Life with an ICD: “Because sometimes bionic is just better"

Becky, a teacher from Dorset, has since been diagnosed with CPVT, a heart rhythm problem which puts her at risk of another cardiac arrest.

She says: “Having the ICD  at first was pretty scary. I was 24, and you don’t know what impact it will have on you – will it be limiting? So I learnt as much about the condition as I could. On the anniversary of having my ICD, I had a barbecue on the beach with a group of friends to celebrate the fact that I was still here. I can’t go on rollercoasters, but it’s a small price to pay.

It feels like I have some special enhancement to make me more robust.

It’s gone off twice, once at the gym and once when I was in the swimming pool. It is frightening when it goes off. But it is reassuring to know it has. So the feelings are very contradictory.

The second time it went off, when my husband Chris brought me home, I cried and I had a couple of days off work. A friend sent a bunch of flowers, and I broke down in tears. Even though it was a good thing, it is still a really daunting thing to happen.

I try to look at the positives. As soon as I got it my dad referred to me as ‘bionic’. I even set up a Facebook group, ‘Defibrillators and pacemakers – because sometimes bionic is just better’. It does feel like I’ve had some special enhancement to make me more robust. The times that I have needed it it’s been there for me - and that’s exactly why they put it in.”

• Get support with anxiety if you have a heart condition

Hear more inspiring ICD stories

	Building confidence after an ICD shock “Getting used to the ICD took quite a bit of doing. I felt anxious at first.” Read Elizabeth's story
	Connecting with others like me “I joined a sudden cardiac arrest survivors’ group so I could have other people to talk to.” Read Mike's story

 

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