Aa
PROCEDURE UPDATE
Well, things did not go as planned. In case you don't know my history, I have had 3 previous ablations for AVNRT. I also have afib, flutter and competing junctional rhythm issues. Becuase of multiple failed medication trials for afib and my junctional rhythm my EP had planned to put in a pacemaker last Fri. and then bring me back to the lab in a few months time to do an AV-Node ablation.
So, I checked into the Brigham at 6am and was told to wait in the family center in the brand new Shapiro Center for Cardiovascular Excellence until the cath lab was ready for me. A short time later a man came to escort a group of us to the basement for our procedures. There were about 5 of us. As we were led quietly down hallways and elevators I couldn't take the silence anymore, I said to the group, "I feel like we're cattle being led to our slaughter!" Fortunately, they all found this comment pretty funny.
I got into my lovely gown, had my IV placed and was connected to the monitor. This is when the plan changed. It wasn't long before I started having runs of V-Tach. This was certainly a new problem. When this started the nurse quickly located my Dr to inform him of this. He reviewed the strip and then decided that he didn't want to place the pacemaker at this point explaining that the pacer would not resolve the symptoms of V-Tach. He then decide to do further EP study and find the focus of the V-Tach and try to ablate, give my heart a few months to recoup and bring me back to the lab at a leter date to do the pacemaker.
I finally made it into the lab after this setback. It's pretty funny when all the staff in the lab remember you from previous procedures and the ones that don't remember you can't wait to read your extensive history. After 4 hours in the lab, he was able to diagnose and ablate a Right Ventricular Outflow Tract V-Tach, he also referred to it as an idiopathic V-Tach.
I woke up in recovery feeling like I had been hit by a truck! I have been through this 4 times before but never remember feeling as snowed and sick as I did this time around. I couldn't stay on top of the nausea even getting IV Zofran. At some point I siad to my husband that I really was feeling nauseated, I rolled over and that was it! I sat strait up in the bed and all the gingerale and cranberry juice that I had been given was all over the bed. The nurse was standing there with a tiny little emasis basin and realized that wasn't going to cut it, she started yelling, "I need som help over here!" Her concern was that I had split the groin incisions, fortunately they were intact. I had planned to go home that day, but was told that I couldn't leave if I were vomitting. So I checked into a private room :) and spent the night.
At this point, I am trying to be positive as I can with the change of plans but can't help feel a little discouraged. I was hoping to get rid of most of my meds but will trudge forward and accept the things that I have no control over. I will see my Dr in about 2-3 weeks and hopefull have some game plan at this date.
Thank you everyone for all your support as I continue my journey to NSR days! I'll keep you all posted with any news:)
Now we'll have to wait with baited breath to hear how Betty made out today. Hopefully she's had her procedure and she's resting comfortably in post-op awaiting her turkey sandwich!
So, I checked into the Brigham at 6am and was told to wait in the family center in the brand new Shapiro Center for Cardiovascular Excellence until the cath lab was ready for me. A short time later a man came to escort a group of us to the basement for our procedures. There were about 5 of us. As we were led quietly down hallways and elevators I couldn't take the silence anymore, I said to the group, "I feel like we're cattle being led to our slaughter!" Fortunately, they all found this comment pretty funny.
I got into my lovely gown, had my IV placed and was connected to the monitor. This is when the plan changed. It wasn't long before I started having runs of V-Tach. This was certainly a new problem. When this started the nurse quickly located my Dr to inform him of this. He reviewed the strip and then decided that he didn't want to place the pacemaker at this point explaining that the pacer would not resolve the symptoms of V-Tach. He then decide to do further EP study and find the focus of the V-Tach and try to ablate, give my heart a few months to recoup and bring me back to the lab at a leter date to do the pacemaker.
I finally made it into the lab after this setback. It's pretty funny when all the staff in the lab remember you from previous procedures and the ones that don't remember you can't wait to read your extensive history. After 4 hours in the lab, he was able to diagnose and ablate a Right Ventricular Outflow Tract V-Tach, he also referred to it as an idiopathic V-Tach.
I woke up in recovery feeling like I had been hit by a truck! I have been through this 4 times before but never remember feeling as snowed and sick as I did this time around. I couldn't stay on top of the nausea even getting IV Zofran. At some point I siad to my husband that I really was feeling nauseated, I rolled over and that was it! I sat strait up in the bed and all the gingerale and cranberry juice that I had been given was all over the bed. The nurse was standing there with a tiny little emasis basin and realized that wasn't going to cut it, she started yelling, "I need som help over here!" Her concern was that I had split the groin incisions, fortunately they were intact. I had planned to go home that day, but was told that I couldn't leave if I were vomitting. So I checked into a private room :) and spent the night.
At this point, I am trying to be positive as I can with the change of plans but can't help feel a little discouraged. I was hoping to get rid of most of my meds but will trudge forward and accept the things that I have no control over. I will see my Dr in about 2-3 weeks and hopefull have some game plan at this date.
Thank you everyone for all your support as I continue my journey to NSR days! I'll keep you all posted with any news:)
Now we'll have to wait with baited breath to hear how Betty made out today. Hopefully she's had her procedure and she's resting comfortably in post-op awaiting her turkey sandwich!
Thank you for your kind words. It was THE most horrible thing I've ever endured, and I've endured, believe me. I am still an open wound. But, she had PVCs all her life, too. She was 77 and did not die from heart, but from lung disease. They said she had a strong heart even with heart disease and mega PVCs, and even a-fib a lot!
Sorry to hear all didn't go as planned. know how disappointing it is to think it is almost over and then...WHAM here we go again. Hang in there and hope you get fixed real soon! I know how hard it is to stay positive, you are a one of the few who can. I also know what it is like when your chicks leave the nest. My last one left me to go to college 2 years ago. He has stayed there ever since. Even in the summer. It sure has made him grow up though. It was sooo good for him and hard on me. But I found solitaire on the computer! It does make it easier on you also. I don't worry so much about things anymore. Like what is for dinner. I don't really care and my husband is easy to please! LOL
Cindy
Cindy
My deepest sympathies on the loss of your mom.
You are not alone....we are here for you whenever you need us : )
Take care and cherish all the wonderful memories! When our loved ones are with us, we take so much for granted. Thank goodness for memories.
connie
You are not alone....we are here for you whenever you need us : )
Take care and cherish all the wonderful memories! When our loved ones are with us, we take so much for granted. Thank goodness for memories.
connie
Thanks for the post! I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I am trying to relish in the successful part of my procedure. You're right about people thinking we're so brave. I guess I'm so used to hearing it that if I for 1 minute let my guard down and show any bit of disappointment, I feel that I'm not living up to what is expected. Does that make any sense?
I too am glad to have this board...it helps to be reminded that we're not alone and that our problems could be much worse.
I too am glad to have this board...it helps to be reminded that we're not alone and that our problems could be much worse.
I understand your disappointment, but your success is great! Sometimes people think we're so brave when it is a matter of live or crawl into a fetal position. Sometimes I do that for a few minutes anyway. It's comforting. My mother passed last month and it was devastating. I am not as positive as I used to be. I feel more alone. I am so glad to have this board and the positive stories!
I'm trying to hang in. That's all I ever do! My mother is always saying, "keep your pretty chin up" Today has just not been one of my banner days! I think part of my problem is that our son is getting ready to leave the nest for college (3 weeks and counting). As happy and proud I am it does come with some feelings of loss. Alright, I'm having a moment of pity, I guess I'm not perfect *LOL*
I know that we're all here for eachother and that is truly a wonderful feeling!
I know that we're all here for eachother and that is truly a wonderful feeling!
I'm thinking of you-hang in there. I know first hand what it's like when you have to deal with heart issues for a long time. Take it from someone who had SVT for 36 years. I know all will eventually work out fine. It's good they cured your Vtach now because it would have become an issue for you down the road. That's now out of the way. I know how frustrating this must be for you-we are all here to get you through this.
Betty
Betty
WHAT? No turkey sandwich......I'll bet you didn't mind since you were tossing your cookies anyway...LOL
The french toast sounds good!!
The french toast sounds good!!
Hello-
No turkey sandwich :( they kept me NPO becuse I kept vomitting, only IV fluids for me! I did get to eat whole grain french toast with syrup and turkey sausage on Sat (yum) Thanks for being here for me. It always helps to have people who know what you're going through to talk to and to cheer you...if you know what I mean
No turkey sandwich :( they kept me NPO becuse I kept vomitting, only IV fluids for me! I did get to eat whole grain french toast with syrup and turkey sausage on Sat (yum) Thanks for being here for me. It always helps to have people who know what you're going through to talk to and to cheer you...if you know what I mean
hi hun,so sorry you are feeling disappointed but im glad the ablation was successful.it sounds like you need to get plenty rest and tlc over the next few days,concentrate on that before thinking about the next stage.we are all here for you.did you not get the famous turkey sandwhich then??XX
Thanks for all your kind comments. I love to hear what everyone has to say! As for the positive attitude...I really don't have any alternitives. I guess I could sit here, be depressed and fall into a blackhole of self pity...but that doesn't seem like much fun! Instead I choose to deal with the hand I was dealt, pull myself together and face my day and whatever it may bring...This last endeavor is simply just another speedbump on my road to better days. I always try to get my kids to look on the bright side of things or to look at a glass as being half full not half empty. My Dr always is impressed with my attitude, he said if he didn't know what I've been through, my demeanor would never give it away...:)
Thank you for your update, I've been reading your posts and following your story a bit.
I'm sorry that things got turned around from what you expected, but it seems your doctor was on top of everything.
I hope that you are resting comfortably now and feeling better with each passing hour. Hang in there you've got a great attitude and seem very positive, which is half the battle.
I'm sorry that things got turned around from what you expected, but it seems your doctor was on top of everything.
I hope that you are resting comfortably now and feeling better with each passing hour. Hang in there you've got a great attitude and seem very positive, which is half the battle.
Hi! this is kay, sorry to hear about you're situation. I agree you do sound like a very positive person, and after all that you have gone through and still are going through try and stay positive, and do let you're family help you out as much as they can. And get lots of rest. Lov to hear from you, but only if you feel like it!. I will be thinking of you and hoping every thing turns out ok. hansonkay
I was given the usual versed and fentynl. However, this time the doctor said that I was heavily sedated. I just tend to have a weak stomach when it comes to anesthesia even getting meds pre-op. Hey, things could have been much worse...I just thank my lucky stars that I walked into the hospital Friday morning and walked out the very next day :)
I am resting, I have my kids waiting on me hand and foot:) ha,ha!
Enjoy your day, hopefully you have something fun going on!
I am resting, I have my kids waiting on me hand and foot:) ha,ha!
Enjoy your day, hopefully you have something fun going on!
Sorry that you're still not fully repaired. Hopefully, just another blip in the road before you get your pacemaker. You sound like a very positive person and that helps a lot when life doesn't always go the way it should. Let us know the new game plan. Take care...Pam
Hi Brooke,
Sorry things did not go quite as planned. However, it's wonderful that the VT was ablated!! HOORAY for the doctor being on top of things and ready for a new plan.
Hope you're healing well and resting comfortably.
I'm wondering if you were given demerol instead of fentynl during the procedure. People have a greater tendency to be nauseous when they've been given demerol I've had it a couple of times....and yuk! The last time, for a TEE, the nurse told me to let future doctors, nurses, etc., know that I would do better with fentynl...She was right!! I had both ablations and a couple of other procedures with the fentynl and no nausea.
Take care and rest, rest, rest.
connie
Sorry things did not go quite as planned. However, it's wonderful that the VT was ablated!! HOORAY for the doctor being on top of things and ready for a new plan.
Hope you're healing well and resting comfortably.
I'm wondering if you were given demerol instead of fentynl during the procedure. People have a greater tendency to be nauseous when they've been given demerol I've had it a couple of times....and yuk! The last time, for a TEE, the nurse told me to let future doctors, nurses, etc., know that I would do better with fentynl...She was right!! I had both ablations and a couple of other procedures with the fentynl and no nausea.
Take care and rest, rest, rest.
connie
wow u are some lady
i can see why u are disapointed but at least the v-tach was ablated for now --u have been through the mill-make sure u rest and hopefully things will resolve for u soon
4 hrs is a long time no wonder u were wrecked
u have a great positive attitude if that were me i dont know how i would feel
i really hope u feel better soon ok
keep up dated
i can see why u are disapointed but at least the v-tach was ablated for now --u have been through the mill-make sure u rest and hopefully things will resolve for u soon
4 hrs is a long time no wonder u were wrecked
u have a great positive attitude if that were me i dont know how i would feel
i really hope u feel better soon ok
keep up dated
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