Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Pacemaker appointment

Harlie's pacemaker appointment was yesterday in Fairfax.  I told her that they were just going to look at her - no hurt.  Well, they did an EKG (which she HATES because of the stickers).  Here's a photo of her getting an EKG from her pre-op day before pacemaker surgery...


Anyway, she looked similar to that yesterday.  Just not as calm.

When they program her pacemaker, we have to hold this magnet thing over her belly.  The magnet thing is attached to the machine and info is transmitted through the two.  She sat in my lap and I held the magnet thing up to her belly while she watched Rio on the iPad.  She was able to watch the whole movie while there.

I know there are worse things, but it isn't easy to sit there and listen to how difficult it is to pace her heart.  They would set it on some setting and then watch to see what her heart did.  Then I would hear them say, "Well, that puts her in wenckebach."  Or it would be some other negative reaction, that does this, this does that, etc.  For more than an hour.

At one point I was reassured that even though it is difficult to pace her now, they will eventually get it right for her heart.  And I want to believe her.  I do.  But there's a part of me that wonders what this means in the long term.  And to be honest, I just don't like to be reminded how complicated her heart is.  They asked me if I had any questions.  I had to chuckle to myself.  I said, "No.  I'm just going to have to trust that you know what you're doing here."  I don't see me being able to have an opinion that would contribute in any way.

I had no idea that a pacemaker would be so difficult for her.

While sitting there, as I said, Harlie was watching Rio.  Well, at one point the room got very quiet.  The doc turned to me and asked what she was watching.  I said, "Rio.  It's a really cute movie."  And right then a scene came one (remember that it was quieter than usual as they were watching her heart activity and not talking at the moment) when all of a sudden - rather loudly - one bird says to another, "I was just on my way to CLAW YOUR EYES OUT!"

Yeah, like I said, it's a really cute movie.

 Awkward!

After they were comfortable with her settings, they sent her to John, to put on another freaking Holter monitor.  Ugh.  We removed the stickers from the EKG at the same time, and that was a real fight.  I REALLY wish she would understand that if she just held still it wouldn't hurt as bad and it would be over sooner.

So, our next appointment is in a month.  Unless her Holter monitor results make them want to see her sooner.  I'll take it off sometime this afternoon and mail it back.

Okay, that's it for now.  More later!
Thanks!
~Christy

3 comments:

Ann said...

I hate that Harlie has to endure so much medical stuff all.the.time and I hate that you have to make such difficult decisions and endure all the medical stuff right along with her. But, you are such an awesome mom, Christy. Don't ever sell yourself short. You amaze me - and I know you never wanted to be "amazing", you just wanted to be a regular mom living a regular life. But, you got picked for something much bigger and you are doing a heck of a job keeping it all together. Hang in there ... one day at a time.

Love ya,
Ann

Kristen said...

Couldn't agree more with what Ann said above. She is right on! So, since she covered the serious stuff, I need to address the funny stuff in this post!

"CLAW YOUR EYES OUT!" That's hilarious! Did anyone say anything? I would have expected you to make some sarcastic comment. Anyway, too funny! I love how you can find the humor in an otherwise very stressful day! I will have to check out this "really cute" movie Rio! ;)

Susan said...

I agree completely with Ann and Kristen! I feel bad for Harlie being so miserable. We went through something similar with Ainsley a couple times this past month, and even when you know it doesn't hurt it's so hard to see them so upset. It's a little heartbreaking.

Heart Update

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