New to the group

[Guest guest]

Chet,

Welcome to THA group

I received my ICD in Dec. '99. Had two bouts with V-tach, lots of external

defirillations, thus the ICD.

If you have the time and opportunity, come and also join us at the <A

HREF= " http://www.duff.net/zapper/ " >The ZAPPER</A> web site. On the left of

the page you'll see several options such as Front Page, Archives,

Zapper•BBS, Zap•Chat, etc. Feel free to visit any of these sights, and

hopefully see you on the Zap•Chat.

Jon Duffy is doing a marvelous job maintaining this pages.

[Guest guest]

Chet....

Yep, you came to the right place! Welcome, and nice to meet you. I'm

not

the ICD patient in our family..... husband is. You'll find lots of

answers to your

questions here, and some good friends too.

Sue

--

" She was not quite what you would call refined.

She was not quite what you would call unrefined.

She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot. "

-- Mark Twain

Rich and Sue Owens

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/7457/index3.html

http://www.nothnbut.net/~reo77/aurora.html

[Guest guest]

Chet - I had an icd implanted in 1998, but didn't join the group until 2000

since I was computer illiterate. My icd has only zapped me twice. Once in

June of 98 and once in October of that year. My doctor then reprogrammed

it. After the implant I could not drive for 6 months. I have found the

information obtained through the group and the support of the members by

relating their experiences invaluable. I am not acquainted with anyone who

has an icd so it helps to hear from others in the same boat. Lots of Luck

to You - Beverly

New to the group

> My name is Chet.

>

> I'm looking for a support/information group and hope I have found the

right

> one.

>

> I was just discharged from the hospital after another bout with congestive

> heart failure and heart block. The did a test (EPS) and found that I'm at

> high risk for sudden death and they have scheduled me for an ICD implant

on

> March 6. They told me that during the test, they were able to put me into

> ventricular defrib very easily. I have a very low heart rate 40's and 50's

> and there is very little medication that they can give me for CHF because

it

> lowers the heart rate even further. The doc said I would be using the

> pacemaker part most of the time because of it.

>

> I'm 58 years old and have a long history of heart problems since the age

of

> 42. I've had 2 heart attacks, by-pass surgery and stents implanted.

>

> I'm in shock from all the this and would like to talk with people who have

> this implant. I have no idea what to expect after the implant, i.e., am I

> going to be shocked by this device all the time, what's it feel like, do I

> dare drive, etc.

>

> I really don't know what questions to ask yet. I just need to hear from

> people who have the ICD. Any input would be appreciated.

>

> Chet

> cgunther1@...

>

>

>

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

[Guest guest]

Chet:

This is THE place.

Nowhere else will you find the same source of medical news and information

(Thank you again and again, Jon Duffey!) on what concerns us most and also

find a large very diverse group of individuals (world wide) with exactly the

same interest in life with an AICD. You will learn a huge amount about the

technical and medical aspects of your life from their experiences and be

able to ask the most important and specific questions on your mind to the

group and later to your cardio care providers. The sharing of ideas and

experiences will give you the comfort of having constantly on hand resources

that no medical provider can ever give at that level. (And of course it

should be noted that we are not doctors, but our experiences reflect our own

knowledge of our bodies and how they have dealt with the AICD and the

accompanyiong medications, medical tests and cardiac care.)

This site will also provide you with inspirational comfort that you may want

or need in difficult times. The amount of compassion I have seen amongst

the people in this group is wondeful indicator of the brotherhood

(sisterhood? gotta be politically correct nowadays) of

man/woman/genderoptional humans. The biggest difference is that the

compassion comes from the 'been-there-done-that " people who really do know

what it is like.

And finally there is the matter of just having on-line friends with whom to

chat, joke, complain, post something, or whatever. Of course you have to

put up with our chatting, joking, complaining, posting and whatevers too,

but there is always the delete button, and no one ever is offended.

So if you want to know what this board is like, here are a few descriptions:

It is recovery without therapy.

It is therapy without the lecturing.

It is lecturing without the b.s.

It is b.s. without the stink.

But unfortunately there are also my bad jokes that really do stink some

(most? all?) of the time.

Best.

Bill

[Guest guest]

Bill, unfortunately your jokes are what have gotten me through many a day. Have had some jokes that I have thought twice about posting myself.

This board has helped me learn a lot. I can ask the doctor questions that make him think. I learned a lot in the first 2 weeks on the Zap BBS. Our EP Dr has even recomended this site to some of his patients. I may not post that much, but I am in the background, reading and absorbing.

Yes, Thank you Duffey!!!

Gail

But unfortunately there are also my bad jokes that really do stink some(most? all?) of the time

[Guest guest]

Chet,

I have e-mailed you directly but I wanted to say that this site and the

Bulletin Board are great places to get the real scoop on what it is like to

live with an ICD. The Dr. can do the medical parts, but the mental and

emotional parts of living with these devices can be just as challenging.

So, just fire away with your questions........

Doug

New to the group

> My name is Chet.

>

> I'm looking for a support/information group and hope I have found the

right

> one.

>

> I was just discharged from the hospital after another bout with congestive

> heart failure and heart block. The did a test (EPS) and found that I'm at

> high risk for sudden death and they have scheduled me for an ICD implant

on

> March 6. They told me that during the test, they were able to put me into

> ventricular defrib very easily. I have a very low heart rate 40's and 50's

> and there is very little medication that they can give me for CHF because

it

> lowers the heart rate even further. The doc said I would be using the

> pacemaker part most of the time because of it.

>

> I'm 58 years old and have a long history of heart problems since the age

of

> 42. I've had 2 heart attacks, by-pass surgery and stents implanted.

>

> I'm in shock from all the this and would like to talk with people who have

> this implant. I have no idea what to expect after the implant, i.e., am I

> going to be shocked by this device all the time, what's it feel like, do I

> dare drive, etc.

>

> I really don't know what questions to ask yet. I just need to hear from

> people who have the ICD. Any input would be appreciated.

>

> Chet

> cgunther1@...

>

>

>

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Everybody;

Here is Stacey's address at the hospital if you just send your cards as stacy18 she'll get them she said. She is going in for a procedure tomorrow so say a little prayer for her will ya. Take Care, TURK

Stacey18

Riley Hospital

Nursing Unit 3A

702 Barnhill Drive

Indianapolis, IN 46202

Re: New to the group

Chet:This is THE place.Nowhere else will you find the same source of medical news and information(Thank you again and again, Jon Duffey!) on what concerns us most and alsofind a large very diverse group of individuals (world wide) with exactly thesame interest in life with an AICD. You will learn a huge amount about thetechnical and medical aspects of your life from their experiences and beable to ask the most important and specific questions on your mind to thegroup and later to your cardio care providers. The sharing of ideas andexperiences will give you the comfort of having constantly on hand resourcesthat no medical provider can ever give at that level. (And of course itshould be noted that we are not doctors, but our experiences reflect our ownknowledge of our bodies and how they have dealt with the AICD and theaccompanyiong medications, medical tests and cardiac care.)This site will also provide you with inspirational comfort that you may wantor need in difficult times. The amount of compassion I have seen amongstthe people in this group is wondeful indicator of the brotherhood(sisterhood? gotta be politically correct nowadays) ofman/woman/genderoptional humans. The biggest difference is that thecompassion comes from the 'been-there-done-that" people who really do knowwhat it is like.And finally there is the matter of just having on-line friends with whom tochat, joke, complain, post something, or whatever. Of course you have toput up with our chatting, joking, complaining, posting and whatevers too,but there is always the delete button, and no one ever is offended.So if you want to know what this board is like, here are a few descriptions:It is recovery without therapy.It is therapy without the lecturing.It is lecturing without the b.s.It is b.s. without the stink.But unfortunately there are also my bad jokes that really do stink some(most? all?) of the time.Best.BillPlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Thank you, and yes, I will check it out.

Chet

Chet,

Welcome to THA group

I received my ICD in Dec. '99. Had two bouts with V-tach, lots of external

defirillations, thus the ICD.

If you have the time and opportunity, come and also join us at the <A

HREF= " http://www.duff.net/zapper/ " >The ZAPPER</A> web site. On the left of

the page you'll see several options such as Front Page, Archives,

Zapper•BBS, Zap•Chat, etc. Feel free to visit any of these sights,

and

hopefully see you on the Zap•Chat.

Jon Duffy is doing a marvelous job maintaining this pages.

[Guest guest]

Chet,

Welcome to THA group

I received my ICD in Dec. '99. Had two bouts with V-tach, lots of external

defirillations, thus the ICD.

If you have the time and opportunity, come and also join us at the <A

HREF= " http://www.duff.net/zapper/ " >The ZAPPER</A> web site. On the left of

the page you'll see several options such as Front Page, Archives,

Zapper•BBS, Zap•Chat, etc. Feel free to visit any of

these

sights, and

hopefully see you on the Zap•Chat.

Jon Duffy is doing a marvelous job maintaining this pages.

I have spent quite a bit of time at this site and I have a lot more to read.

Great site and well maintained.

Thanks

Chet

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: Dave & Gail Forbes

> Bill, unfortunately your jokes are what

> have gotten me through many a day.

Gail, you really are a lot sicker than your cardios know. The only thing my joke gets me through is urination.

> Have had some jokes that I have

>thought twice about posting myself.

Never been a problem for me. Anyone can tell you I don't even think once.

Best.

Bill

[Guest guest]

hi everybody,

i remember the technician in the cath lab inserting the syringe for the

versed into my iv.......he looked down at me and said " say goodnight

bob " .....i dont even remember if i said goodnight or not....

next thing i knew i was wide awake in the recovery room asking for

coffee....they gave it to me to...

apparantly penna has no restrictions on driving.......i was shocked twice

the first month i had it.....and neither of them knocked me out......so, im

fairly confident that should i be shocked while driving ill be okay....it

is a year since my last therapy and what i remember most about would

compare to someone jumping at your from the bushes.......just a scary

event......

bob in pa ( ps......the first time i get shocked and lose

consciousness id voluntarily give up driving.....i dont see anything else

one could do)

---

[This E-mail scanned for viruses by IAS, an Archiventure Company]

[Guest guest]

Chet... You've found a terrific support group here... I hope you read

all that Duffey sends via his newsletter 'cause he sends some great

info ... also, if you stick around this board you'll find that all

here are very willing to help you in any way they can... I was dx

w/Bradycardia & Ventricular Tachycardia in '90 and recieved my first

ICD in July of '94, the second one in Nov. of '98... like you, in EP

study they were able to put me in V-fib easily and I was told I'm

prone to cardiac sudden death... I don't get paced for V-tach as I

slip into V-fib too quickly for that... I do get paced daily for

brady... but not so much so that I would need to have a pacemaker

along w/the ICD... some do need both... I would ask if that's going

to be a possiblilty in your case... as far as driving goes, it seems

to differ in each state and w/each doctor so you'd need to ask your

EP about that... here in NJ I was not allowed to drive for one

year... but I found that to be impossible and I began driving 6 weeks

after the implant ... I host a support chat for those on AOL under

the s/n ICDJES@... and have some good sites in my FP under

that 'name that I will try to send your way... good luck to you and

not to fret... it's not as bad as it all seems right now... soon

you'll be offering advice to others about to join our group... Good

luck on the 6th... hope to chat w/you more before then.

JES in NJ...

God Bless America

> My name is Chet.

>

> I'm looking for a support/information group and hope I have found

the right

> one.

>

> I was just discharged from the hospital after another bout with

congestive

> heart failure and heart block. The did a test (EPS) and found that

I'm at

> high risk for sudden death and they have scheduled me for an ICD

implant on

> March 6. They told me that during the test, they were able to put

me into

> ventricular defrib very easily. I have a very low heart rate 40's

and 50's

> and there is very little medication that they can give me for CHF

because it

> lowers the heart rate even further. The doc said I would be using

the

> pacemaker part most of the time because of it.

>

> I'm 58 years old and have a long history of heart problems since

the age of

> 42. I've had 2 heart attacks, by-pass surgery and stents implanted.

>

> I'm in shock from all the this and would like to talk with people

who have

> this implant. I have no idea what to expect after the implant,

i.e., am I

> going to be shocked by this device all the time, what's it feel

like, do I

> dare drive, etc.

>

> I really don't know what questions to ask yet. I just need to hear

from

> people who have the ICD. Any input would be appreciated.

>

> Chet

> cgunther1@s...

[Guest guest]

> Bill, unfortunately your jokes are what

> have gotten me through many a day.

Gail, you really are a lot sicker than your cardios know. The only thing my joke gets me through is urination.

's cardio knows I am the sic one in the bunch. I think his EP knows this to.

> Have had some jokes that I have

>thought twice about posting myself.

Never been a problem for me. Anyone can tell you I don't even think once.

tells me I should think more - I am developing hoof and mouth. Better known as puting ones foot in mouth. Getting to old so I better start thinking. Plus it looks a little dum.

Gail

Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Yes, Duffey does have a great newsletter as I'm finding out.

The cardiac nurse told me that I could not drive AFTER my first defib event

for 6 months. Apparently I can after they implant the unit. Let's hope I

don't have that first one.

He said I would be using the pacemaker most of the time because my upper and

lower chambers don't beat in sync or something along that line. I'll have to

find out more. He said that the defib may never have to " fire " . It's there

because of the high risk sudden death.

He also told me that the procedure is usually done under a local anesthetic,

but he would have to do me under a general. Not sure why. Maybe it's because

I physically fought them when they strapped me down to do the EPS test. I

told them " don't strap me down or hold me down while I'm awake " . They gave

me Virsid (sp) and I could still remember fighting them. I can't tolerate

being held down. Goes back to my childhood days.

Chet

> Chet... You've found a terrific support group here... I hope you read

> all that Duffey sends via his newsletter 'cause he sends some great

> info ... also, if you stick around this board you'll find that all

> here are very willing to help you in any way they can... I was dx

> w/Bradycardia & Ventricular Tachycardia in '90 and recieved my first

> ICD in July of '94, the second one in Nov. of '98... like you, in EP

> study they were able to put me in V-fib easily and I was told I'm

> prone to cardiac sudden death... I don't get paced for V-tach as I

> slip into V-fib too quickly for that... I do get paced daily for

> brady... but not so much so that I would need to have a pacemaker

> along w/the ICD... some do need both... I would ask if that's going

> to be a possiblilty in your case... as far as driving goes, it seems

> to differ in each state and w/each doctor so you'd need to ask your

> EP about that... here in NJ I was not allowed to drive for one

> year... but I found that to be impossible and I began driving 6 weeks

> after the implant ... I host a support chat for those on AOL under

> the s/n ICDJES@... and have some good sites in my FP under

> that 'name that I will try to send your way... good luck to you and

> not to fret... it's not as bad as it all seems right now... soon

> you'll be offering advice to others about to join our group... Good

> luck on the 6th... hope to chat w/you more before then.

>

> JES in NJ...

> God Bless America

[Guest guest]

Chet......

> The cardiac nurse told me that I could not drive AFTER my first defib

> event

> for 6 months. Apparently I can after they implant the unit. Let's hope

> I

> don't have that first one.

This is apparently a state-by-state thing. Rich (my husband) was never

told anything of the sort after he had his

ICD implanted, and got shocked 'inappropropriately' (there was a wiring

problem) by it a month

later. Twice. They fixed the wiring problem, and he hasn't been shocked

since. It DOES pace him quite a lot

tho. But that's okay.... it is doing what it was designed to do. And he

doesn't feel that at all.

> told them " don't strap me down or hold me down while I'm awake " . They

> gave

> me Virsid (sp) and I could still remember fighting them. I can't

> tolerate

> being held down. Goes back to my childhood days.

Versed. Supposed to not so much relieve pain, but erase your memory of

having felt pain. You

still feel it. Apparently, your conscious mind is so strong that you

wouldn't surrender to it, so the

general is best for you. Good luck, and hope you come back and let us

know how it goes. When

are you having it done, again?

Sue

--

" She was not quite what you would call refined.

She was not quite what you would call unrefined.

She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot. "

-- Mark Twain

Rich and Sue Owens

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/7457/index3.html

http://www.nothnbut.net/~reo77/aurora.html

[Guest guest]

May 6.

Chet

Re: Re: New to the group

>

>

> Chet......

>

> > The cardiac nurse told me that I could not drive AFTER my first defib

> > event

> > for 6 months. Apparently I can after they implant the unit. Let's hope

> > I

> > don't have that first one.

>

> This is apparently a state-by-state thing. Rich (my husband) was never

> told anything of the sort after he had his

> ICD implanted, and got shocked 'inappropropriately' (there was a wiring

> problem) by it a month

> later. Twice. They fixed the wiring problem, and he hasn't been shocked

> since. It DOES pace him quite a lot

> tho. But that's okay.... it is doing what it was designed to do. And he

> doesn't feel that at all.

>

>

> > told them " don't strap me down or hold me down while I'm awake " . They

> > gave

> > me Virsid (sp) and I could still remember fighting them. I can't

> > tolerate

> > being held down. Goes back to my childhood days.

>

> Versed. Supposed to not so much relieve pain, but erase your memory of

> having felt pain. You

> still feel it. Apparently, your conscious mind is so strong that you

> wouldn't surrender to it, so the

> general is best for you. Good luck, and hope you come back and let us

> know how it goes. When

> are you having it done, again?

> Sue

>

> --

> " She was not quite what you would call refined.

> She was not quite what you would call unrefined.

> She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot. "

> -- Mark Twain

>

> Rich and Sue Owens

> http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/7457/index3.html

> http://www.nothnbut.net/~reo77/aurora.html

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Re: Re: New to the group

> hi everybody,

>

> i remember the technician in the cath lab inserting the syringe for the

> versed into my iv.......he looked down at me and said " say goodnight

> bob " .....i dont even remember if i said goodnight or not....

When I had an Endoscopy and a Colonoscopy at the same time, they gave me the

versed and I was out of it within a few seconds. I don't remember a thing

until recovery.

> apparantly penna has no restrictions on driving.......i was shocked twice

> the first month i had it.....and neither of them knocked me out......so,

im

> fairly confident that should i be shocked while driving ill be okay....it

> is a year since my last therapy and what i remember most about would

> compare to someone jumping at your from the bushes.......just a scary

> event......

I was wondering about that. So far, I'm hearing that people go unconscious

for about 30 seconds, but it did not happen to you. I wonder if it has

something to do with the way they program the unit. Maybe yours kicked in

earlier before you reached the pass-out stage. I don't know but I'm real

interested in hearing what has happened to others when they were zapped. It

really concerns me to wonder if I'm driving, will it zap me hard enough to

cause an accident? Sure would not want that to happen.

>

> bob in pa ( ps......the first time i get shocked and lose

> consciousness id voluntarily give up driving.....i dont see anything else

> one could do)

I would too. I can't imagine never being able to drive again.

Chet

>

> ---

> [This E-mail scanned for viruses by IAS, an Archiventure Company]

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Chet and all... remember, it's not getting the ICD that mandates

whether or not we can drive... it's the loss of consciousness... I

had been blacking out all my life 'til they found the cause... in NJ

when you pass out, you must be 1 yr free of doing so before you may

resume driving... it's also the same for those w/seizures...

although, I know of one doc that had patient refrain for only 6

months... go figure \o/ ...

Chet...you're lucky you can take versed... I cannot... it absolutely

stops my heart to the point of my needing atropine to start it again :

( all my EP studies were done w/out so much as an aspirin and I

was " under " for both implants... my ICD is located in the abdomine...

the shoulder placement, as I understand it, isn't much unlike having

a pacemaker implanted and replacement ICD's are now being done in EP

labs... Yikes ... I've never, ever been zapped so I can't offer

you much info there ... hopefully, you'll be as me and won't have to

worry about what it's like... just know you'll have the ICD should

you ever need it

JES in NJ...

God Bless America

> Yes, Duffey does have a great newsletter as I'm finding out.

>

> The cardiac nurse told me that I could not drive AFTER my first

defib event

> for 6 months. Apparently I can after they implant the unit. Let's

hope I

> don't have that first one.

>

> He said I would be using the pacemaker most of the time because my

upper and

> lower chambers don't beat in sync or something along that line.

I'll have to

> find out more. He said that the defib may never have to " fire " .

It's there

> because of the high risk sudden death.

>

> He also told me that the procedure is usually done under a local

anesthetic,

> but he would have to do me under a general. Not sure why. Maybe

it's because

> I physically fought them when they strapped me down to do the EPS

test. I

> told them " don't strap me down or hold me down while I'm awake " .

They gave

> me Virsid (sp) and I could still remember fighting them. I can't

tolerate

> being held down. Goes back to my childhood days.

>

> Chet

>

>

>

> > Chet... You've found a terrific support group here... I hope you

read

> > all that Duffey sends via his newsletter 'cause he sends some

great

> > info ... also, if you stick around this board you'll find that all

> > here are very willing to help you in any way they can... I was dx

> > w/Bradycardia & Ventricular Tachycardia in '90 and recieved my

first

> > ICD in July of '94, the second one in Nov. of '98... like you, in

EP

> > study they were able to put me in V-fib easily and I was told I'm

> > prone to cardiac sudden death... I don't get paced for V-tach as I

> > slip into V-fib too quickly for that... I do get paced daily for

> > brady... but not so much so that I would need to have a pacemaker

> > along w/the ICD... some do need both... I would ask if that's

going

> > to be a possiblilty in your case... as far as driving goes, it

seems

> > to differ in each state and w/each doctor so you'd need to ask

your

> > EP about that... here in NJ I was not allowed to drive for one

> > year... but I found that to be impossible and I began driving 6

weeks

> > after the implant ... I host a support chat for those on AOL under

> > the s/n ICDJES@a... and have some good sites in my FP under

> > that 'name that I will try to send your way... good luck to you

and

> > not to fret... it's not as bad as it all seems right now... soon

> > you'll be offering advice to others about to join our group...

Good

> > luck on the 6th... hope to chat w/you more before then.

> >

> > JES in NJ...

> > God Bless America

[Guest guest]

Hello Chet;

Welcome to the group. I have never lost conciousness except for when i was in the hospital eps lab 10 years ago then i didn't have a defib but last year in February (WOW its been a year in Feb 2nd, Happy B'day Defib) they put my defib in and got shocked alot the first three months since then thanks to three magical meds (for me) called Amiodrone, Toprol and Digoxin it's been fine so far (THANK GOD). Getting shocked is not so bad, it's the unknown fact that, when you're going to get shocked that scares the hell out of you. They (The eps specialists) said that i was allergic to sodalol that's why i got shocked alot but they did'nt find out until three months later. Thank God I am therapy free for the past nine months. After getting shocked you get scared alot and start to panic for a while but you get used to it. Bye the way they put me under all the way too so i dont even remember counting bacwards form 10 to 1 i only remember saying 10, 9 and the rest is history.Anyway, Good Luck Good Health and Good Heart. TURK

Re: Re: New to the group> hi everybody,>> i remember the technician in the cath lab inserting the syringe for the> versed into my iv.......he looked down at me and said "say goodnight> bob".....i dont even remember if i said goodnight or not....When I had an Endoscopy and a Colonoscopy at the same time, they gave me theversed and I was out of it within a few seconds. I don't remember a thinguntil recovery.> apparantly penna has no restrictions on driving.......i was shocked twice> the first month i had it.....and neither of them knocked me out......so,im> fairly confident that should i be shocked while driving ill be okay....it> is a year since my last therapy and what i remember most about would> compare to someone jumping at your from the bushes.......just a scary> event......I was wondering about that. So far, I'm hearing that people go unconsciousfor about 30 seconds, but it did not happen to you. I wonder if it hassomething to do with the way they program the unit. Maybe yours kicked inearlier before you reached the pass-out stage. I don't know but I'm realinterested in hearing what has happened to others when they were zapped. Itreally concerns me to wonder if I'm driving, will it zap me hard enough tocause an accident? Sure would not want that to happen.>> bob in pa ( ps......the first time i get shocked and lose> consciousness id voluntarily give up driving.....i dont see anything else> one could do)I would too. I can't imagine never being able to drive again.Chet>> ---> [This E-mail scanned for viruses by IAS, an Archiventure Company]>>>

[Guest guest]

First my prays go with Staice and hope she is back with us very soon I miss her so much as Turk knows only to well

I have had some problems myself but back to normal what ever this is ~S~ if someone knows let me know Please ~S~

I welcome all the new people to this group and hope we can help eveyone out at sometime after all that is what we are here for to help each other out.

Sorry this is Colin Kerridge of Zapper UK address http://www.zapperuk.freeuk.com we have lots of things on the site to help you and you are more then welcome to pop over and see us.

All keep well and no ZAPS ok like me ~S~

Colin

TURK <goturk1@...> wrote:

Hi Everybody;

Here is Stacey's address at the hospital if you just send your cards as stacy18 she'll get them she said. She is going in for a procedure tomorrow so say a little prayer for her will ya. Take Care, TURK

Stacey18

Riley Hospital

Nursing Unit 3A

702 Barnhill Drive

Indianapolis, IN 46202

Re: New to the group

Chet:This is THE place.Nowhere else will you find the same source of medical news and information(Thank you again and again, Jon Duffey!) on what concerns us most and alsofind a large very diverse group of individuals (world wide) with exactly thesame interest in life with an AICD. You will learn a huge amount about thetechnical and medical aspects of your life from their experiences and beable to ask the most important and specific questions on your mind to thegroup and later to your cardio care providers. The sharing of ideas andexperiences will give you the comfort of having constantly on hand resourcesthat no medical provider can ever give at that level. (And of course itshould be noted that we are not doctors, but our experiences reflect our ownknowledge of our bodies and how they have dealt with the AICD and theaccompanyiong medications, medical tests and cardiac care.)This site will also provide you with inspirational comfort that you may wantor need in difficult times. The amount of compassion I have seen amongstthe people in this group is wondeful indicator of the brotherhood(sisterhood? gotta be politically correct nowadays) ofman/woman/genderoptional humans. The biggest difference is that thecompassion comes from the 'been-there-done-that" people who really do knowwhat it is like.And finally there is the matter of just having on-line friends with whom tochat, joke, complain, post something, or whatever. Of course you have toput up with our chatting, joking, complaining, posting and whatevers too,but there is always the delete button, and no one ever is offended.So if you want to know what this board is like, here are a few descriptions:It is recovery without therapy.It is therapy without the lecturing.It is lecturing without the b.s.It is b.s. without the stink.But unfortunately there are also my bad jokes that really do stink some(most? all?) of the time.Best.BillPlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Chet... here is a site I stumbled upon while going thru my FP

folder... http://www.medtronic.com/tachy/patient/paemotio.html ... I

hope it helps you learn more about ICD's and all that goes along

w/getting one... I'm a little confused... your initial post stating

your implant would be on March 6th and later posts state May 6th...

which is it?

JES from ICD Support chat

God Bless America

The most important things in life aren't things!

> My name is Chet.

>

> I'm looking for a support/information group and hope I have found

the right

> one.

>

> I was just discharged from the hospital after another bout with

congestive

> heart failure and heart block. The did a test (EPS) and found that

I'm at

> high risk for sudden death and they have scheduled me for an ICD

implant on

> March 6>

> Chet

> cgunther1@s...

[Guest guest]

Thank you. I'll check out that site.

I get the implant March 6. Sorry. I get confused easily at my age.

Chet

Re: New to the group

> Chet... here is a site I stumbled upon while going thru my FP

> folder... http://www.medtronic.com/tachy/patient/paemotio.html ... I

> hope it helps you learn more about ICD's and all that goes along

> w/getting one... I'm a little confused... your initial post stating

> your implant would be on March 6th and later posts state May 6th...

> which is it?

>

> JES from ICD Support chat

> God Bless America

> The most important things in life aren't things!

>

>

> > My name is Chet.

> >

> > I'm looking for a support/information group and hope I have found

> the right

> > one.

> >

> > I was just discharged from the hospital after another bout with

> congestive

> > heart failure and heart block. The did a test (EPS) and found that

> I'm at

> > high risk for sudden death and they have scheduled me for an ICD

> implant on

> > March 6>

> > Chet

> > cgunther1@s...

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Colin;

Nice to have you back buddy, is doing well. They did a whole bunch of tests and she is OK. Just Talked to her and also her dad is going home today with his ICD and he is a little scared. He said" I can't wait to talk to and write to your friends" because he want to join in the zap group(big difference from when he didn't have his ICD). I took the liberty and said that everybody is wishing him well I hope you don't mind and he sent his gratitudes. TURK

Re: New to the group

Chet:This is THE place.Nowhere else will you find the same source of medical news and information(Thank you again and again, Jon Duffey!) on what concerns us most and alsofind a large very diverse group of individuals (world wide) with exactly thesame interest in life with an AICD. You will learn a huge amount about thetechnical and medical aspects of your life from their experiences and beable to ask the most important and specific questions on your mind to thegroup and later to your cardio care providers. The sharing of ideas andexperiences will give you the comfort of having constantly on hand resourcesthat no medical provider can ever give at that level. (And of course itshould be noted that we are not doctors, but our experiences reflect our ownknowledge of our bodies and how they have dealt with the AICD and theaccompanyiong medications, medical tests and cardiac care.)This site will also provide you with inspirational comfort that you may wantor need in difficult times. The amount of compassion I have seen amongstthe people in this group is wondeful indicator of the brotherhood(sisterhood? gotta be politically correct nowadays) ofman/woman/genderoptional humans. The biggest difference is that thecompassion comes from the 'been-there-done-that" people who really do knowwhat it is like.And finally there is the matter of just having on-line friends with whom tochat, joke, complain, post something, or whatever. Of course you have toput up with our chatting, joking, complaining, posting and whatevers too,but there is always the delete button, and no one ever is offended.So if you want to know what this board is like, here are a few descriptions:It is recovery without therapy.It is therapy without the lecturing.It is lecturing without the b.s.It is b.s. without the stink.But unfortunately there are also my bad jokes that really do stink some(most? all?) of the time.Best.BillPlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Hi Turk

Thats the best news i have had today it will be great to speak to both of them then perhaps we can get things done for her with no problems, I can only hope.

When you speak to Stacie give her my love please and a big kiss LOL she needs it does she not.

I have at long last got my work done this morning thank goodness so I am back on track once more.

I hope all of you are well within the group, me and turk are always here for you to help you at any time if help is needed.

Keep well

Colin Kerridge of Zapper UK Trust Fund

TURK <goturk1@...> wrote:

Hi Colin;

Nice to have you back buddy, is doing well. They did a whole bunch of tests and she is OK. Just Talked to her and also her dad is going home today with his ICD and he is a little scared. He said" I can't wait to talk to and write to your friends" because he want to join in the zap group(big difference from when he didn't have his ICD). I took the liberty and said that everybody is wishing him well I hope you don't mind and he sent his gratitudes. TURK

Re: New to the group

Chet:This is THE place.Nowhere else will you find the same source of medical news and information(Thank you again and again, Jon Duffey!) on what concerns us most and alsofind a large very diverse group of individuals (world wide) with exactly thesame interest in life with an AICD. You will learn a huge amount about thetechnical and medical aspects of your life from their experiences and beable to ask the most important and specific questions on your mind to thegroup and later to your cardio care providers. The sharing of ideas andexperiences will give you the comfort of having constantly on hand resourcesthat no medical provider can ever give at that level. (And of course itshould be noted that we are not doctors, but our experiences reflect our ownknowledge of our bodies and how they have dealt with the AICD and theaccompanyiong medications, medical tests and cardiac care.)This site will also provide you with inspirational comfort that you may wantor need in difficult times. The amount of compassion I have seen amongstthe people in this group is wondeful indicator of the brotherhood(sisterhood? gotta be politically correct nowadays) ofman/woman/genderoptional humans. The biggest difference is that thecompassion comes from the 'been-there-done-that" people who really do knowwhat it is like.And finally there is the matter of just having on-line friends with whom tochat, joke, complain, post something, or whatever. Of course you have toput up with our chatting, joking, complaining, posting and whatevers too,but there is always the delete button, and no one ever is offended.So if you want to know what this board is like, here are a few descriptions:It is recovery without therapy.It is therapy without the lecturing.It is lecturing without the b.s.It is b.s. without the stink.But unfortunately there are also my bad jokes that really do stink some(most? all?) of the time.Best.BillPlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Dear Chet, Welcome to the wonderful world of people with their very own

battery chargers. This is a great bunch of people and they have all helped

me a great deal. I found my way in here in 1999 after have had my third icd.

I was literally on the edge no I think that maybe I was over the edge. I

was scared and frightened and out of control. I had had my first icd about 9

years before and after a lot of problems it broke got another and it broke

then got another and it malfunctioned ran away and hid without one only to

end up dead but thanks to God brought back two weeks before my daughters

wedding. I never wanted another icd but they told me it was my only hope I

still refused to all the doctor and shrinks and family ganged up and I got

one. Hated everyone including myself.

Long story short is this is 2002 I just became a Grandma for t he first time

and it is wonderful. I am so glad to be alive. I still have up and down

times and good and bad times. I still have fear and anxiety but I have a new

strength a lot of it is from the people here who carried me when I was

terrified.

You will go up and down and all over you will have some battles to face. I

am not sure how strong you are I thought I was made of steel but I found out

that a small worry can make into a bid nightmare and sometimes no matter what

I do the nightmare are still there. But then there is tomorrow and I survive.

Welcome

Sharon , the blunt one wit the big mouth