Return of the Duck. The Saga Continues.......

[Ducky2003]

Good morning guys and gals.Hope everyone is as well as they can be.

Well, here's the promised update from a couple of years ago but to be fair, nothing much had happened on the heart surgery front, I'd been in nsr and I have still been contributing replies.

Settle down with a strong drink of choice, probably snacks and visit the loo before you start, especially if you're on Furusemide.

This is the cardiac version on War and Peace.

I think at last post 2 years ago, I was on the list for mitral valve repair and had been back in nsr for a few weeks, following a much needed cardioversion. 4 months later, I was still feeling fantastic so at my EP appointment, he said there was a possibility that my atrium may have shrunk back and the valve may have improved so he referred me for an "urgent" scan to check.

The "urgent" scan took nearly 5 months and had to see the nice surgeon (same chap I mentioned in previous posts) again for him to tell me, the valve still required repair.

I'd been sidelined on the list, whilst waiting for the scan bit and was now back on it and it would be a couple of months probably.

I'd already got eye surgery scheduled for the end of last May and he grumbled about having to wait for 2 months after that before he could do the heart surgery so tried to persuade me to put off the eye surgery.

My argument was, I'd been waiting 18 months for the eye surgery and had a definite date but he couldn't give me a date for the valve op.

He grumbled again but said he'd go along with that.

So, fast forward to now and still no contact about the valve op.

I had intended to start chasing it at the end of the month but having felt great and no AF for 2 years, I'd kinda put it to the back of my mind, partly unconsciously and partially deliberately.

Then bang! 2 weeks ago the dreaded AF returned. 2 blissful years of nsr and feeling fab out of the window. Yes, I did cry. Yes I did want a brandy and a Greggs sausage roll (I'm not a choccy person) but had neither.

I'd last spoken to my EP last August and confirmed all was still well but he suggested taking Perindopril in addition to everything else. I wasn't happy about it as I didn't want anything to upset my currently happy system (if not broken don't fix philosophy) so I didn't take it.

I emailed the EP as soon as the AF was back and he put me on the list for a DCCV and, fortunately, on Friday, I was offered a cancellation for today otherwise, it could have been a 3 month wait.

I've chased the surgeons secretary as well, twice, and not had a reply to my voicemails so I will try again tomorrow (assuming all goes well with the DCCV 😳) and then, no more Mrs nice Duck.

Even after quite a few DCCVs in my time, still get nervous but having been woken at 4.45am with a pulse of 132 and 20 kittens doing the samba in my chest, I know it needs doing. Hopefully it will work and tide me over until the valve surgery.

Having it done in the private hospital but on the NHS. At least, they have a better class of post zapping sandwich over there. One of my patients works in cardiac admin for the NHS based in the private hospital so she assures me she have me in the penthouse suite with meals by Gordon Ramsay.

Well, that's where I am currently (no pun intended).

If you've managed to get this far without stimulants, I'd doff my hat to you, if I wore hat......... I do occasionally wear a McLaren bobble hat, but not now the weather has improved.

Hopefully, all will go well today and nsr will be resumed. I'd forgotten how debilitating it can be, especially with the rvr, which likes to walk hand in hand with my AF, like 2 inseparable lovebirds.

I'll keep you good folk posted........assuming there are no issues. I take nowt for granted these days.

Ang

Ps.......it probably wasn't the best idea to watch Surgeons at the Edge of Life last night 😳

[Jay10]

Hope DCCV goes ok and you are back in NSR which will tide you over until the op.I had my first DCCV last week as I went to A&E with rate over 135 which my Flecainide couldnt stop. It was a good experience and hopefully did the trick, in NSR again 😊

All the best, Jackie

[Ducky2003 in reply to Jay10]

Thank you. It's worked the previous times but if the valve is worse, that may influence its success today. Fingers and toes are crossed.

[Nannysue1]

Oh 2yrs without AF, at least that was a small mercy. Hoping all goes well for you today. Thankfully, I've forgotten what it feels like to be in AF but I know that I'd never want to be back there again.Take care and good luck. Sue

[Ducky2003 in reply to Nannysue1]

Thank you.😊

[Jajarunner]

It's so disappointing when ablations fail. I had three in 20 months and they lasted about four months on average.

My personal highspot was me in fast AF (195) sitting at the bottom of the stairs sobbing "I'M NOT GOING TO A&E!!! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME" several times. My husband's brilliant reply "I'll go and pack your bag". 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Not my finest moment.

On the plus side a HR like that gets an emergency DCCV (every cloud...)

Hope you are feeling better soon 🙏

[Ducky2003 in reply to Jajarunner]

All my DCCVs have been elective and I've been quite relieved about that with some of the A&E episodes I've had.My actual ablation failed 3 years ago but tge 2 years nsr was due to my last DCCV.

We've all been there on that stair. 😊

[Jajarunner in reply to Ducky2003]

Nice of you to say so. It's better than punching a wall I suppose 🤣🤣🤣

[Holly_lax in reply to Jajarunner]

Hi, can I ask how long you’ve waited at a high rate before going to a&e?

[Jajarunner in reply to Holly_lax]

Knowing it never reverts naturally, I go straight away - get it over and done with especially since the quicker the DCCV the quicker I get over the afib. I always go to the big teaching hospital an hour away as my local hospital doesn't like doing DCCVs and will insist on trying a load of drugs I've had before which don't work. Last time I went there they gave me UV flecainide; amiodarone and a beta blocker before finally agreeing I needed an urgent DCCV. No surprise my heart was a bit reluctant to get going again after that DCCV!In the morning the cardiologist told me I hadn't had flecainide first but amiodarone and that the flecainide was oral not iv!!! I had to be quite rude to him as he just wouldn't believe me as the notes were all wrong!!! Hence the longer journey to the big hospital, even better they are twinned with Papworth cardiac centre where my EP is and so communicate with him well.

Rant over!!

[CDreamer]

See you still haven’t lost your sense of humour. 👍

It’s a job in itself keeping up with all the bits that are failing or falling off!

I went to GP surgery this morning for regular blood draw, attempts in both arms failed, got the vein OK but evidently no blood in them, 🤷😱 despite drinking several glasses of water and keeping arm warm and fist pumps etc. At same time urine sample discovered blood in urine and suspected UTI and then referral for urgent appointment for skin lesion which isn’t healing. Wish I’d stayed at home in bed! Still all credit to a very observant nurse.

Hope all goes well for you later today. Best wishes.

[Ducky2003 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you. They seem to get blood out of me ok but trying to put a cannula in, they play hunt the vein and I end up looking like a second hand pin cushion.

[CDreamer in reply to Ducky2003]

Know that one!

[pusillanimous in reply to Ducky2003]

Nobody tells me I have beautiful eyes, but everyone in the medical profession who needs access, admires my wonderful veins😃

[Ducky2003 in reply to pusillanimous]

🤣🤣🤣. They used to remark how good mine were (veins) but during the AF years not so.☹️

[Auriculaire in reply to Ducky2003]

Good luck with the cardioversion and even better luck with chasing up the valve op. I developed a reputation for lousy veins at the private clinic I go to after my hospitalisation there for diverticulitis. For my subsequent bowel op and 2 hip replacements the ward nurses refused to attempt to put in the canula and sent me to theatre without one , muttering darkly that the theatre nurses could have the joy of struggling with my recalcitrant veins.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Auriculaire]

🤣🤣🤣. There was a saga withe mine yesterday I will include in my diatribe later. 😁

[Rainfern]

Good luck and hope all goes well for you today. It must be so disappointing having AF return (I dread it but know the likelihood). That’s certainly a saga of war and peace, well done for keeping your sense of humour despite the roller coaster with competing departments! Plenty deep breaths and take it easy after the DCCV.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Rainfern]

Will do, thank you. Fortunately, I'd already got a week off booked.😊

[Mrsvemb]

Hope all goes well with your DCCV and that you will be back in NSR. Unbelievable how long you have waited for your surgery! Good luck

[Ducky2003 in reply to Mrsvemb]

Thank you. Hubby is annoyed about it but I should have chased it sooner.😊

[Jalia]

Here's hoping all goes to plan for you today and you feel great afterwards. Meanwhile....keep 'em coming! Look forward to your updates.

J x

[Ducky2003 in reply to Jalia]

Thank you. I'm hoping for a straightforward success story rather than one of my epic adventures.😊

[Jalia in reply to Ducky2003]

Please don't hold back!

[Ducky2003 in reply to Jalia]

🤣🤣🤣

[baba]

Sending you best wishes

[Ducky2003 in reply to baba]

Thank you 😊

[Qualipop]

Best of luck; hope it works. Oh I watched Surgeons last night- absolutely utterly amazing. I have spine problems like that man- put me right off surgery despite the pain. It looked so brutal (and dangerous) but t otally amazing what they can do.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you. 😊 My poor hubby kept putting his paper up in front of him as I don't think he wanted to know what lay ahead for me.

[Qualipop in reply to Ducky2003]

I get that. Mine won't even be in the same room as the TV. I'm a need to know sort of person but must admit that spinal op brought it home just how dangerous it is and why they've refused to do mine until it gets much worse.

[BobD Volunteer]

Good to hear from you , bad about the news. Stay strong.

[Ducky2003 in reply to BobD]

Will do Bob, although, every time I have a DCCV, I can't help think of what happened with you. 😳.Off shortly so better loin my gerds.😊

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Ducky2003]

One in five million. I asked Prof Camm once if he had ever seen it and he told me not in fifty years.

[Karendeena in reply to BobD]

What was that Bob, missed it?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Karendeena]

PEA. Pulseless electrical activity. Happened to me after a DCCV, The ECG says all is well but the muscle is not responding, No pulse, no output - you are dying. CPR for 3.5 minutes plus direct injection of adrenaline and a few broken ribs later I was back. Must have been a real OH SH*T! moment for somebody but I wasn't there at the time.

[Karendeena in reply to BobD]

Flippin hec Bob you are a walking miracle!! And .....you still keep your sense of humour 🤪

[Ducky2003 in reply to BobD]

I know but I tend to get called "special" and I don't think they mean it in a good sense. 😁

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Ducky2003]

Yes I know that look too! I have just found out I need to have a bone marrow sample taken to investigate strange blood results. I must run out of rare problems one day I hope. Keep smiling though as it confuses people.

[Ducky2003 in reply to BobD]

🤣 or they think you have wind. Hope the sampling and results go well. You've probably got pure Castrol GTX running through your system by now.

[MummyLuv]

well what an update, I’m hoping for you now afib is gone and you’ve had success! Roll on the surgery, waiting is so hard! Good to see your humour is still there if Gordon Ramsay is cheffing at your hospital I’m booking in 🤣🤣

[Ducky2003 in reply to MummyLuv]

Thank you. All well at the moment. It was Gordon's day off but they did a very nice beetroot, houmous and avocado sandwich. 😁

[bassets]

Best of luck Ducky, and best wishes.x

[Lenlec]

good luck. Hope it all goes smoothly

[H48007]

Hope all goes well

[Karendeena]

Hi Ange, so sorry for you that your AF has returned 😔 Have you had an ablation previously? Your post did make me smile at times though, I love the analogy of the kittens doing the samba in your chest! 😆I have always struggled to explain what AF attacks feel like, but this is the best!

The way you say 'nowt' suggests Yorkshire??

[Ducky2003 in reply to Karendeena]

Thanks. Ablation 3 years ago which went pear shaped after 6 weeks. Last DCCV 2 years ago which had kept me ticking along quite nicely until 2 weeks ago.Sorry, not Yorkshire, despite the "nowt". Im a Coventry kid. 😊

[lifts984]

Well , you seem to have managed very well considering the failings of our beloved NHS ! I congratulate you in having truly a great sense of humour and I wish you all the very bestir the future whatever surgical interventions

[Ducky2003 in reply to lifts984]

Thank you. Have to laugh or you'd cry. 😊

[DrBook]

I'm new here but I wish you all best today and in the days to come.

Brian

[Ducky2003 in reply to DrBook]

Thank you Brian. I'm doing an update from yesterday later. Being new you won't have been subject to my previous witterings so well done for getting to the end of this one.😁

[SuziElley]

Ducky, while it’s lovely to see you back here, it’s not so lovely for you with all this back and forth! Keep smiling, or quacking and let’s hope all normal service returns soon!! 💕

[fairgo45]

You were brave watching Surgeons on the TV if it was the episode I saw massive aorta and valve replacement still it had a happy ending as of course you will that was a very amusing post

[Handel]

You're so upbeat and hilarious (and I need to add Tena pads to my shopping list).😂.

I hope everything falls into place and you get sorted out soon. Nothing worse when you've got 3 or 4 things that need action (and they all get put off!).

Keep us updated.

Lots of love and hugs. Jan xxxx

[Ducky2003 in reply to Handel]

I'll warn you next time you'll need to whip out the tena. 😁.May be later when I do yesterday's update.😁

[Handel in reply to Ducky2003]

I think a sense of humour helps!! As a diabetic with a cancer just removed and a follow up PET scan showing 'severe coronary artery disease' (who knew!), you just plod on!! My cataract surgery is now on hold! The joys of growing old 😂

I'll stock up with more Tena and hope your next update is a bit more positive.

Love and hugs. Jan xxx

[Ducky2003 in reply to Handel]

Oh dear Jan. Sorry you're having to contend with all that. Sounds like the Tena is the least of the problems.Have they delayed the cataract as they are doing something about the CAD?

I'm only 50s so goodness knows what state I'll be in when I get older...... if I manage to get that far 😁.

[Handel in reply to Ducky2003]

I just plod along!!😂. Yes, the eye stuff has been put off because of the heart stuff. Don't think cataracts will be the end of me and the eye surgeon said they could do with 'ripening a bit more' whatever that means!!!

You look after yourself. I don't want to take over your post with my problems!!

Love and hugs. Jan xxx

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Handel]

My maternal Grandfather was a Handel and he had a brother Haydn.

[Ducky2003 in reply to BobD]

We won't mention your Balbastre. 🤫

[Ablation7]

best of luck!

[Peacefulneedshelp]

Wow, two years without an episode and then bam. I was going on a year and then bam. So crazy.