On my fourth attempt (in the last couple of months) my IDC implant was finally a success! I was originally all set to have this surgery in August, but 2 days before it was to be done, both DOS and I tested positive for COVID, (both of us were vaccinated with the annual booster shots) and had to cancel the procedure at the last minute unfortunately. We then rescheduled for a month later, and there was a family emergency that required travel my doctor to travel so this got delayed once again. The third time however, was quite unusual as I made it to the operating table, was given anesthesia, but the procedure was canceled due to the hospital wanting it done one way, (I,e, implanting the ICD device and wires first, and then removing my tiny wireless MICRA pacemaker) while my doctor wisely wanted it done another way that he normally does it (removing the existing device first, and then implanting the wires and the ICD Device itself.) I woke up with nothing having been done unfortunately; this making the third go at it.
But on this fourth time and at a different hospital, I got my MICRA Pacemaker removed and my new ICD and wires implanted. An ICD stands for Internal Cardiac Defibrillator, which is both a heart defibrillator and a pacemaker combined, providing dual functionality. Since my last open heart surgery in September 2022, my heart’s pumping action (ejection fracture) has been nearly 1/2 of what a normal heart should be (i.e.25 vs 45 -50 respectively). Even with lots of meds it didn’t move the number much, so my Cardiologist and Surgeon (a Cardiac Electrophysiologist) wisely determined I needed an ICD. The ICD is implanted under the collar bone, so a full open heart surgery is not required. My surgery was scheduled for 95 minutes, however it took a bit over 5 hours as I had an existing MICRA (mini pacemaker with no wire leads), which had to first be removed. I then had to have 3 wires inserted from the new ICD device to my heart, and due to existing scaring tissue from the previous operation and larger size of my heart, it created a bit of a detour with the wiring to install it.
I”m greatly simplifying things, but the whole procedure and the heart’s vital function and inner workings in the body is absolutely fascinating to me. Then add in an ICD/Pacemaker and other heart procedures and the gift of life becomes so amazingly apparent and precious. I can’t image the training the doctors go thru with all their specialties of expertise.
Steve (DOS) and I got to the hospital at 5:45am for my 7:30am procedure time. Since this hospital was only 20 minutes from home, DOS drove me over the morning of the procedure (vs getting a hotel the night before).
We already had my pre-admission lab tests, paperwork, and consent forms done the week prior to the surgery, so we knew where to go at this early hour of the morning. This photo is from a week ago when I went in for the testing, and as the hospital overlooks Lake Monroe, set back slightly from the road separating it from the water, there were inflatable barriers to stop the water if necessary, from Hurricane Milton, which fortunately didn’t damage the hospital.
My admission at 5:45am on Thursday, was very quick, as well as quiet as this early hour. I was taken back to the pre-op area awhile later, while DOS stayed behind temporarily in the waiting room. After changing into my hospital gown, I was prepped, had a couple IV’s inserted in my arms, asked a bunch of questions, and was warmly tended to by a lead nurse, while a couple others came in as well. Lake Monroe is a smaller hospital, which quite frankly I appreciated, as it was more personal and didn’t feel so hectic like some of the others I’ve been to.
DOS was able to join my before I was pushed back to the procedure room and we chatted briefly before I went. I had spoken to the anesthesiologist and he and the other nursing and doctor staff put me at ease.
The procedure lasted a bit over 5 hours, (from the scheduled 95 minutes), but as said earlier it also involved removing my existing MICRA pacemaker I’ve had for two years, which is attached to my heart. Talk about a delicate and scary operation – I can’t even imagine the team’s experience that goes into making it happen!
After the operation I was in recovery, and later sent to my private room as I was staying overnight. I was pretty zonked out, but remember DOS meeting me in my room in the afternoon. During my overnight stay I was cared for very well, and DOS had spoken to my Doctor previously and filled me in on the details.
DOS stayed with me until 7:30pm and I got a decent nights sleep in the room, careful not to move my left arm much. I can move it, however I’m not to life anything (preferably nothing) over 5 pounds, and definitely not to raise my my elbow and left arm over my head so I don’t risk accidentally pulling one of the 3 wires out from the operation. Yikes! I didn’t have my CPAP machine with me, so the respiratory department brought this mammoth CPAP machine in for the night. I used it until about 3am, when I couldn’t sleep because of the noise and heavy pressure. I beeped the nurse, an they took it off of me for the rest of the night.
In the morning I had breakfast in the room, and DOS joined me around 9:30am. In addition to the charge nurse and others, my Cardiologist stopped by to check on me, as well as several other staff members. The respiratory department gave me a breathing treatment, and asked how the CPAP went last night. I told her it was a bit noisy, and the pressure setting were more than that on my small machine at home. She said many patients said that as well, and as it was only for one night that was fine. If I were staying multiple nights, she recommended me bringing my CPAP machine into my hospital room, but I was being discharged later in the day I told her, so that wouldn’t be necessary. DOS also got me an arm sling for my left arm, primarily for sleeping, but use at first so I wouldn’t be moving my arm to much. Here he demonstrates how to wear it:
I didn’t get discharged until late afternoon, as I had a couple more tests done, including a chest X-ray an some blood work, and I had to wait for the Hospalist Doctor to check on me, and officially discharge me. And then all of the hospital forms, signatures required, lab and x-ray results needed to be reviewed etc. I finally left the hospital around 5pm, and DOS drove me home. The sun was just starting to set over Lake Jessup as we passed over the long bridge on the 417 freeway, and I took a quick photo.
I was pretty tired out between the hospital night’s stay, the anesthesia, (having been on for 5 hours), and pain drugs, so I took a “pat down shower” with hospital bath wipes, before heading to bed. I can’t have a regular shower for a week so as to not disturb the incision site on my upper chest and left arm. I used my iPad a bit in bed before knocking out for the night. I was quite sore in several different place on my body, most likely from lying on the narrow OR bed for several hours.
The next day (Saturday) I felt like a new person, though I was still sore,, my head felt clear, and I was much more well rested. DOS and I are scheduled to go on a cruise in a week (not the best timing, but we’ve had this scheduled for quite a while, and the ICD surgery dates kept changing, now much closer to the cruise date). I got to rest at home for the weekend, before I had 3 doctor appointments starting on Tuesday, with one a day including my Surgeon, Primary Doctor, and Cardiologist.
My Tuesday follow-up appointment was with my surgeon, which went very well. He removed my bandage, and said it was clearing up well. He reminded not to move my left arm, and not to shower for a couple more days. Without listing his name, I must give a huge shout-out and THANK YOU to this and my other doctors and nurses as well. My surgeon (Cardiac Electrophysiologist) is one of the most compassionate, friendly, knowledgeable and best doctors I could imaging having for a procedure such as this. His care is so genuine and I am so glad to be under his care. Here is a selfie of him and myself before we left. Doctor, I can’t thank you and the others enough for all that you do!
Finally, DOS and I voted using “early voting” in the 2024 Presidential Election on the way home from my follow-up Doctor appointment. Florida has early voting and as this is an election year we want to vote early and during the week. While the polls were quite busy, we didn’t have a wait to checkin. So get out there any vote wherever you might live, and read and/or bring the sample ballot with you to make it quicker, especially for the local races and amendments which can be rather lengthy.
