Posted by John Behle on October 09, 2002 at 13:34:20:
In Reply to: Open Question: WHY? posted by Dan on October 08, 2002 at 22:31:56:
I didn't believe I would even live another year. Even if the last 18 months was all it bought me, I've had an incredible time with our new baby and my 4 year old.
AND!!!!! that was time spent playing with them, not laying on my back watching them and wishing I could.
I've had increasing AFib and decreasing health for over 30 years. Maybe 20 years ago it wasn't at a point where I would consider open heart surgery. Ten years ago the prospect of an RF ablation seemed scary, but even then the possiblity of a cure was exciting. Little did I know that it can be even more risky then the MAZE and the cure is unlikely. When I discovered the MAZE, I was basically quite upset that the "So-called" experts I had gone to were not aware or were too self-invested to suggest it.
I was researching a drug "Tambocor" that had worked for someone in a similar situation. It led me to an Atrial Fibrillation newsgroup. I was excited to find out I wasn't alone. While most others discussed medications, their side effects and their uselessness - one post stood out. Jim Pope wrote about a procedure that cured him and sent him back to an active and productive life. His website led me to the MAZE alumni group created by Jack Drum. Three of the most dear people in the world to me are Jim Pope, Jack Drum and Dr. Millar.
When I found this newsgroup I was so over-whelmed I could not speak. To think there was a chance at life again was amazing.
Hard decision???? I would have jumped on a plane and flown to Cleveland or wherever I needed to immediately. To find one of the most experienced surgeons a few miles away was thrilling. To sit in his office and have him look at my EKG, then me and say something like "So, do you want to put an end to this" will stand out in my mind forever.
Sure, it was scary. I worked for several months to get strong enough to actually have the surgery. A part of me wanted to jump in the car and drive as far and long in the opposite direction as I could.
But - I had hit a point where I would have rather died than continue the AFib. There was little quality of life. I read every post here. I did have the confidence that the cure rate is high and the risks are low. "Open heart surgery" these days sounds far worse than it is. I guess even doctors that don't do it are still leary of it. I even had the cardiologist that Dr. Millar sent me to for an "echo" try and talk me out of it. He wanted to go in and "ablate the AV Node" and put in a Pacemaker, which I've learned since would likely have done NOTHING to cure or even help the AFib.
It reminds me a little of "Sky diving" close to thirty years ago. Hanging on the strut of the plane was frightening. Letting go was hard. Free fall for a few seconds was terrifying. Then the shute opened and there was a gentle float to the ground.
I still would not be excited about the surgery - but I would do it every year if that is what it took to be free of AFib. To do it once and be free forever is amazing.
- Re: Because I deserved to live Carl Plaskett 16:42:38 10/09/2002 (1)
- And thanks to you and others John Behle 18:40:50 10/09/2002 (0)