This blog was written by Mended Hearts member and visitor Kenny Kates. In it, Kates shares his personal journey of living with heart disease and now a pacemaker with humor and compassion.
I have been driving a 1948 Kenny for almost 75 years. 1948 was a great year for my model. Many people still like this popular classic, some though, not so much. Despite some minor dings and dents, the model still runs and most of the original parts still work. It still has it’s original head of hair which my mother ordered as an upgrade. There was recently a recall on an engine part and today I’m going in for servicing. As you read this I will be at the hospital having a pacemaker put in.
Here is a short background. I had passed out and come to on the floor about 5 times in a 7 week period. Amazingly, I only really injured myself once. My cardiologist put a loop monitor on me at that time, to monitor my heart.
Nothing happened for 5 months then Sunday Feb 5th around 12:10 AM I got up at night to get something to eat and passed out, coming to on the floor. I had literally fallen and could not get up.
My Dr’s office called the next day. The monitor showed them my heart had stopped momentarily causing me to pass out. Prior to passing out my heart was beating very slow. They called to schedule the surgery to put a pacemaker in.
A pacemaker is a battery operated device. This device senses when your heart is beating too slowly. It sends a signal to your heart that makes your heart beat at the correct pace.
I understand what I just copy and pasted above about a pacemaker from a Google search, about as well as I understand electricity, the cloud and streaming. I know it works. I just don’t know why.
I went in at 5:30 PST AM today Feb 23rd and am expected to be released around 4 PM. I am required to wear a sling for 24 hours as they go in through my left shoulder to insert the device into my heart. There is to be no lifting etc. for 3-4 weeks. All in all not bad. It is considered to be a routine surgery.
I will see you in a few days. I’m ferrying cross the mersey, knowing when released I’ll be able to keep pace with life.
And now wordplay. I need a pacemaker so I can keep the pace up while pacing about my house, it’s a slow pace but it’s effective, however, I’m going to have to pace myself and learn to go at my own pace and not go by your pace.
I had a friend wish me good luck on the procedure. I replied “My luck was totally dependent on the quality of the previous night’s sleep my cardiologist had received. I know he has done pacemaker surgery so often that he can do it in his sleep. I, however, prefer him to be awake.
Kennyland will be closed today and for a few days due to an unscheduled maintenance repair.
I have every intention of resuming Stories from Kennyland shortly. In the event I am wrong, and this turns out to be my last earthly post, I have instructed my daughters to have my stories made into NFT’s. I encourage you all to purchase many as these will be my grand children’s Go Fund Me inheritance.
I’ll see you in a few days or you’ll possibly see me at a seance in the future. Either way I will be pleased.
So ferrying I go to have my engine fixed. The engine is amazingly still under Medicare warranty. I anticipate being back on the road soon with the caveat being, as with any repair, my mileage may very.
And now sing along with me or if you do not know the words, please hum.
Ferry Cross the Mersey
By Jerry and the Pacemakers released in December 1964.
Life goes on day after day
Hearts torn in every way
So, ferry cross the Mersey
Cause this land’s the place I love
And here I’ll stay
People they rush everywhere
Each with their own secret care
So, ferry cross the Mersey
And always take me there
The place I love
People around every corner
They seem to smile and say
We don’t care what your name is, boy
We’ll never turn you away
So I’ll continue to say
Here I always will stay
So ferry, cross the Mersey
‘Cause this land’s the place I love
And here I’ll stay
And here I’ll stay
Here I’ll stay
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