Dear Blog Friends, The Cardiac Catheter Ablation on Nov. 3, 2020 is OVER and I am home doing okay. Thank so many many of you in the Blog and Facebook world for praying for success for me. I could 'feel' your love and I needed it.
At age 78, any kind of surgery or procedure is a risk --but I was willing to take that risk hoping that it would control my terrible Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation so that I could get back to a life that I want to live.
SO---I made it through, but even now (5 days later), I will admit that this was the HARDEST procedure I have ever had. It was very similar to the one I had 1.5 years ago --but this one just seemed to take its toll on me. I just hope I don't EVER have to have another one!
My new doctor said it was an 80% success --but there were a couple of areas in my heart he couldn't 'fix' due to the fact that it might have caused other damage. I like my doctor --and he seemed disappointed that he couldn't give me 100% success. He said that I may have to continue taking medications (which cause me so many other side effects such as stomach issues, eye problems, etc.) in order to keep the A Fib from coming back.
My response: I'll take the 80% --and pray for the best. BUT--I hate the idea of having to continue taking medication in order to stay in Normal Sinus Rhythm. But---I need to do what I need to do in order to stay alive and kicking!!!!
This is a really interesting book for anyone who wants to learn more about A Fib and Ablations, and especially what Steve Ryan says about doctors and people thinking that A Fib is no big deal and that it can just be ignored.... There are MANY types of A Fib and many people have one type or another. Some people only have problems with heart rate and others have the heart rhythm problem. Some can tolerate medications so that works for them. If one has problems with LOW heart rate, that's when a Pacemaker can help... Some can stay in A Fib constantly and never even feel it... ME? Ha--I'm in the category that I have high heart rate PLUS rapid heart rhythm, and cannot tolerate the heart medications... NOT FUN!!!
My danger when I go in and out of A Fib is possible STROKE. That is why I am on Xarelto (blood thinner) and will be on it (or some blood thinner) for LIFE... The Xarelto doesn't have any side effects except terrible bruising plus the fact I have to be very careful not to bleed... Someday I may qualify for a Watchman, which is a gadget they put in you to prevent strokes. That may help me to get off of the Blood Thinner. BUT--that's in the future IF needed.
My STORY: In early 2018, I was diagnosed with Persistent (ongoing) A Fib... I spent a year totally in A fib --only taking Heart Rate Medications given to me by a Cardiologist to keep my heart rate from going too high or too low... That was a miserable year for me. In 2019, I left my Cardiologist and went to an Electrophysiologist (specialist) asking/begging for help.
When first getting A Fib --I knew NOTHING about any of this. One of
the first things I learned is noting the difference in Heart Rate and
Heart Rhythm, and how it is related to A Fib. Rate of course is how many Beats Per Minute your heart is
beating and Rhythm is the improper or irratic beating (either too fast or too
slow) of the heart. My biggest problem has been a rhythm problem, although when I do go into A Fib, my rate goes high also. Scary for me --and prevents me from doing 'much' travel for fear that I will go into A Fib on a trip/away from home.
I also learned the difference in a Cardiologist and an Electrophysiologist (EP). A Cardiologist works on the plumbing in one's heart and an Electrophysiologist is the electrician of the heart. OH how I wish I had known this when I first got A Fib... I wouldn't have wasted that first year!
With Dr. Bradford (my first EP), I first had a procedure (March of 2019) where they shock the heart, called Cardioversion (which immediately put my heart rhythm back to normal --for the first time, since early 2018). She also put me on an Antiarrhythmic Drug (which I had NEVER been on ) --to help keep my heart rhythm normal. After that in June of 2019, I had my first Ablation --which worked well, and I stayed 'normal' (rate and rhythm) for about 8 months. That is when I told everyone that I had my life back... Felt Normal and GREAT!!!!
BUT--in 2020 (what a year for most of us), I started having what I call A Fib attacks again, off and on with no specific cause/reason. My heart would race and my heart rhythm was very erratic, making me feel horrible until it would quit finally on its own. I had 9 attacks during 2020.
Dr. Bradford moved to North Carolina, so Dr. Meriweather became my doctor. After seeing him for the first time, and having him learn my story and my desire not to take drugs (with horrible side effects), we decided to do another Ablation. SO here I am!!!!!
Sorry to be so LONG and so WORDY ---but IF I still have you with me, the bottom line is: 1. I am doing okay --and will continue to feel better with each day; 2. I will keep moving forward in my life making the adjustments needed, and not give up; 3. I will TRY to stay positive; 4. Please try to understand that A Fib is complicated and many of us are struggling BIGTIME... One person's A Fib is NOT like someone else's.
One more thought: I read that by 2030, there could be as many as 12.1 million people in the United States with some kind of A Fib. As in Cancer and Diabetes and other diseases, more money and time needs to be spent to help those of us dealing with A Fib also.
Here are three links you may be interested in: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation;
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/atrial-fibrillation-ablation/about/pac-20384969
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16851-catheter-ablation/procedure-details
Have an awesome week, and thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. I truly hate to complain about having A fib since it is NOTHING as serious as what some of you are going through healthwise. But--it's my story which has altered my wonderful life BIGTIME. Sad thing, as in many diseases, there is NO cure!
Hugs,
Betsy💝💛💚💕
24 comments:
Betsy You are a determined fighter and I am glad you have that spirit and will live life to the full as much as you can.
I'm so happy to hear your procedure went well. It sounds like you have a wonderful doctor. Your positive attitude will go a long way in keeping you going too.
Glad you are doing well.
My mother had A Fib but much later in life than you. She was on Xaralto as well.
Sounds like you have a good doctor who has you on the right regime to keep this under control for you.
Hi Betsy. So glad you are home and recuperating. Thanks for the education about A-Fib. It certainly is a serious condition. Prayers for you a complete recovery and a long and healthy life!
It's good to share you story to help others! And that's what you always do...inspire and help others. I'm praying for you and hope you have a restful week! Sweet hugs, Diane
I am thankful for your new Doctor and very thankful for the 80%. You have always been so active with your hiking and I pray that you will be able to continue to do so. Prayers for your strength as well as total healing (that 80% will move on up to a 100%). God is our healer and HE can do all things. Love you.
I am so glad that your surgery was at least 80% successful. That is a lot.
I have been dealing with AFIB for years and with a pacemaker, Sotalol and warfarin, it has been almost completely controlled. Not fun but grateful we have so many tools to fight it.
Keep up the good work.
Betsy, It's great to hear that your doing better and 80% is pretty positive... Like you, I'm tired of surgeries and related medications but if they help you maintain a decent quality of life, even if not perfect, the whole thing is worth it! Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Thank you for an interesting and informative post. I'm looking forward to many ore years with you, so I'm grateful that your ablation went well.
I was wondering how you were - you were in my thoughts. I am so glad you are okay. 80% is better than not working at all. Maybe you won't have to keep on the medicine. Hope. Sandie♥
Good Morning Betsy, I'm glad to read your post and know that the ablation is done and was mostly successful. I have never heard of anyone who's doctor said it was 100% successful, so I think you did GREAT! I AM sorry the procedure was so difficult.
I'm one of the "lucky" ones that is mostly controlled with my pacemaker and medication. I had my 6 month visit last month and my pacemaker was "interogated". They can go back and see EVERYTHING it and my heart has done for the last 6 months! That's amazing to me. Anyway, I have been having lots of episodes of tachycardia, over 220 beats per minute...and then my heart slows way down and stops. And the pacemaker does it's job and gets me going again. The amazing thing is, I didn't feel ANY of it. Even the rapid heart rates. Most of them were during the day when I was awake too. I'm so grateful for my doctors and modern medicine. I'm ready to go home and meet Jesus anytime, but I would like a few more years here too!
You are in my prayers my dear friend.
Blessings and a big hug.
Betsy
So many prayers for 100% success!! I am thankful that my rhythm issue hasn't reared its ugly head since my ablation in 2011. I can feel when it 'tries' to jump into the bad rhythm - it usually makes me cough. I continue to work on getting my heart rate issue under control. I have been on medicine for about 2 years now for that. It feels more like a bandaid rather than a fix. Possibly another ablation will be in my future as well. But, like you, I will do whatever I need to do in order to keep kicking!
It is so good to hear from you, Betsy! I am so glad you went thru the procedure well, and were made better, even if not 100%. My prayer for you was that you would come thru the procedure well, and it would really help. I have never heard of Watchman, I need to look it up. This must be a new invention. You are doing RIGHT Being your own advocate and learning all you can about this!! Blessings!
Thanks for sharing the details of your life. Yes, I can understand that it affects every area of your life. Glad to hear that for now you are doing well.
We're having an awesome week here - the warmest seven days in a row in November ever recorded! And just like A-Fib, with paralysis, no two people experience the same thing! Stay positive!
Love, hugs and prayers for you dear Betsy ~ FlowerLady
Hello Betsy
I am so pleased that your surgery was at least 80% successful.
You are such a lovely determined lady, and I thank you for sharing your story.
Continued prayers for you.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
Oh gosh Betsy I haven't been by for awhile and didn't know you were getting this done.....anyway!!---so glad it went well, sounds like it will help you alot. Hope your are resting up and recovering and start feeling MUCH MUCH BETTER!! Hugs!
I hope your recovery continues to go smoothly. I passed this post along because the message may be crucial to someone else. Best wishes.
So glad to hear it's been successful! Take care.
So glad to hear it is all ove®. I certainly hope it works for the rest of your life. It doesn't sound like a nice operation. As you know Bill has AFib but his electrophysiologist said ablation wasn't possible for his type of AFIb and tachicardia so he had an ICD implanted (Defibrilator)which worked well for years but his heart deteriorated and the ICD was turned into a pacemaker with the flick of a switch. Unfortunately he has heart failure and swollen ankles. Anyways this is your blog you don't want to hear our woes. I hope you can return to hiking and exploring waterfalls.
Keep healing well!
I'm relieved to read this update even if it is 80%. You're upbeat and educate yourself. I'm so glad you can now heal and get on with life!
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