Hi everyone. I thought my story my be of interest to anyone have an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) repaired.
Admitted to St Thomas's on 7 September for a trans catheter closure of the ASD. Usual warning with consent form etc. Woke up after procedure and told earthing went well. I had to lay still to stop the wound in my groin from reopening. Later that day I had an ultrasound scan to make sure all was well. Eventually discharged by ward sister about 8pm. However, I had not seen a Doctor post procedure to discuss anything.
Travelling home by Tube and when I could get a phone signal, I had numerous missed calls from the hospital. Called them back and was told to immediately come back to hospital as they could not see the closure device on the scan and needed to check its position.
I returned to hospital where I was taken for an Xray followed by a CT scan. It turns out the closure device had moved and was now sitting in a pulmonary artery. I was told that I was an emergency case and would have to undergo open heart surgery to repair the ASD and retrieve the closure device. Early next morning I was taken to theatre, and a had chat with the surgeon (who was very reassuring). Next thing I remember was waking up in the intense care unit with drains and other things sticking out of me.
My head was all over the place for the first 2 days (weird dreams, panic attacks etc). But the good news is that over the next few day things improved and I could begin to move about. Eventually discharged 12 days later and since I have been recovering from home. I have progressively become more active and stronger although I am still a bit breathless.
Disappointingly, I was supposed to have a follow up appointment with the surgeon within 2 weeks and the Adult Congenital Heart team around 6 weeks post surgery. No contact yet but I am chasing them up
Now on a cocktail of tablets to control Afib which was brought on by the surgery.
Sorry for the long post but I wanted to show that even when things go wrong there is still a way forward.