Posted by Carl Plaskett on March 15, 2003 at 09:40:28:
In Reply to: Maze and getting closer and I am nervous posted by Jim Matthews on March 14, 2003 at 22:37:45:
Jim: I assure you that all mazers (or ablation vets) have been nervous prior to their procedures. More of us than you might imagine had urges to "bolt from the hospital". Once I got to meet with Dr. Hammer @ the CC, I felt that I was in really good hands and that this was my opportunity to get my life back. From that point on, it couldn't come soon enough for me!
As to your questions: these are very individual experiences, and the answers may vary.
1)Driving a car: This will depend upon whether you have a full open-chest routine (probably 4-6 weeks,because of the concern of an accident and frontal inpact from an air bag/steering wheel-wear your seatbelt!); or a minimally invasive procedure (probably 2-3 weeks IF you feel good).
2)Workout: Again, depends upon type of procedure (and how a "workout" is defined). I had the full-chest procedure and was glad to have a wheelchair at the airport on day 7. On day 8, I walked 1/2 mile or so; day 9, about the same-twice; day 10, a mile+, twice; day 11, 3 miles; day 12, 3 miles very fast, twice. I stayed at that level until I didn't have time before work to go for a walk. I did not lift anything of consequence for over a month.
3)Go back to work: Depends upon type of procedure and type of work. I visited my office and went out to check on a project on day 10, about 1/2 day. From that point for another week or so, I spent less than 1/2 day there most days, and did computer work at home. I was tired by 2PM for about 3 weeks, and would rest and then go for another walk around 5.Nerves? Before or after? Before, I was resigned to the fact that I would not last long with such chronic afib and dangerous drugs, but was completely relaxed after seeing Ed Wehan 4 days post-maze, already released and smiling. Meeting Dr.Hammer supported that feeling. Post maze, I was on a high and needed nothing for nerves. I must emphasize that these were MY experiences. Had I had some of the isolated experiences such as Pati just endured, I would have probably been pretty upset. Most of us have had pretty uneventful, exciting recoveries. Almost all of us have experienced little "blips" or "skips" in our HR for a few months post surgery. If you know these things happen, you should have no concern about them. It is all part of the healing. It is VERY helpful to have a hometown cardiologist/EP who has treated patients post-maze. Those doctors are familiar with what to expect. Doctors without that experience are apt to jump to erroneous conclusions and give post-maze patients drugs or worse. As Pati learned, having a local doctor who was willing to consult with Drs. McCarthy and Hammer was helpful. Not all doctors are willing to ask for such consults.
- Re: Maze and getting closer and I am nervous Pati 21:53:14 3/16/2003 (1)
- Re: Maze and getting closer and I am nervous Carl Plaskett 22:26:25 3/16/2003 (0)