AND SO, THE DAY IS HERE…
I had my procedure on Tuesday, October 4, late morning, about 11:30 a.m. I did feel some discomfort, though I was sedated. After a short recovery period, I was in the car with my friend Jim, on the way home.
That evening—and for three days—I was in pain. I applied an ice pack 24/7 and took Tylenol every six hours. I fitfully slept in my recliner for three nights, only venturing to the comfort of my bed on Friday night. And that night I slept like a baby. I woke up that Saturday morning pain-free, and I haven’t looked back. No more ice pack, no more Tylenol.
I saw the doctor eight days later for a follow-up visit. Everything is fine. Of course, the device is just there; I don’t need it now, and I hope I never do. But should I go into ventricular fibrillation, I’ll be glad it’s there, giving my chest an electrical shock to return to a normal heart rate. Dr Stockton had told me in September that I may never need the device, but if I do, it’ll probably save my life.
Anotherthinghappenedduringmy post-op recovery at home: I realized that I am not immortal. I am now 76 years old as of October 30, and I realize I am getting old, from getting out of bed in the morning to trying to go to sleep late in the evening. I now have a device implanted in my chest that—if needed someday—will save my life.
However, someone once said, “The key to immortality is to live a life worth remembering first.”
I plan to rest and fully recuperate overthewinter,andIdolookforwardto presenting my lecture about the music of the Vietnam War era in the spring at local VFW and American Legion posts.
I’ve also been encouraged to write a “how-to” book. After 34 years in the real estate business, I’ve been working on The COMPLETE Guide to Selling Your House Without a Broker. The publication date is set for Spring of 2023.
And I’ve planned the final installment of this series about my defibrillator implant with a follow-up article at the beginning of summer. Look for it in June. Till then…
Daniel J. Jachimiak, BA, is a feature writer, journalist, and speaker. He can be reached at djachimiak@bex.net or 419-787-2036. ✲
