Mefinks Frank Tyson would have made a good EP!
Well, the experience of having my Cryoablation is now complete and I feel good! Arrived at St George's at sparrows fart......very early for our more refined readers. A charming young man escorted us patients to the ward were I was prepared for the mornings activity. Everything was done to ease any tensions with coffee and biscuits available for my wife, as the pre-procedure formalities were explained. So far, no desire to do a runner. My EP explained the procedure in much more detail by pointing out the risks to make sure that I proceeded with my eyes open.
Once gowned, three of us, all about to face different but similar procedures, walked down into one of the many cath labs clutching a pillow and blanket. The whole area was very impressive being full of amazing technology and manned and womaned by teams of very professional looking people. The EP positioned me onto the bed and within minutes I was out of it. I missed the tube down the throat routine but the local sedation began to wear off as the ablation procedure started. I knew nothing about the catheters passing through the veins, but I was very aware of the effects of the freezing procedure. It was weird, There was some discomfort which became quite unpleasant but it was the involuntary shivering that took me by surprise. I could hear calls for more morphine to help ease the discomfort and I was wrapped in something like a duvet and I could hear electric fans wacking out heat around my body. The next unpleasant experience was when I heard the word pacing, because this meant my body was going to receive a few jolts to get me back into rhythm. I would be less than honest if I didn't admit to being relieved when that part of the procedure was over. To some extent the exposure to some of this discomfort was my fault as I was told to make the EP aware if things were getting uncomfortable, but I could just hear Beancounter calling me a whuss if I had spoken out!
I was pleased when I heard the procedure was over and had been successful. I could not feel the catheters being removed but I could feel the pressure being applied to my right groin, hence being black an blue - but with no discomfort. By the time I reached the ward and met up with my wife, all the less pleasant issues I experienced during the procedure had disappeared. The recovery ward was excellent, very spacious and only six patients, great nursing staff and good food with plentiful supplies of tea and coffee.
I have since heard that the EP also ablated for some flutter at the same time so now it is wait and see time, and as Bob would say......nothing more energetic than pressing the buttons on the TV channel selector!
John
How I feel post ablation
In recovery....
ablation update as promised 
Pace and Ablate? You won't believe what happened to me last Friday as I lay on the table in the EP Lab. I still can't believe it.
My PVI Experience (yesterday)
