Pacer & C Difficile

Recently, my Dad [also a heart transplant recipient, 1997] had his pacemaker replaced.  His was beginning to function poorly & he was updated with a smaller, more efficient model.

The patient pre-op

The procedure was day surgery done at Toronto General Hospital and was performed by Dr. Cusimano.  He has operated on my Dad previously during his heart reduction [Batista procedure], transplant, and original pacemaker procedure.  Just as with my brother, Dr. Cusimano marked my Dad with his initials prior to the surgery.

RJC for RJ Cusimano, McBride family <3 surgeon

Just after the procedure, my Dad was given one very large dose of antibiotics to prevent infection.  Being a heart transplant patient, his family doctor normally follows up antibiotics with a medicine called Flagyl since the antibiotics wipe out both the good and bad bacteria.  Oddly, he didn't receive the Flagyl this time.  We suspect this is why he developed Clostridium Difficile.  More to come on C Diff & his recent stay in isolation at Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga...