Defibrillators Work


 
Lew Newby

Lew Newby

R.I.P. 1/26/2024
We went to Colorado for our granddaughter’s wedding last week. Wednesday night I had a heart problem and my wife called 911. The EMT’s told me that they couldn’t wait until I was at the hospital and needed to shock my heart. That’s something I can’t describe. My first reaction was “damn” but I realized that I could breathe, my heart wasn’t going nuts, and I felt incredibly better. Friday they implanted an ICD in my chest so now I have my own defibrillator and Saturday night I found that it works but the shock is unsettling. Now that I’m back at sea level and getting enough Oxygen I’m feeling great and my heart has completely settled down. Grandpa is going to milk this one with his grown and macho grandsons. 😁
EDIT - I turned 80 on the fourth so I shouldn’t be surprised by something like this but I was.
 
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I had to get trained on how to use one when I went through flight school to become a Flight Attendant. Thank heavens I was never put to the test except on the dummies :D
Truly glad to hear you're doing better now
 
Glad things worked out the way they did. Just the thin CO air has always been tough on me.
I've had a pacemaker (on my 2nd one, almost ready for a replacement) for 19 years. It's been keeping me alive, but differently than what your defib does.
Milk it Lew, milk it! (y)
 
Isn't modern technology wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I am a former chiropractor who has taught for many years Health Science at the community college level. I have real pride in prolonging the lives of my students and their loved ones.
 
Glad to hear you're feeling better. I had my heart shocked back into a regular rhythm once, but it was a planned operation and they gave me the Michael Jackson cocktail to put me to sleep for it. The doctor said the procedure would take just a few seconds but it was extremely painful so they put people under if they had the chance.

That thin atmosphere can be very stressing. The last couple times I was above a mile up in Colorado I had headaches and just slow walking left me out of breath. I can definitely see how prolonged exposure could make your heart go a little crazy.
 
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