Posted by Jack Drum on May 08, 2001 at 19:08:57:
I AM STARTING THE CELEBRATING TOMORROW.
8 Year ago my Cardiologist told me about a surgical procedure that would probably cure my Atrial Fibrillation. He said that it was developed by a surgeon at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. by the name of Dr. Cox, but a local surgeon in Peoria, Illinois where I live by the name of Dale M. Geiss had started doing them, and had done 8 of them with great success. At that time my AF was about every two weeks, and tolerable. I told him thanks, but no thanks, that I didn't think that it had been proven enough. He said that when the AF effected my quality of life enough to let him know and he would send me to see the surgeon. In March 98 my AF reached the point that I was in AF most of the time and could do nothing.
I talked to the surgeon about the middle of March, and he asked me when I would like to have it done, and I asked him how soon could he do it.
APRIL 10th IN 98 WAS THE BIG DAY. I went into surgery about 7 am, and had the full open heart Maze. I spent the night in recovery, as the ICU was full. The morning of the 11th I was moved into a regular room on the Heart Floor, where I was up walking the halls for a total of 1/2 mile in 7 trips around the floor the day after surgery. I was released and went home the morning of the 15th. I had what I think was a rapid recovery, with a couple of bumps, but nothing serious.
I have been AF free and on NO medications for AF since I left the hospital.
My best wishes to everyone who has been there and done that, and to the ones such as John that is getting ready for the trip.
I also want to thank everyone who has used this web site and made it what it is. When I started the site it was going to be just for 3 months to see if it took off. At the end of the 3 months it seemed to be gaining support and helping some, so I decided to keep it going, and due to all of you using it, I am glad that I did.
Enough of my rambling. TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!