In 5 days I will undergo the implantation of a subcutaneous ICD for the purpose of preventing Sudden Death Syndrome. SDS is a complication, and often the first symptom of, HOCM. HOCM is hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, a genetic heart disorder inherited from my father's side of the family. My father had HOCM but died of cancer. His great uncle, uncle and 2 cousins died of HOCM. Two were women who died before they were 51. One had a defibrillator.
I chose this device as it does not invade the heart muscle. The defibrillator sits on the left chest wall vs under the left clavicle.
My surgery will take place at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. My surgeon, and this hospital, are participating in a multicenter study designed to convince the FDA to approve use of this device as standard in the US. It is already used in NZ and the UK.
It took a long time to make the decision to have this done. I was concerned about the cosmesis of it. I didn't know if I could live with the "discomfort" of a protrusion on my chest wall. I still don't know. I hope to take pictures and post on youtube so that people who might be contemplating this procedure might have more information. I wonder how it will affect my singing.
I have not had the nerve to ask "will there come a time when my heart may be too sick to be shocked back into rhythm? ". "What can be done to change this condition and decrease the chances of ever needed this device?" "Will it shock me beyond my ability to recuperate to full mental capacity?" I may never know the answers.
When I think of needing a defibrillator it makes me feel vulnerable, frail and old. I don't think that my friends and family would ever use those words to describe me.
I want to live long enough to see my grandchildren grow into adults. That is why I am having this done at this time.
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