How on earth is that 2 years since being down in London taking that step into the unknown of having surgical ablation, hoping for a good result, knowing research said I had a good chance, but like everything it’s not guaranteed. Sharing my experience on here with you all each step of the way.
Well 2 years later, no afib 😍 Some ectopics even now but nothing harmful. I’ve added a second lot of titanium to my collection - adding a hip replacement a couple of months ago to the titanium atriclip I have to occlude my left appendage. By the time I have my second hip done later this year I’ll be a bionic woman or an airport security nightmare!!
I’m hoping to add a zip wire down a Norwegian fjord in August to my new found adrenaline junky love after my paraglide over Capetown. No restrictions after the mini maze but a lot of care needed after the hip replacement 🤦♀️ Not sure what’s happened to me as I use to have a fear of heights!
Take care you lovely lot. I am still hanging around like a bad smell 🤣🤣 always happy to answer any questions on mini maze. Delighted that there are a few of us now on here who have all had mini maze - UK, Japan and USA.
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MummyLuv
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I have had 5 afib ablations and have a minimaze operations scheduled for next March with Dr Randall Wolfe, in Houston. Very near the end of 90 day post ablation window and have had 2 afib episodes over the last 2 weeks, so minimaze is likely a go for March. Dr. Wolfe had no problem with recommending procedure should my afib remain problematic. I am very grateful for the forum enlightening me on this option!
Thank you for posting. After so many years of permanent AF and having a good quality of life it makes you wonder if going back to the system for a mini maze is possible or not. My cardio ruled out an ablation early on. But mini mazes weren't a thing then.
If your afib is not affecting you then maybe it’s not worth it? It’s surgery so comes with some risk, same % of complications as a catheter ablation but if life is good there may be little to gain.
Go you. what a trail blazer you and johnmiosh, are you gave me the belief that for me there was a better option than a 5 ablation or pace and ablate. You’ve helped so many people and have been selfless with your time in what I know is an already hectic schedule.
Zip wire sounds great but avoid bungee jumping the research on it is quite concerning.
It takes me all the courage I can muster to get in a plane in the first place. To then willingly jump out of it I can't even begin to contemplate! I thought you had your Mini-Maze done in Sheffield, not London?
Aaah right. I thought I remembered you saying Dr Hunter was from Sheffield hospital. You're a great advert for it Alison. My ablation's holding out for the time being ,but if it fails I think I'd rather do the Mini Maze route rather than bother with another ablation. Don't get me wrong, my experiences with both the procedure and after effects were very good, it's just I don't want to go through it all every couple of years or so, knowing it'll probably return and then get too old to have another or a mini-maze and have to rely on drugs with horrible after-effects. Keep on enjoying every minute of your freedom from the dreaded AF and don't go jumping out of any planes! x
A breath of fresh air this morning when I saw that lovely photo of your smiling happy face. All I'll say is go for it girl that's what life is all about!! From one 86 year old who knows!!
Wonderful news - well done! Enjoy! I had a personality transplant after my first (young like you - 50) hip replacement. I crossed the Channel in a small yacht, something I had been afraid of doing.
Congratulations Alison, you look amazing. You are a wonderful advocate for the mini maze and Mr Hunter, which inspired me to research further and follow in your footsteps. A long way behind you at 7 months but eagerly looking forward to the years ahead.
You are an inspiration, always willing to help with information and support and I am truly grateful to you for that and of course, the brilliant Mr H who made it all happen.
Well Alison, it’s been over 2 and a half years since we first chatted and all the jigsaw puzzle of research that led you to Mr Hunter. So pleased to hear you are still doing well, but do take care with your escapades, you haven’t got a stunt double!
If things go well I will be following in your footsteps soon. Just the small matter that I live one mile on the wrong side of the Welsh/English border. So much for a United Kingdom.
It’s so awful that Wales and Scotland can’t access these skills on NHS, I hope you can find a way. I was hopeful at one point cardiothoracic surgeons in Edinburgh were going to train in hybrid in partnership with a hospital in the Netherlands but it never happened.
So good to hear that you're living your best life! You are my inspiration as you were the first person talking about the mini maze I came across after developing this wretched condition. I have a tentative appointment to go to Tokyo in November but also have a phone appointment booked with Mr Hunter in a couple of weeks.
I'll be very interested to hear what Mr Hunter has to say.
I was all in about going to Tokyo but now my daughter has done a deep dive into gluten free eating in Japan (I have coeliac disease) and it's given me cold feet. She found some really good sources of info from expats living in Japan re coeliac requirements and they said that it's not well known in Japan and that they tend to lump all the grains together so it can be difficult to explain about specific grains, such as barley, for example.
This could be a big problem for me as any time I'm away from home I inevitably get 'glutenated' which not only makes me unwell but also, unfortunately, seems to trigger my AFib.
Brilliant - I'm nearly 2 years on post ablation. I'm in constant low rate (average daily HR of 70-75) AFiB. Not the ideal result but I have no symptoms and I still walk 5 miles a day, gym 3 times a week and can keep up with cadets and young soldiers less than half my age! So life is good
I am pretty sure your posts along with 4chickens are how I dealt with my anxiety post an AF diagnosis, by finding a better solution for AF than a 70% chance.
My Mini-maze has gone from being 10 months away to a short 3 months. Now I am waffling a bit. My AF is better controlled, shorter, and not so scary now. But I know if I wait, I might not be as healthy.
Glad to hear you're doing well MummyLuv! I had a virtual appointment with Dr. Wolfe of the famed Wolfe Mini Maze procedure last week and he said I was a candidate. So I'll be moving forward with that surgery next year. My appointment is in April of 2025 - a long line!! I was surprised how far out his schedule is. I live in Houston so he mentioned I might get a call up in case of a cancellation by one of his other patients. Your story reassures me! Thanks for sharing.
Such brilliant update Alison...how on earth do you have the stamina for that and a hip operation, and then another one on the horizon - staggering. Hopefully that will be the end of your surgery journey. How are you doing after the hip?
My M-in-law (79) had hers done a year and a half ago, and really its made little difference to her as she had it and then just sat about so the benefits are negligible and has decided not to have her 2nd one done, so she is just hobbling about generally
So glad you keep on smiling, very motivational for us others. 😂
my hip replacement was by a method called super path where they don’t cut muscle or tendon so much less trauma, I’m so glad I got it done, no pain, lots more mobility. Looking forward to having the other one done and then can sleep with no pain 😍
Yes I have two medically complex severely disabled children, sleep is rare and disturbed, life is stressful, hence the afib. My daughter has lay across my legs cuddling my feet (she is severely autistic) as a way of calming and comforting herself for the last 16 years and she has worn away my joints. I am praying my knees hold up.
You really do need your health to be sorted as you need your energy for your children, bless. Two ops down, one to go, really hope that one is done soon and successful too xxx
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Mini - maze op! 
mini-maze surgery
The Cox-Maze & Mini-Maze Surgeries and the Hybrid Surgery/Ablation
Wolf Mini Maze
