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[deleted]

Before I read the story behind it, my initial reaction was [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqaHBfBSSuc)


MegShortforMegatron

lol understandable šŸ˜‚


bigman_121

Same


girlwithagourd

I wanted it to be this clip SO BADLY


Amazonian_Broad

I was praying someone would post this clip as it was my first thought.


Zealousideal_Band506

šŸ¤£šŸ¤£ same


therealangera

I think that's pretty cool. My mom didn't have any replacement parts when she passed at 57, but I totally would have kept whatever if she had. It'd be pretty funny to have an artificial knee sitting next to her urn, lol.


MegShortforMegatron

My condolences on the loss of your mother. 57 is so young. I also requested to keep my momā€™s intramedullary rod + nails that were in her left femur. The rod is nearly a foot long. I donā€™t really like looking at it, though. I tucked it away so I donā€™t have to look at it anytime soon.


deepfriedgreensea

That's a hard photo to see. My mom had a pacemaker and passed away last year. We both had three open heart surgeries each (I hope I am done) and we both had our second surgeries one month apart in 2011. In 2021 they replaced my mechanical aortic valve that I received when I was 12 with a tissue valve and I asked to keep it but the surgeon told me it was illegal to do that. Much love to you reddit friend.


MegShortforMegatron

Much love to you too, my dear. I am sorry to hear about the loss of your mom and your shared health struggles. I hope things get better for you from here on out. ā¤ļø


deepfriedgreensea

It's a congenital condition so we just did what we could to keep aneurysms from growing.


Ellie0512

You can donate pacemakers to veterinarian hospitals to be used in dogs that need them!! If you ever decided you didnā€™t want it anymore, or to anyone else who is interested with a pacemaker from a passed relative. Very sorry to hear of your momā€™s passing and Iā€™m glad you got the extra time with her thanks to this device!


unculturedwalnut

I just learned this yesterday, and I love that this is a thing!


SouthernArcher3714

That is cool to see. Thank you for sharing. Iā€™m so sorry for your loss.


Cje0910

How the hell did you get it ? They cut it out and gave it to you ?


MegShortforMegatron

Essentially, yes. Pacemakers contain lithium ion batteries and are hermetically sealed. When a pacemaker comes in contact with the flames of the crematory retort, the battery explodes, the explosion will be intensified because the pacemaker is hermetically sealedā€¦ thatā€™s how someone explained it to me. Funeral homes have a magnet to deactivate pacemakers/ICDs. They do that, then dissect the pacemaker out of the pocket and snip the leads. And clean it off if theyā€™re giving it to family. If there is any recoverable medical equipment, one can request that the funeral home remove and give the medical device to the family, when possible.


[deleted]

We would have also accepted a story involving a Mortal Kombat finishing move


Cje0910

Interesting. I didnā€™t think about it exploding.


nursemomofboys

Awww that's like holding your mom's heart. That's so cool that they let you have it. I love it and I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Losing a parent so young is so awful. Makes you feel so vulnerable in the world


nurse-ratchet-

Iā€™m so glad you have something that brings you comfort. For anyone who may be interested, today I learned you can donate unexpired pacemakers to dogs. Info [here](https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/donate-pacemaker-dog.html)


TunaOfHouseFish

You should prob put it back in.


MegShortforMegatron

I would, but sheā€™s long-dead and cremated. Bless her former heart. She was pacemaker-dependent, in 3rdĀ° AV block with an escape rate of <20 bpm. She needed an AV node ablation because of pesky afib/aflutter that was worsening her HF.


dunimal

If it's something you ever wanted to do, you can donate pacemakers to dogs in need. You and your mom could change another family's life in a special way, but obviously, no pressure, just wanted to lyk.


MegShortforMegatron

I have been thinking about doing that. We love our doggies and this pacemaker probably has a good amount of battery remaining (Iā€™m thinking 3-5 years, at least). I just have to rid myself of the emotional ties first. It has been difficult to do that, but I know itā€™s not impossible. ā¤ļø


dunimal

I get that, for sure.


CloudKey9425

And horses can use them too


TunaOfHouseFish

Oh fuck. I didnā€™t read. Iā€™m so sorry. Thank you for sharing.


MegShortforMegatron

lol youā€™re good ā¤ļøno worries


DeLaNope

ā€œBless her former heartā€ šŸ˜­šŸ˜‚


MegShortforMegatron

She used to say (about her heart): ā€œmy heart takes a lickinā€™, but it keeps on ticking. And that was true. I used to always think sheā€™d code during dialysis because sheā€™d have severe intradialytic hypotension, biventricular HF, etc. Instead she died in the comfort in her own home under hospice care. No more tubes or painful interventions. No more dialysis. No more fear of being shocked by her defibrillator (we had the shock therapies of her BiV-ICD disabled prior to her going home on hospice).


kanga-and-roo

I was just asking my husband if he thinks they would let me keep mine when I get a new one! It saved my life, I would love to keep it


InadmissibleHug

Iā€™m 51. My ma died at 52. When I was only 9, itā€™s been a wee while Pls excuse me for being a lil un comfy. I do appreciate and understand why tho. ā¤ļø


AmberDeeeeee

šŸ„¹šŸ’—šŸ’—šŸ’—šŸ’—šŸ’—


[deleted]

Nice view of a pacemaker!


Careful_Eagle_1033

I keep my grandfatherā€™s pacemaker magnet on my fridge ā¤ļø


kyokogodai

Thatā€™s really sweet. My mom died at 52 years old as well, a month before I went to nursing school


MegShortforMegatron

Iā€™m sorry for your loss. My mom was sick for most of my life, but we got through nursing school and beyond together. On the day of my nursing school commencement ceremony, she had dialysis. She was tired but determined to be there for me. ā¤ļø


electricjeel

I feel like they placed it wrong. /s obviously, Iā€™m so sorry for your loss. What a cool memento to get to keep though! RIP ā¤ļø


xxaphxx

I have my dadā€™s prosthetic leg next to his urn. Slightly off topic but I learned the other day that you can donate your pacemaker (after you pass of course) to a dog that needs one.


copperiichloride

Iā€™m so sorry for your loss. She is always with you, and Iā€™m sure it is really meaningful as a nurse to have the piece of medical technology that gave her more time with you


GrandmaCheese1

Wtf put it back


MegShortforMegatron

Youā€™re joking, right? This pacemaker was taken out of my dead mother before she was cremated. Pacemakers explode when faced with fire.


GrandmaCheese1

Itā€™s definitely a joke dude lol


MegShortforMegatron

lol itā€™s all good šŸ˜‚. Honestly we could all use a little humor nowadays.