Here are some more tidbits from the Pacemaker manual:
Keep your heart device at least 6" from the following household and hobby items:
Handheld kitchen appliances such as electric mixers
Sewing machines and sergers
Radio controlled toys (antenna)
2 way walkie-talkies (less than 3 watts)
Stereo speakers (even if the power for the speakers is disconnected)
You can't use an electronic body fat scale because it passes electricity through the body.
24" away from Induction cook tops when it is turned on.
There is a lot more.......this is all news to me. I have never heard anyone talk about their restrictions with their pacemakers, but then I don't know very many people that have one.
27 comments:
Don't lean in too close to your machine, thankfully 6 inches seems like a reasonable distance to keep, I hope you won't feel restricted by that. Your Australian fabrics are lovely. X
I was admiring your newest blocks then read the list of 'do not's' - I'm sure giving up sewing will not be top of your list haha, but I know you will be careful. I don't know anybody with a pacemaker so reading what you can't 'do' was a complete surprise to me! Good to see you are still getting on with life, 'slowly but surely wins the day' as we say :)
My friend's brother sells pacemakers and he is a very wealthy man, so there must be a lot of people who use them. Probably people hide the fact. Hunters Star looks so different in Australian fabric!
Wow, there is a lot to remember on the "avoid" list. Does it say what happens if you "mess up" on that?
The blocks look great, as always.
I hate "don't do this" lists....it feels so restrictive. I will just use common sense but no way will I give up the sewing machine :) Let someone else get weighed or cook on the fancy cooktop.
I don't know anyone personnel with one but the only thing I always thought was stay away from microwave oven and you said that wasn't on the list now
I was just reading the list to Mike and he said if we ever have a pacemaker we would have to get a new stove as it would be hard to stay 24 inches away from it! I have never heard anyone talk about these restrictions.
Glad to hear you are feeling up to sewing again! Please take care.
Staying 6" away from the sewing machine would be a problem. I can never see to thread the machine!!
Too many no's :). Pretty selection of fabric.
My father in law had one installed not long after he moved in with us years ago. It made a huge difference in his quality of life - he felt like he had more energy & was more willing to do more with us. I'm glad you are recovering so well. It is a big change, but well worth it! Thank you for sharing your 'quilt adventures' - I learn SO much from your blog. Best wishes to you... Deb E / Oregon mdenders@msn.com
I have a quilting friend who has a pacemaker. At retreats she takes breaks to walk around and move away from her machine. I thought she said it was because of the computerized machine, could be wrong. She still gets a lot of sewing done.
I'm glad to see you are feeling better and doing some sewing.
The ladies in my group with pacemakers don't talk much about the restrictions (they've had theirs for a while, one for several years). They use their sewing machines, travel to retreats, and seem to thoroughly enjoy everything they do. Happy to hear that you are cutting out and sewing again!
I sew almost on top of my machine, that 6" would be a problem for me. Your fabrics are looking good.
Glad to see you are feeling better day by day and playing with fabric again. I had no idea there were so many restrictions with a pacemaker. I don't see it slowing you down!! Best Wishes Wanda...and keep inspiring us!! hugs to you.
Wow. That's a lot of restrictions to remember. They probably list so many due to lawsuits is my guess, like the paramedics who revive everyone no matter how long it takes. Someone mentioned microwaves not on the list -- most people don't realize you should be at least 3 feet from them when they are running anyway and they should be refurbished after 1 year, as they will "leak". I've known people with cancer who were told to remove the microwave from their house completely. I'd say most warnings don't change what people do too much. Also, on a side note, could you please put a 16-patch label on your posts for them? I can't find one I was wanting to see, again. Thank you.
My husband has a pacemaker and magnets and remote-controlled toys were the things he was told to be very careful to avoid. The speakers was a surprise to me! Not all that surprised about the microwave as I think they can be an issue issue for everyone, pacemaker or not.
What about phones and computers? That list sounds wild. 6 inches is pretty close so most things I don't think you would have to worry about. I'm sure it would never come to this but you could always use a treadle machine.
OMG Wanda... That list is surprising ! I don't know if I could cope with that. I know you have to follow it ~ like it or not. I always have my nose right near the presser foot, when sewing. Well maybe not that close but I do lean in a lot. Hand held electric mixer... A lot of life style changes for you.
The blocks you posted today, deep rich colors complimenting the light ones. Your eye for color companions are always the best.
JJM
You can always get a vintage Treadle machine. Your legs would be in great shape. To bad there are all the restrictions. Chris
Hi Wanda, My dad had 3 different pacemakers at various times. We used to tease him that every time he saw a pretty girl the neighbor's garage door opened! He didn't have a list of restrictions. It sounds like a list made up to cover every possibility, real danger or not. If I were you, I'd have a good talk with your doctor or heart specialist, or at least someone who has actual stats on what is safe or not. It might have something to do with the type of pacemaker you have, but go get another opinion before trying to live with all those DO NOT's!
love & prayers, Elsie
Did you know about not leaning over a running car engine? I've never come across the one regarding hand held mixers, I use one occasionally without any problems. Mobile 'phones, I hold mine on the right side - pacemaker on my left side - but I run into problems if I need to write information down at the same time!
Speakers - yes, definitely a problem. I found out the hard way, forgot the instruction, walked between two speakers going into a store and almost passed out, never done that again.
Wow! Some list! With all my husband's new hobbies as he approaches retirement (heaven help me - he's taking over my kitchen), it's just as well he has a stent!
Meanwhile I have a Singer 15K treadle downstairs for mindless tv sewing scraps. Upstairs is a Singer 201 treadle - newest baby, I've cleaned her (but previous owner did a terrific job of keeping her in shape) and oiled her and she sews perfectly. Just about to make her start work with a project. The Janome is now relegated to quilting only! And I also have 2 hand cranks - Singer 128K to be cleaned and made ship-shape, and a perfect 99K which was taken on holiday with me this year!
As you can guess I'm keeping clear of the kitchen!
And you are getting better in leaps and bounds - great!
I bet everything about that pacemaker seems very daunting and scary right now. But in actuality, lots of people have pacemakers and they function quite well and normally without having to make a lot of accommodations in daily life. It seems very difficult to you right now because you're reading all the manuals and instructions and because it has to do with your heart and the possibility of your heart not beating regularly - or if the pacemaker doesn't work, I guess with your heart beating too slowly, which could make you pass out. Needless to say, that's scary and it makes you feel very vulnerable.
My husband has a defibrillator, which is similar to a pacemaker, but designed to give his heart a shock if/when it goes into atrial fibrillation and stops, he needs it because he has some sort of electrical fault which predisposes him to having that happen. So that's pretty serious, also. He's had the defibrillator for about nine years now, I think, and thankfully, it's never gone off. But better safe than sorry. But when he first got it, he went through a lot of the same concerns and worries you're having now. He read all the materials and was very worried, and he constantly thought about what might and might not affect the defibrillator. He wouldn't be in the kitchen when the microwave oven was on, but fled to another room, was very conscious about what ear he used his cell phone. Now he doesn't worry about those things at all. He's careful about the things he has to be - will not go through the metal detectors at the airport, of course - but is not overly cautious and not constantly worried. He's used to it.
And you'll be used to your pacemaker after a while as well. It'll just take a while. It's natural for you to be worried, it is worrisome, because it is your heart. But a pacemaker is pretty standard equipment. Good luck!
You are doing great Wanda! I'd ask my doctor about some of those restrictions, as some seem a little much. My mom has had one for 20 years and has done great. Not missed a beat. And she has a cordless phone. I have never heard of some of these things??!!
Now you will get used to having a little alien implant. And forget it's there. Pacemakers are more common than you think.
And who sits 6 inches or less from a sewing machine? You will be just fine. Like this whole thing wasn't scary enough.
Sending hugs and well wishes!
I have never heard about these restrictions before. You have a lot to remember and deal with. The one about the sewing machine is a little worrisome. I will be praying for you.
I have had one for two years and I have never been given any restrictions. And I work around electrical appliances, two sewing machines, and all kinds of computer like gadgets. I got mine when I was registering for hip replacement surgery and they found that my heart was only beating at 29 beats a minute. I had been feeling dizzy but it would pass when I sat down. Since I have had the pacemaker my heart beats at 60 beats a minute and I only get dizzy when I get really tired. If you have gotten a pacemaker the only problem you should have is it may interfere with the seatbelt strap. In my car it comes right over the pacemaker and had to get a sheepskin cover to keep from hurting when I drive. Otherwise I would never know it was there.
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