12/13/2025
An update message from Evelyn,
“Life sends many challenges. I'm letting you know why I have not stayed in touch with most of you. I'm not looking for sympathy or calls, I'm just giving an explanation and some warnings.
17 months ago I received a pacemaker. I am 100% dependant on it. From the beginning, it was problematic. Last Friday, Dec 5th, I had it removed while on a temporary external pacemaker and it was replaced with a leadless one implanted inside of my heart. The surgery took place around 1pm. I had asked to be kept overnight, but was sent home at 9pm that same day. Before dawn the next morning, Saturday, John called 911 because my chest and neck were swollen and I was choking. I know panic doesn't help, but I also know that telling someone who can't breathe to breathe also doesn't help. The ambulance took me to a different hospital from where I'd had the surgery because they said we didn't have time to get there. Scans in the emergency room showed severe inflammation as well as bilateral pulmonary embolisms and stress on my heart. To make a very long story as short as possible, I was put through a lot of tests, some very unpleasant and quite scary, was on a lot of IV meds that were monitored and adjusted every 6 hours, and my heart and lungs were closely monitored with follow up scans. I was sent home Wednesday afternoon and am now on so many medications it's hard to keep swallowing. John has learned more than I'm sure he ever wanted to know and has become a real caretaker, Mack has helped and cooked for us, and Madison had continued to call. So, the warning? Don't let doctors dismiss your concerns or push you out against your wishes. This was surgery #28 for me. I think I know my body better than anyone else. If you don't feel right, keep fighting to find someone who will listen. I am now with a cardiologist and electro physiologist who do.”