Pacemaker "Dos and Don'ts" after surgery

After the incision for my ICD healed and for a while (6 weeks after), I "took it easy" on the left side. No raising my arm high, lifting heavy items etc. Now, 3 years later, no restrictions. I lift up to 50 pounds at the gym and support that side fine when doing other exercises - do things as normal people do. The only drawbacks are that I miss sleeping on my stomach (presses down on the device) and tight bra straps are uncomfortable. Both are a small price to pay for the value of having this device. Enjoy the things you love to do while keeping in mind to think about safety. We adjust with age and circumstance.

interesting comments. I'm checked every six months by a technician. The results are forwarded to my cardiologist. I think I'd better keep walking.] I've just lost my little dog. She was also my morning alarm clock. My granddaaaugahter is encouraging me to find another. I have strick guidelines. 1. It must be a rescue
2. It has lost it's forever home.
3. Preferably not too big.
4. I'm a bit reluctant to be too specific about breed. I adopted a bonded pair in 2016, One was Tango, a male Shih Zhu. He had to come with Miah, a poodle/Bichon Frise. I fell love with Tango. He was a little character. So was Miah but differently.
5. I have a large backyard for a townhouse, but unless it's one of those big Great Danes, they're couch potatoes, it's not fair, in my opinion to have a large dog where they can't roam.
6. Remember, people with pets live longer and spend less time in hospitals.
So, if you don't like exercising, get a dog. It doesn't seem like exercise walking a dog, plus you get to meet your neighbours!

@elizadolittle
I have a cock a poo. He is 12.5 years old but thinks he is 2.

My wife walks him in mornings up to 1 mile. He goes with me in evenings but he knows I will walk longer with him. Routinely we do 2 miles. It all depends on temperature as the colder it is the farther he goes. He has hair not fur and will grow quite long just like a human hair if not cut.

My dog provided exercise each day for us and we thought we were doing it for him.

@jc76 I know what you mean! Remember, "people who have pets, live longer and spend less time in hospitals."
Some seniors' homes are getting it and invite dogs to visit.

Shelters for endangered women are setting aside room(s) for pets. They discovered some women will not leave an abusive situation for fear that the pet will be abused. A friend of mine, was advised to take her dog with her if she left the matrimonial home at any time.
I'm off to walk around in the strata compound. It's not as interesting without little Miah. I bought these funny looking boots for her. They look like balloons! You use the container they come in to put them on. She literally danced in them. She loved them so much.

Have a great walk.

@elizadolittle
I sure enjoy posts that bring a smile to my face. Sounds like you have a great relationship with your dog as I do.

I am a patient at Mayo Jacksonville. Regretfully I have a lot of medical issues and I am there almost every week and sometime couple of times as week. They have the therapy dogs walking around campus.

When I see them I immediately break out in a smile. There is one (think lab/doodle) that comes to a specific building I go to. The first time I met him he laid his head on my leg and would not move. His parent said he loves coming here and meeting people. When I see him now I always go over to him and tell his parent thanks for volunteering.

I bought our some booties for my dog to wear when we go to beach. You have to walk a long way to get to the wet sand and sand until then is really hot. He tolerates them but I wish he loved them like yours.

I have a Life is Good T-shirt that I wear a lot. On the back says "Dog Dad." Be surprised how many people at Mayo and around my community tell me "I love your t-shirt." I have to stop at first and then say "Oh you mean dog dad in back."

@jc76 Sadly, little Miah passed away the day before New Years. My granddaughter is encouraging me to get another. My acupuncturist is looking for me. She is a dog lover and knows the benefits of having a dog plus the challenges. Her's was attacked at doggie daycare. it was a new dog and the people didn't tell the daycare people he could be aggressive. I think the name of the doggie boots is OOZIES. They look like balloons and you use the container they come in, to put them on. My main criteria is that the dog is a rescue and lost its forever home. Oh and not too big. I do have a good sized backyard for a townhouse but I don't think it's fair to have a large dog in a small area--unless it's a Great Dane. They're the only large dog recommended for condos, etc. They are large couch potatoes. Have a great day--and keep walking!

A great write up mary bird. It’s always helpful to listen to the experiences and advice of a veteran. I’m 2 weeks post surgery and have inadvertently violated the instructions a few times; each time I checked my pulse rate and found it still loping along at 60bpm. I’ ve attached my wrist to my waist with a 18 inch strap to prevent any further violations. It is really a great feeling to be rid of bradycardia.