Posted by Carl Plaskett on April 23, 2002 at 19:04:29:
In Reply to: My one year anniversary posted by Rob Hamill on April 23, 2002 at 15:57:57:
Rob: Oh yes, the "benign condition syndrome"! (Oft uttered by those whose lives have not been debilitated by afib and/or drugs). Some day perhaps we will have a cardiologist/poster who HAS been adversely affected enough by afib to undergo the maze or it's successor procedures (which ARE coming). Until they are here, the maze is the surest cure, and it just keeps getting better.
I sure remember your pre-maze posts, Rob, and I shared the same trepidations, as have all of us, if we are honest. Like you, I was fortunate enough to have the serious consult with Dr. Hammer and decided the risk/reward potential was worth what seemed to be a small gamble. The gamble is just about nil! Now with about twice as many mazes "under their belts", the Cleveland Clinic has an even better success rate, still with no fatalities of which I am aware.
I almost feel uncomfortable with your statement that "This board convinced me.", since this is a personal decision, which should not be taken lightly by those considering it OR their doctors, who probably don't know, first-hand the effects afib has on an active person.
I DO however, have a sense of satisfaction that so many people, including you and I, have had the positive life-changing effect of the maze. The last 15 months of my life have been so different, I almost have to pinch myself daily, just to believe good heart health is back!
Congrats on your one year anniversary, and keep sharing your experiences for others.