less than through the summer. Once the warmth of spring arrives I am more often to be found out in the garden doing little jobs, or in the greenhouse with my plants. I take longer walks with the dogs and go visiting more places.
So, as March came and went still under the grips of winter I have had a good 6 months of rest and recovery and I'm sure this has been a great benefit to the way everything has healed.
In November we started beginner ballroom classes, once a week for an hour. Having my left arm lifted onto my partner's should was initially a little uncomfortable but I soon found that the pain had gone. Raising my arm to do turns under my partner's arm was a little more taxing but again, I soon got used to it and found that again, with a couple of weeks it no longer bothered me.
By early March we were learning a Rock 'n' Roll routine which put a little more work on my shoulder and week one seemed to raise a few jolts and aches but by week two these were much easier and now, there is no after effect from an hour dancing.
Today's warm sunshine has awakened ideas of golfing again. I haven't picked up a golf club since the implant. I know several people who have pacemakers and play golf, so I know it shouldn't be a problem but it's still something for me to try. I also feel I will be able to get out and about on my bike, finally. I need to get a carrier for the back of the car so I can go to some of the local parks and cycle in safety, but it will be a good way to exercise and get fit. My cholesterol levels are still a key indicator of my health and I am due another blood test in the next few weeks to see whether I have managed to keep it within the 'normal' level over the comfort-eating winter months.
And so, 6 months on, the scar has healed well and is not the first thing I notice in the mirror anymore. People have stopped asking me about it and I find I forget about it for the majority of the time. There are triggers that remind me, such as walking near a working microwave and using my mobile phone with my left hand, every now and again I realise I'm closer than I should be, but it's nice that it doesn't dominate my every thought as it used to.
It's strange to think that this time last year I knew nothing about any of this. I had yet to have my accident that started the whole process. I am glad that June 8th falls on a weekend this year. It means I can avoid driving on the anniversary of the accident and avoid any repetition of events that led to a very strange 6 months.
This summer I have to remember not to sit with direct sun on my scar. Knowing British summers, this may not be such an issue. If we travel abroad I will need to use factor 50 sun screen on my scar at all times and keep out of direct sun as much as possible. Other than that, bring on summer...
I'm ready to meet it head on.
So, as March came and went still under the grips of winter I have had a good 6 months of rest and recovery and I'm sure this has been a great benefit to the way everything has healed.
In November we started beginner ballroom classes, once a week for an hour. Having my left arm lifted onto my partner's should was initially a little uncomfortable but I soon found that the pain had gone. Raising my arm to do turns under my partner's arm was a little more taxing but again, I soon got used to it and found that again, with a couple of weeks it no longer bothered me.
By early March we were learning a Rock 'n' Roll routine which put a little more work on my shoulder and week one seemed to raise a few jolts and aches but by week two these were much easier and now, there is no after effect from an hour dancing.
Today's warm sunshine has awakened ideas of golfing again. I haven't picked up a golf club since the implant. I know several people who have pacemakers and play golf, so I know it shouldn't be a problem but it's still something for me to try. I also feel I will be able to get out and about on my bike, finally. I need to get a carrier for the back of the car so I can go to some of the local parks and cycle in safety, but it will be a good way to exercise and get fit. My cholesterol levels are still a key indicator of my health and I am due another blood test in the next few weeks to see whether I have managed to keep it within the 'normal' level over the comfort-eating winter months.
And so, 6 months on, the scar has healed well and is not the first thing I notice in the mirror anymore. People have stopped asking me about it and I find I forget about it for the majority of the time. There are triggers that remind me, such as walking near a working microwave and using my mobile phone with my left hand, every now and again I realise I'm closer than I should be, but it's nice that it doesn't dominate my every thought as it used to.
It's strange to think that this time last year I knew nothing about any of this. I had yet to have my accident that started the whole process. I am glad that June 8th falls on a weekend this year. It means I can avoid driving on the anniversary of the accident and avoid any repetition of events that led to a very strange 6 months.
This summer I have to remember not to sit with direct sun on my scar. Knowing British summers, this may not be such an issue. If we travel abroad I will need to use factor 50 sun screen on my scar at all times and keep out of direct sun as much as possible. Other than that, bring on summer...
I'm ready to meet it head on.
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