ZAPPER/Update June/2000

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http://www.ZapLife.org/update2.htm

ZapUpdate

July 6th 2000

Greetings Everyone!

Brain went to lunch last week. I just realized I didn't put the June update online. Here it is... with a few extra items!

First update... please urge ALL your professional care givers to check-in here and take part in an exciting project. Do you recall the previous work of Maneesh Shrivastav? Our readers responded to a survey he conducted while he was in graduate school... and then gave us a fine article about the results: A Comprehensive Analysis of Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillators. This time he wants to survey physicians, nurses, technicians, engineers, etc. who treat those of us with pacemakers. Maneesh just got the protocols approved and shipped us his survey. So - PLEASE - ask those who treat you to take a few minutes to respond to: Cardiac pacemaker design selection preferences or direct them to this URL http://www.ZapLife.org/pacemakersurvey.html. Maneesh says he will have another report for us on this project in early 2001.

Speaking of surveys... we have now cut off voting on the Zap•Poll in which we asked:

Question: Do you want warning beeps prior to a Zap?

Final Poll Results

Votes

Bar GraphResponses

59%I DO want my Medtronic ICD to warn me. 11%I do NOT want my Medtronic ICD to warn me. 23%I DO want my CPI/Guidant ICD to warn me. 5%I do NOT want my CPI/Guidant ICD to warn me. 2%I have no feelings on this subject.

Four of the Medtronic YES votes (about 2%) came from Ventritex users. Overall, a large majority (82%) of those voting want to have the warning option. I was surprised that I am in such a small minority - but I personally want no advance warning for fear of developing the "Fireman Syndrome" - anxiety waiting for the bell to ring. One final note, many wrote to say their devices already have the option. That was news to me, as I was only aware of the low battery warning tones.

Regardless.. I trust our many readers within the ICD industry pass along the survey results!

The last couple months has seen MUCH progress in arrhythmia research - as well as successful efforts to give more and more people access to life saving portable defibrillators. Ironically, I find myself praising my opponent in the Florida Congressional race, Mike Bilirakis. He has become a staunch advocate for making the devices more available - in places such as federal buildings. If your Representatives have not taken a stand, take a few moments to contact them - the lives of people close to you may depend on it! CLICK HERE to email or phone your member of Congress. As for the research... check out the NEWS PAGE and ARCHIVE to see what discoveries have been made public to improve our quality of life.

Also, the popularity of the Zap•Chats and use of the Zapper•BBS are increasing all the time. Every week, new issues are raised and solutions shared. It's really inspiring to see the dynamics of all of you networking. I am so proud to make this service available. Incidentally, we are leaving the site up on the old URL as well as our new home at www.ZapLife.org - but please change your bookmarks to the use new pathways.

As many of you know, one of our more famous readers is the well respected gardening author, Ted . His new book "Country Gardening" was just published by Harry N. Abrams and People Magazine featured the book in the next issue as one of their garden book picks for this year. Publisher's Weekly, should any of you have access to it, gave it a starred review. That's very good news, as they don't do that very often.

You can order Country Gardening : Design Ideas and a Practical Guide via amazon.com for $27.96. Click either the cover art or CLICK HERE.

"Theodore" says he'll be glad to have your copy autographed... let him know by emailing him at Theo1415@...

That's all for now. Stay well!

Duffey,

Zapper Publisher