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Phil's excellent pacemaker adventure

by Philip F. Jacobus, CEO | April 05, 2017
Let me tell you, health care is more than big business.

This past Monday at 7:30 in the morning I made an appointment to see my cardiologist, Dr. Lawrence Phillips. He told me that I needed to have a pacemaker installed that very day. At 30 beats a minute he explained to me that my heart wasn't working correctly. I won't go in to the details and it doesn't really matter — what matters is the way it was dealt with.

I went right away to the NYU hospital emergency room where I was further tested by Jen the ER nurse; I had another EKG, an ultrasound to make sure that my heart was healthy and a blood test to make sure that I had blood in my body and then some other tests which were equally pleasant, (I hate needles but Jen was a real pro!)

Next I went to the pre-op where a lovely lady named Annabelle shaved my chest, (I thought of Don Bogutski).

Throughout the process, everyone kept me informed. Sometimes people repeated the same things but I'm sure this was done on purpose because they assume you're going to forget so they remind you and remind you. I didn't mind, as a matter of fact I appreciated it.

Next into the EP lab. Where it must have been 20 people under the direction of Dr. Chirag Barbhaiya who went to work on me and in 30 seconds I was asleep. I woke up two hours later in post-op, a new man.

That night I was in an area where I was constantly monitored by Elena and her team, the next day I left at 11 in the morning.

I can't help but think that a hundred years ago I'd be dead by now. It's amazing to me that we live in a time when you can attach electrical wires to the heart and keep it beating at the proper rate.

I shared all this with Ed Sloan, someone I know who has a pacemaker and he told me that my wife would appreciate it if I adjusted the setting to 70 beats a minute! Maybe that's his secret...

I have to take it easy for a few weeks but I feel better already and everyone tells me that in no time at all I'll be able to exercise again just like I did before. I asked Dr. Phillips if I'd be able to play the piano and he said yes and I said that's great news considering I couldn't play the piano in the past.

We are all lucky to be alive at this wonderful time. Thanks also to all of the nice people at NYU Langone Medical Center.

There is one person who helped me more than anyone else but I can't mention his name here, but he knows who he is and I'm forever grateful.

View all The Jacobus Report Blog Posts


About Phil Jacobus

Phil Jacobus has been involved in health care since 1977, when he visited China to sell equipment. He has done business in 35 countries and still travels extensively. Phil is active in charity, helps rural clinics and always tries to help DOTmed users when he can.

Phil is a member of AHRA, HFMA, AAMI and the Cryogenic Society of America. He has contributed to a number of magazines and journals and has addressed trade groups.

Phil's proudest achievement is that he has been happily married to his wife Barbara since 1989, who helped him found DOTmed in 1998.

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Mudi Ramesh

Pacemaker install

April 06, 2017 10:23

Phil, you are so darn right that we are fortunate to be living at a time when healthcare and technology has advanced so much! I am happy to hear the pacemaker install went off well. Wishing you many many more years of productive life ahead. God bless!

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Don Bogutski

Phil's amazing healthcare adventure

April 06, 2017 05:23

Phil is brilliant, handsome ebullient and now bionic! A true 21st century man. Live long and prosper!

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Steven Ford

Phils' excellent adventure

April 09, 2017 01:50

Glad it turned out for you. Remarkable that you can remember the names of those dedicated people.

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