This would not have been a problem for me at 40 or 50 or even 60. But, at 72 this was very difficult to prevent things like cascading low blood sugar and other problems. I asked for a 2 pm operation to put my pacemaker in because I knew between 2 and 4 pm is my strongest biorhythm of the day where I walk our dog in the forest or on the beach several miles every day that I can. I figured this would be the best timing for me to endure a pacemaker put into my body and sewed in. They put it usually between your left chest and clavicle bone. I had thought they would put it on the right for some reason but I was wrong. They used 3 wires to make my heart function much more efficiently than it had been.
The major change now about 2 days into a defibrillator pacemaker (there are many types depending upon the needs of the patient). They are extremely high tech like having a miniature macbook pro laptop installed in your chest with a battery that lasts about 10 years time before it or the pacemaker itself needs to be replaced. I could see the wisdom of putting a new pacemaker because of advancing technology if it is better than what they have now 10 or 20 years from now.
If you don't know what a defibrillator is it is a device that will restart your heart if it stops suddenly for some reason. So, this computer they install between your left clavicle and chest over your heart can (theoretically and actually) restart your heart if it stops suddenly. It's designed to do that. Another advancement is that you don't have to worry about microwave cookers in the kitchens anymore either with this new type of defibrillator pacemaker. My father in law had one for about 20 or more years and lived until 98 years of age and also had two hip replacements as well. And my wife's bio mom is 90 presently and totally clear thinking still with a pacemaker at least 10 or more years too.
So, this technology has often increased lifespans by 10 to 20 years or more if the person is in their 20s or 30s when they first get one.
So, the hardest part for me was when I had to wait until 4pm because by 3:30 I hadn't drunk any water or eaten anything already for 17 hours at that point (except for a few sips to take my medicines).
So, about 3:30 I was starting to realize I wasn't quite right physically or perception wise. Luckily, they sent a male nurse in to get me who was very friendly and articulate and joked with me which helped a lot, especially when they took me into a room which reminded me of the inside of a UFO with incredible technology that they use for doing this sort of thing. I was lucky to be on Medicare at 72 because I imagine everything I experienced would have cost around 100,000 dollars or more including operation, care and technology so far.
Then they gave me something they called both Joy Juice or Tequila and then covered my face with a blanket I could see light through while laying on my back. But, first they put oxygen up my nose so I got enough oxygen. They give you Joy Juice or Tequila (Just a name for a medicine cocktail) through an IV into your arm and soon though you are conscious you are also happy even though someone (the doctor is digging into your chest above your heart and just below your left clavicle. So, the most pleasant experience (sort of like meditating) was during the operation where you are happily medicated in an alternate reality where you are contemplating the voices you hear and the threads of the blue blanket covering your face. Since I have studied with Tibetan Lamas I found this to be one of the best meditations I have ever had in some ways and the doctor said I was a really good patient.
So, the operation was the most pleasant experience and then they slid me off sideways off the operating table back onto a movable gurney which took me to my private hospital room with an adjustable bed, bathroom shower and sink and toilet and a TV with private sound controller that I could hold up to my ear so I wouldn't disturb other nurses or patients in other rooms nearby.
They put my left arm in a sling because by now I was starting to feel pain from the stitches where they put the pacemaker in. And by now I was voraciously hungry because it was now 6:30 pm with no food or water since 11pm the night before. So, they brought me a bottle of water and gave me some of my medicines and I called and ordered food for dinner from the hospital kitchen. I had to call several times because the line was busy but finally was able to order the food I wanted from their menu sort of like a take out restaurant in the hospital and then it soon was delivered on a table that fits over the bed to eat more easily.
But, being in a hospital isn't usually fun because you are in pain usually there even though they did give me 3 tylenols which allowed me to sleep about 1 1/2 hours from about 10:30 pm to maybe midnight or 1 am. Then they woke me up or just walked in a lot about every 1/2 hour or so until 8 or 9 am which meant I was very tired because I only got maybe at most 3 to 4 hours sleep. The doctor came in and said that I could leave around 10:30 AM so I only had to be in the hospital total about 22 hours which was nice to make the technology was working properly.
I realized today that I likely could give up any meat in my diet because I was only doing that to cover over the feelings that I might die within a year or two. When your body gets really distressed you kind of know that if something isn't done you are going to die within a couple of years.
Now after this has been installed I realized I might live to 80, 90, 100 or more because of this new type of defibrillator pacemaker. So, this gives me a feeling of great peace to not be facing imminent death within a year or two now.
The stress of the coronavirus and all the changes on earth will be much more bearable not having to worry about dying soon on top of everything else.
The two things that saved my life since December 1st are Entresto and this Defibrillator Pacemaker.
I'm writing all this to help you have courage to save your own lives like I had to muster to start taking Entresto (I had had many bad side effects on prescribed drugs and didn't want to try a new one) But, Entresto (at least for me (works great). And so far this defibrillator pacemaker has given me great peace of not having to worry about dying anytime soon.
By God's Grace
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