Girl, I know what you mean. :-(

http://www.medtronic.com/physician/b...pta/index.html

This is the pacemaker model that I had implanted. It's about 2" x 2" including the lead wires that come out of the plastic looking area on the top.

The lead wires wrap around the pacemaker and are threaded through veins and anchor into the heart muscle. They describe the lead wires as being embedded in the heart like a fish hook. It's really fascinating especially seeing a chest x-ray of yourself with the implant showing serial numbers.

The remote monitoring that I have is through the CareLink. It's just an amazing thing that something like this saves peoples lives everyday including mine.

So far, I have received the hospital bill and surgeon bill and the total is about $48,000.00. Medicare will adjust the bill and I have no idea what my portion will be yet. The first pacemaker I had implanted in 1996 was about $12,000.00 and that included 2 days in the hospital. It was to last between 4 and 14 years. It lasted a little over 11 years for me. This new one was implanted as an outpatient procedure and is to last at most 8 years before replacement.

doing so well, becky!! i know the cost is huge but so would be ours & others' if something would've happened to you! i can't type a whole lot cuz my fingers are on fire right now, but i did find your thread so i wanted to tell you that i am so so glad so so glad that you are doing so well.

the picture of yer baby is pretty darn cool too.

when i can i'll be giving you guys a call pretty soon!!

missing ya much, --L.

lb,

I am doing just fine so don't worry about me. It's just taking a long time to heal for some reason. I am being told that I am doing too much and that is ridiculous. Is taking a shower, watching TV, eating and doing a little laundry too much?

I hope you fingers calm down and that you are doing ok.

Miss you and will talk to you soon.

This is my second day without hard pain!!! I am so happy I am almost healed after 6 weeks!!! It just feels wonderful!!!