Ablation

[shirlygirly]

Well so far it has turned out to be 3rd time lucky, to bring you up to date

1st time got there no bed, 2nd time ablation stopped after 2 hours, this

time everything went to plan. I felt quite relaxed and really until I was

walking into the lab when I realised this was it, but everyone is so friendly

you just put yourself in their hands. I was having GA this time and a

camera down, but the anaesthetist had seen me earlier and went to a

lot of trouble to put me at ease. When I awoke in recovery I remember

thinking thats funny somethings missing and realised that I couldnt feel

my heart, it had got so much worse lately I convinced myself they wouldnt

do it, Im amazed and funny enough it takes some getting used to I had

forgotton what normal felt like. Thats the good news, the bad news was

the anaesthetist came and explained that he had difficulty getting what

was required down my throat and I could tell, its horrendously sore.

Back on the ward feeling very sorry for myself he came to see me again

and said I have an idea, he went down to the foyer to 'Costa Coffee' and

came back with some ice cubes for me to suck and put extra ones in

the fridge for me, what a star he also came later that night and first thing in

the morning which I thought was good. He was trying to explain why he

had the problem and the different size camera he tried but as he had

quite strong, I think Polish accent it got a bit lost in translation and my

brain still not working properly. I left hospital with a heart performing

normaly no pain or discomfort there at all so Im very satisfied. My

throat is sooooo sore but things always get worse before they get

better. Still in bed today as I felt the need to be spoilt just going to

relax into the day.

[BobD Volunteer]

Wonderful news. I will tell you what my Arrhythmia nurse told me. Do nothing for the first week and not a lot more for the second. I know some people claim they went back to work after two days but from my own experience a slow recovery is best.

Interesting about the ice cubes as in Royal Brompton where I was treated there was a machine just outside the ward which dispensed ice cubes and most patients were offered these to suck post procedure. It is a way of getting fluids in (albeit small quantity) when you can't sit up to drink.

Bob

[shirlygirly in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob it would make sense to have the Ice cubes beforehand

as I think the cold shrinks the throat. One thing I remember nothing

to do with that, there were two patients going home and the nurse

was checking they knew about their medication and repeating them

and said to each and dont forget your aspirin. One had a pacemaker

fitted and the other a stent. I did wonder about that, Maybe thats

suffcient for them. Ps also came home with a cough.

[shirlygirly in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob it would make sense to have the Ice cubes beforehand

as I think the cold shrinks the throat. One thing I remember nothing

to do with that, there were two patients going home and the nurse

was checking they knew about their medication and repeating them

and said to each and dont forget your aspirin. One had a pacemaker

fitted and the other a stent. I did wonder about that, Maybe thats

suffcient for them. Ps also came home with a cough.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to shirlygirly]

Both things for aspirin. Aspirin not for AF but still useful for some other heart conditions and post op.

[jedimasterlincoln]

Good to hear it went well and you were well looked after. I Ended up taking 4 weeks post op not 2, as by the end of the 2nd I still felt lousy and sore and had trouble with walking/limping at the entry point following a post op bleed.

[Kaiser78]

Good news mate, I'm waiting on my 3rd, so hoping I get a rub of the green too!

[jennydog]

Great news, Shirley. You will find that sweets like glacia mints help the sore throat or cough. It takes ages, ie 3 weeks, to be better.

You made me laugh when you wrote that something was missing. I questioned if I still had a heart as I couldn't feel anything.

You now need to pace yourself. It takes up to 6 months to get over a GA. You will have waves of extreme fatigue.

I hope that, like me, you will always be grateful that you had the ablation, regardless of the outcome. You gave it your best shot!

[dedeottie]

Such good news. You deserve a break after the last 2 times. I hope all continues to go well.x

[Terjo]

Great result, rest. Terry

[Loo61]

Fab news dear! Yes its great to have a normal heart again like a new lease of life! What a wonderful caring anesthetist! Mine was like lurch out the Adams Family if he smiled his face would crack so glad I didn't have to look at his mush for long! Well done you! I had to go back to work after 2 weeks and after just under 3 weeks the second time but if you have the chance to put your feet up for longer take it!

[meadfoot]

Really pleased you have had a good outcome, yes we forget when normal feels like. Rest and take your time enjoying your new found freedom from AF. Hope your throat eases soon. Be well.

Dee.

[wpw62]

Very pleased with. Take as long as you can to rest and don't rush back into doing too much. I tok had the cough and didn't realise it was so common until reading other posts. Wishing you a 'normal' life from now on lol if we are any of us normal on here. Take care.

[Moonstone56]

I'm pleased it was a 3rd time lucky. Make sure you rest up enough. That little ticker has been through an ordeal as you have.

[shirlygirly]

Thanks so much to everyone for their good wishes and support, all

the advice was also useful and knowing my areas of discomfort are

normal and I am finding all your ways of dealing with it work.

Still taking it easy but feel extremely guilty Im used to doing not

watching, the family will be hoping I dont get too used to it lol.

Shirley.