Some interesting and important information:
~Mariah's device is an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) as well as a pacemaker. If her heart rate decreases to 40bpm or lower it will pace her heart back up. If it reaches 220bpm it will attempt to lower her heart rate once. If that attempt is unsuccessful, it will deliver a shock. If her heart rate reaches 250bpm it will automatically deliver a shock without attempting to pace her heart rate lower.
~Mariah cannot EVER have an MRI. The magnetic component of the MRI will destroy her ICD and will cause the leads that go into her heart to act similar to a microwave and start "cooking her heart muscle". Obviously NOT a good thing!! We will be getting a medical alert bracelet ASAP.
~I think I covered this in a previous post but I'll list them again: she shouldn't use a chainsaw; if she uses a shotgun, she needs to brace it against her right shoulder; she shouldn't be tased or have a stun gun used on her; if she becomes a mechanic, she shouldn't work on a vehicle's alternator; she's fine to go through the magnetic inventory control areas of retail stores but shouldn't lean on the alarm systems (not like she ever considered doing that in the first place, but it's nice to know about); she shouldn't place magnets over her device...and I'm sure there is more I can't remember right now.
~She can use a cell phone, but can only be placed at her right ear. If she uses a hands-free cell phone ear piece it must not be a "blue-tooth" device. She can use blue tooth devices as long as they are used away from her device, such as in her lap.
~Mariah is NOT to wear the magnetic healing bracelets, magnetic healing pads and cannot use a magnetic bed mattress.
~If Mariah receives an instance of one shock only, we are to call her EP's office during normal business hours. If her ICD delivers multiple shocks she is to go straight to the ER. At the ER they will determine if the shocks are/were appropriate. If she has a "normal sinus rhythm" there is therapy the ER can deliver to bring Mariah out of the "shocking storm".
~When Mariah goes through airport security, she will set off the alarms. She has been given a temporary ID card explaining what device, model number, manufacturer, etc, until she receives her permanent card in the mail.
~The Medtronic representative has offered to provide loaner educational materials and demo models of ICDs, a heart model, etc, if Mariah ever decides to do a research project for school. Since she has completed her biology courses we've discussed talking with her teachers about extra credits (or something similar) for her to provide a presentation of arrythmias, Long QT Syndrome and ICDs.
~Mariah's device has been equipped & programmed with the "HBO option" according to Helios, the Medtronic representative. Mariah was sleeping during the time he was checking her device so he told me to give her the following information:
She has the "HBO Option" in her device. This means if she goes outside at exactly 5:00pm on any given day (not 4:55pm, not 6:30pm, but precisely 5pm) and stands in the middle of our yard (rain, snow, sleet or shine), holds both arms straight above her head (after her healing is completed) and turns counter-clockwise FIVE times, she might be able to pick up the HBO channel!!! She found this quite funny! Now, let's see if she tries it out....hee, hee!
I'm sure I've left out some of the information about her ICD, but this is a general over-view of what we were told.
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