In & Out

What follows is my experience of the last 27 3/4 hours involving the installation and activation of the Boston Scientific Teligen ICD Dephibrillator, Model #E102. If you know anything about that particular ICD, you know that it is worlds apart from the Model # E101.

Susan drove me down to Sacred Heart Medical Center where we checked in at 8:30 AM (Not 9:30 like I thought) and proceeded to wait around. Mom showed up about 9:30.

They got me checked into a room quickly enough and got me all set up for the procedure which was scheduled for 11:30. We were told they were running ahead of schedule but that didn't last long. They ended up rolling me into the Operating Room at about Noon:30. They were all talking to me and getting set up and I tried to be attentive and check everything out.

The Anesthetist introduced himself and administered some sort of sleepy potion. I could feel it creeping up my arm. It stung as it climbed towards my shoulder. I was very calm and just ready to have the whole thing over with. I remember feeling a slight dizziness, and commenting on it.

Next they were tapping me on the shoulder and saying they were all done. About an hour and 45 minutes had passed. I was amazed because I felt like I was waking up from a nap. There was no pain and no grogginess at all.

They took me by to see Susan and then into a recovery room for about 45 minutes.

At that point, they rolled me through the cavernous labyrinth of hall ways, with Susan following. Deep into the bowels of the sixth floor we traveled until we arrived at our destination, Room 604. There, I met my roommate, John and we started to party for the rest of the day. "Party" may not be the right word. John is 90 and I feel 90 so perhaps, "Lay there" is a more descriptive verb.

Soon, the effects of the pain medication began to wear off and they plied me with some mild form of hydrocodone, which worked very well.

Susan left about 4:00 as she had to work at the Arena last night and there was really nothing for her to do in Room 406.

I was visited by my close, personal friend Mark, Pastor Gary with his wife Kim, and Ron and Kelly, who brought me balloons, Silly String to keep the Nurses in line, a Baby Ruth and a back up motorcycle battery, just in case.

They also brought a card that was signed by many of the frequenters of Scotty's Bar & Grill.

The night was relatively uneventful and I woke up around 6:30 and took a walk around the floor.

I was then visited throughout the morning by nurses, doctors, technicians and discharge papers.

Susan showed up around 10:30 and now I am home.

I am allowed very limited use of my left arm for the next three weeks and I will visit the Doctor on Tuesday to see how I'm doing.

All this typing has worn me out so I shall now retire to the TV Room and nap in front of the tube. So to close, here is a picture of a picture of me, my wrist band, and a reasonable facsimile of the ICD they implanted in my chest.