Long Life Batteries

[Gunny]

I mentioned I was going to find out today how the batteries in my Pacemaker were doing. I saw the readout, 15 months projected time on these I have now. Being the curious sort I asked what we would do when time got short.

I am not eligible for general anesthesia because I went into respiratory arrest during my last implant. Woke up with a tube down my throat. I thought that was off the table. 
I'm told that when my battery level hits 6 months they will decide what to do, either local anesthesia and if the leads are still good a short day surgery and home. 

Should the leads look bad then I will be 'incubated' (not sure why that's the word they use) prior to anesthesia and hopefully avoid a tracheotomy. I'm pulling for the leads to be good. 

While they change the unit out my heart will be paced by a machine in the O.R..

I'm not sure about the VA doing it as the Head of Cardio-Version and three of his 'Fellows" were who were named in my lawsuit against the VA.. May explore my options.

Enough bad news.. 15 months is pretty good. 

Rob

 

[AbuelaLoca]

So get out there and get some livin' done!! If you come through Missouri, you better plan on stopping for coffee!

 

[WalkaboutTed]

Hey Gunny,
I'm a registered nurse and there is no way in f*****g hell would I go under even just conscious sedation (without intubation) with doctors taking care of me whom​ I am suing. I'm not saying anything will happen, ya know, but things are done or said in the OR or procedure room that will never see the light of day afterwards. Of course I deny ever having seen anything like that. It can be one's​ word against several others, especially with docs. They really are the ones with all the power in a hospital. Especially if there is more than one.

I don't know how it works with the VA, but if the only way for me to have another doc take care of me, I would move out of the service area and find new ones. In a civilian hospital, if someone shows up in the ER (especially a big medical center-and out of area) claiming symptoms of something that can be fixed there, they often will do the procedure. There's a law called the EMTALA act which that states a hospital must to take care of anyone needing emergent care, regardless of insurance status. And if the civilian hospital tries to transfer said patient back to the VA, the patient might spill the beans. If the civilian hospital still insists on transferring the VA patient back to the VA, that patient could always refuse the procedure. The operative word is "refuse". If a medical professional so much as lays a finger on you after you say the two words, "I refuse", they can be arrested for assault. They don't want you to know that.

Of course, I'm not suggesting that you should go get better medical care elsewhere. The above scenario is just something that an educated patient might do. Your good medical care and prognosis for a full, longer and healthy life depends on you being proactive.

I'm not trying to scare you or tell you what to do. Of course, this is all theoretical, because if a licensed medical professional told a patient to do such an awful thing as bending rules to ensure the best medical care possible, it might put his/her licensure at risk. I've spent my entire nursing career in patient education and I know how the system works. I'm just sayin'. This is your life.

All my best,
Ted

 

[Gunny]

Ted, lawsuit was settled several years ago with a "non-disclosure" clause for both sides. He and I have seen each other a few times and it was not 'old home week' if you know what I mean. I also have Tricare but it would mean starting from scratch with a new Dr...

He called several years ago wanting me to allow him to write a case study of the new ablation technique that was used on me and I refused.

The Mayo Clinic is a leader in what ails me, but I have to be accepted.

Thanks for the kind words,

Rob

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Hi Rob,

Well glad to hear the batteries aren't expected to go out in a month. Looks like you have a little time to enjoy the world before decisions have to be made so that's exactly what i'd do, go enjoy life and worry about the decision making when the time comes.

Matt

 

[WalkaboutTed]

No worries, Gunny. At least you have time to make an educated decision. I'm more used to patients having to deal with procedures/surgery NEXT WEEK or TOMORROW! You definitely want to avoid another "old home week" if you are at best semi-conscious and intubated. No slow code for you! Ever. You want to go kicking or on your terms.

It's difficult for me not​ to be blunt. Being a whistleblower sucks. Someone had to do it. Oh, non-disclosure. Yeah, I know all about THAT.

Doesn't make you too popular with the suits.
Ted

 

[WalkaboutTed]

Speaking of slow codes, here's a funny (or not so funny) article, regardless of where you stand:

http://thehappyhospitalist.blogspot.com/2011/04/slow-code-passes-special-commission.html

 

[Gunny]

Thanks to you both, Matt and Ted. It will take a day or so to catch up on my sleep, today has been on my mind for quite a while. Now I can concentrate on good things, getting on the road.

My best to both of you, Rob

 

[Gigi]

Hi Gunny, I came on tonight just to see if you had posted on your pacemaker visit. 15 months is really good news. I know you still have a decision down the line but at least you have some time to research it out and get a few plans figured out. Hope you get some much needed sleep!

 

[Gunny]

Thanks Gigi, your kind words mean a lot.

Rob

 

[rvpopeye]

Gunny
Whatever you decide , I'm sure you can kick the right butt to git'er done .

Ted
Great to hear an insider's view.........a great asset to the tribe..

 

[Gunny]

Thanks Popeye, it's reassuring to read the well wishes on the forum. It's not the fear of dying, hell we are all doing that, it's not knowing the details that confound me.

There are so many people on this forum that I would like to visit if for no other reason but to shake their hand.

Part of my PTSD makes me very emotional, extreme highs and low lows. When I saw the readout with my own eyes I started to cry, don't tell anyone, ok? Ha

Happens at odd times, I would give more examples but you get the idea ,I hope.

I'll be 67 in a week or two, never ever thought I would live that long.

I did enjoy reading Teds insights. I could get in trouble if I go in to any detail but she hit the nail on the head.

Now if my old truck quits breaking and the stars all line up I will leave close to my birthday.

I think I took my second sleeping pill so I best just read until it kicks in.

Good Night to all..Rob

 

[ArtW]

good to know it's not gonna be any time soon, maybe the bad Dr will move on in the meantime

 

[Gunny]

Thanks Art.... He's not a bad doctor, he's a lazy doctor. I can't detail what was done or not done. I'm pretty sure the VA will allow me to go outside the system. They don't like dealing with me and have told me that.

I've researched some of the better facilities and will make an attempt to have the procedure done there if accepted.

In the meantime I'll just travel as much as I can and hopefully quit worrying about it. Doesn't solve or help to sweat the small stuff, right?


Rob

 

[Ballenxj]

Thanks Art.... He's not a bad doctor, he's a lazy doctor. 

I didn't think the words "lazy" and "Doctor" belonged in the same sentence unless the word "not" was in front?
I certainly would not want a lazy Doctor.

 

[Gunny]

I didn't think the words "lazy" and "Doctor" belonged in the same sentence unless the word "not" was in front?
I certainly would not want a lazy Doctor.

It's hard to explain without breaking the 'Non Disclosure' agreement. He's well thought of among academic types and his peers. There is sooooo much more I would love to add but can't.

Rob

 

[Gigi]

Gunny, when us your birthday? Mine is coming uo soon too. Maybe we are birthday twins.

 

[Gunny]

7 April..1950, Back when dinosaurs walked the realm.

Rob

 

[ArtW]

Being well thought of by academics doesn't make you a good doctor, it's what your patients think that decides that, and in a doctor, 'bad' and 'lazy' are synonymous IMO, but never mind, there's a way for you to go elsewhere, that's what counts