Monday

[rolanni]

Steve got up early and started in a-phoning, with the result that all the doctor appointments but one are set. I pitched in by talking to the PA at the heart specialist's office about the license suspension issue. The feeling there is that it's entirely likely that Steve's license will be suspended for six months -- which is. . .non-trivial. There is some possibility that the Maine department of motor vehicles will decide that Steve can drive in four weeks, as we were told and (sorta) prepared for, but that's not, according to the PA, the way the smart money bets.

Unfortunately, the discussion with the PA was upsetting enough that I couldn't settle into "Skyblaze" until quite late. I did eventually get through the first 20 pages on my pass. Have to do better, tomorrow. And, as a special added bonus, I do believe I've slain the laundry monster.

Tomorrow morning brings -- errands! And, if the weatherbeans are to believed, a lovely, lovely Winter Storm, later in the day.

The plan at the moment is to return to the day-job on Thursday, pending anything unfortunate happening (knock wood) or an appointment unexpectedly being moved up.

...and now -- lunch!

Comments

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Commiserations on the license issue, that's got to be incredibly frustrating. Here's hoping that the smart money is wrong.

[jelazakazone.livejournal.com]

Another vote for hoping the smart money is wrong. It makes me wish I were closer and could help out. I usually feel at a loss when people need help, but driving around is something I could help out with.

I've been glad for the updates and glad that things are generally going well. I'm sorry it's all been so stressful for you!

Driving restrictions

[swedishsis.livejournal.com]

Sharon - your PA's may have been generic and not specific to Steve. I looked up the relevant Maine guidelines: http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/licenses/medrules.html

" Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation:

Implantable anti-tachycardia devices (AICD's PCD's, etc.) and patients who have them present special circumstances and problems. Generally, a patient who receives such a device for a presenting rhythm which led to loss of consciousness (e.g., sudden death or syncope) should not drive for six months. If experience shows that a recurrence of such an event will be effectively treated by the device without loss of consciousness, driving may be resumed. If six months elapses without an event, then driving may be resumed. Patients who have devices implanted for non-syncopal rhythms may be allowed to resume driving immediately postoperatively. It is important to note that each of these is a discrete decision and must be considered individually."

Much of this will depend on the reason Steve's ICD was implanted.

The current American Heart Association guidelines:

"To help doctors with this decision, the American Heart Association and Heart Rhythm Society recommend the following driving restrictions:

* If you get an ICD because you are at risk for a life-threatening arrhythmia (but have never had one), you should not drive for at least 1 week afterward to allow time to heal. After you heal, you can drive again as long as your ICD has never given you a shock and you have no symptoms of an arrhythmia. But keep in mind that an arrhythmia could cause you to pass out (lose consciousness).
* If you get an ICD because you have already had a life-threatening arrhythmia, you should wait at least 6 months before you drive again.
* If you have an ICD that has given you a shock for an arrhythmia, you should wait at least 6 months before you drive again."

I would definitely discuss this with the cardiologist to see where Steve's condition falls. The PA was most likely giving general information based on the guidelines unless they actually had Steve's chart open. We also tend to give worst case scenario.

Re: Driving restrictions

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Thuy.

We also tend to give worst case scenario.

Oh, yeah. I do the same thing. If I'm going to hand someone a Surprise, I'd rather it fell on the pleasant side of the scale.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

And if there's any way we can be useful, it's an hour's drive . . .

[(Anonymous)]

My husband was not allowed to drive for 6 weeks after his. And Missouri did not require us to report it that I know of, he did have to carry the cards in his wallet showing what was done and where the stints and everything else was located. Also you need to do some checking on some of the things about microwaves, welders and phones. Depending on the pacemaker used different things are a problem. Look up Steve's model on the net to find out just the problems with his, and he can even call the manufacturer to get answers. Found out my husband just could not stand in front of micro, could only use certain models of phones in both hands and could even use an arc welder if he used a certain vest. Could tune up the car if he could get the same type of vest. So not everything is black and white till you check.

[paulcory.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the DMV, and best wishes for a complication-free recovery.

[cailleuch.livejournal.com]

Good luck to you both in the ever wonderful discovery of new things. Somehow that sounded odd but having had a lot of experience with learning all that doctor's fail to inform about it is apt.

Driving?

[claire774.livejournal.com]

Crossing fingers and paws here for Steve's driving.
C.

[attilathepbnun.livejournal.com]

Yes, good luck on the driving-thing, and on Steve's healing fast and well!