my post ablation update: blanking period

[37Polly]

Hi friends, I past my three month “ blanking period”for my ablation this past Friday. I wonder if anyone ever spent less time focused on getting beyond their blanking period than I have. Would that I could have cared!

After pneumonia in both lungs and a struggle to find an antibiotic that would address the pneumonia, three trips to the hospital, the last in a loud ambulance during rush hour, scaring my neighbors that I had died, I have spent the last two months with plural effusion.

For the lucky uninformed that’s fluid in the chest cavity that collapsed most of my left lung. All very uncomfortable and worrying to my loved ones and not really helpful in getting beyond my ablation, which we’d all thought was going to be the major concern.

Of course, I sadly missed my oldest grandson’s wedding, a month into my drama.

Now I write this several days after enduring another procedure I unfortunately have discovered, called a thoracentesis, where while leaning over a table a radiologist watches a ultrasound as he places a needle through your back between your ribs and draws more liquid than you can believe you could possibly hold. Yes it limits your breathing, and is all terrifying. But if you’re lucky it solves a lot.

So for any who wondered if I had survived after all your support, it appears I may indeed survive, as tests from fluids keep rolling in indicating it’s all just the results of a bad luck post ablation rare issue.

My afib, aflutter, and tachycardia seem to be well tamed and my fingers are still crossed they stay away. My EP and Massachusetts General still get high marks from me for the ablation, but my local EP and hospital have saved my life and done more than I can list here. I really was almost the case of “ the operation was a complete success but the patient died.” It’s possible folks. This may not be open heart surgery but it’s still serious stuff, for some.

I am grateful. I am alive and here to share. Would I do it all again if I knew what was ahead? Not sure today. There are risks. Still hanging in and reading all your wisdom. Sorry for length but I couldn’t not share. Polly

[CDreamer]

Very pleased that you have survived and come through with such good humour. Yes, complications from ablation are VERY rare and they do happen.

Do hope the rest of your recovery is less problematic, wishing you long lasting NSR.

[37Polly in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you. CDreamer. Shameful what we all take for granted, as I welcome normal breathing this morning. And grateful for good healthcare in my little corner.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Polly, goodness you don't do anything by halves do you! So sorry to hear what you've been through.

Wishing you good health now and I'm glad to hear that your heart has been behaving.

Jean

[37Polly in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean. Yes it’s been a long road, but I am grateful for the success thusfar with the ablation. Over the years I hadn’t had a lot of encouragement, given the mixture of afib, aflutter, atypical aflutter and tachycardia, but so far heart seems happy and no more rhythm meds. Week 13 coming up. Now to build some energy again to regain a life.

This site and members like you have been a bulwark. Thanks.

[Ppiman]

Well, that was not a story you wanted to tell, but you are here to tell it and told it well! Hopefully, as the months roll by, you will add an even happier ending to it, as all good stories must have! Let's hope the ablation does its trick.

Steve

[37Polly in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks, Steve. Each day feels a bit better and I am hoping with a bit of luck and some physical therapy I will be back on the golf course in the spring.

Heart is good so far.

[Ppiman]

And get round in 12 over, even!?

Steve

[LaceyLady]

big hugs, puts my bad fall after my ablation into perspective 💗💗💗

[37Polly in reply to LaceyLady]

Thanks Lacey. Sorry about your fall. Yikes. Will watch my step.😊. Hope you’re ok.

[LaceyLady]

Thanks. Looked and was horrendous due to the dratted Apixaban, had that confirmed by consultant last week😳