My 2018 and Happy New Year!

I'm inspired by the year-end posts and have been reflecting on 2018 myself. Funny how at year-end, I find myself feeling much as I did as the year began, which was right after my 2nd ablation in Dec. 2017.

After months of various ups and downs and episodes and exploring 2 AF forums that had me skedaddling away soon after joining, it was finding you all in August that instigated the big changes that have helped so much.

I initiated getting off of Metoprolol after 5 years; HR has stayed in an excellent range and I'm free of the awful side effects.

I learned about the many ways folks experience AF and how it's treated and was inspired to speak up more with my docs. This has been huge for me. That power dynamic with docs can be quite a challenge!! Very happy to end the year with a cardio and EP I like, respect, trust, and can hold my own with. No more do I crumble in appts. Ha! 🎉

I managed to slog through insurance battles over 4 months and save myself $5000 I would've been charged for last year's ablation had I not. Found a sympathetic and competent manager to go to bat for me who's also promised to help me out if I go back for ablation #3. I have the sense you don't have to deal with this nonsense in the UK (?). The financial aspect of care is another whole project to take on, so I'm grateful to have triumphed in that arena.

I feel like I've made progress in the mental game of dealing with AF. Learning quickly about what works and what doesn't, letting things go immediately that don't work, allowing for periodic meltdowns of frustration about it all, but not letting it completely take over my life and remembering the value of a sense of humor in dealing with it all. That's also been huge and you've helped me enormously in that regard by example and through your kindness and good humor.

Wrangling with Flecainide has been an ongoing subplot to 2018....glad I learned so much from you all about it. If I'd only listened to my doc, who knows where I'd be now.

I taught my students, got some interesting private clients, and while there have been some nail-biter months, I am extremely grateful to have kept a roof over my head in spite of many sleepless nights of AF followed by going to teach and feeling miserable. I made it through and managed to not bite anyone's head off in the process. A major accomplishment, that. 😹

All that being said, I do feel better overall as 2018 ends. My EP says having a 3rd ablation is up to me, if I get sick of the episodes. I'll be looking into possibly having one in 2019. I did manage to get tickets to Hamilton for next year, so any ablation will have to be scheduled around it. Priorities! 🎼

Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉 🎉 🥰

[Hilly22]

Leaps and bounds, loved reading this. Happy New Year to you and Nella xx

[Kaz747]

Happy New Year Nella. It’s great to see the positivity in your post xx

[Hidden in reply to Kaz747]

Thanks, Kaz. I've definitely had my ups and downs, the latest funk being just yesterday, though I did manage to stop the episode with Flec and not get overwhelmed by it, so that's progress. It's one way this forum and upbeat people like you help me to pull myself out of the funks and keep going. Connecting with people who understand helps me to keep perspective and be grateful. I am determined to celebrate the smallest accomplishment. 💪🏼 🎉

[Kaz747 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve found the same sort of confidence to through the forum members. It’s great to hear other people’s experiences and be able to learn from them.

[wilsond in reply to Kaz747]

And I have valued youre contributions as we struggle to make sense of itnall,or just need to sound off to someone who KNOWS how we feel! All the best Karen xxx

[Kaz747 in reply to wilsond]

It’s amazing how much we learn from each other 😃

[wilsond in reply to Hidden]

Well said Nella! Its so good to talk to people who really understand... And who are so supportive! Tryiing to type with a very nervous geriatric large golden retreiver (calledMonty )on my bed...new years eve fireworks effect..pls excuse typos and hasty reponse..best wishes xx

[wilsond]

Happy new year! Upwards and onwards as my dear mum used to say! Xxxx

[Bertiedette]

Happy ,healthy new year.🌞🌈🌞🌈🌞

[Bagrat]

I hope you find balance in 2019 and thankyou for your good wishez