Posted by Carl Plaskett on April 27, 2001 at 19:23:37:
As I posted in a response to Lowell's "to maze or not to maze" question last night, I am home, still in SR, perhaps with the help of 150mg Rythmol, 3x/day.
As far as I know I have not been in AF since sometime Monday night/Tuesday
morning.
While it still hurts to cough and I have some tape "burns" which sting, I know I
will want to try getting back into shape ASAP. I just returned from the second
1/2 mile walk I have taken today, and feel fine. My heart rate got as high as
97, but I thought I was walking at a normal pre-AF pace for me.
I appreciate the emails and phone calls during this experience. I gathered great strength from this "Alumni" board, which I know helped me through. I hope my reports will continue to be upbeat, and helpful to those considering this procedure.
Regarding the Cleveland Clinic: Like Ed Wehan and Mike Johnson, I was in awe of the magnitude of this facility. Nevertheless, I felt the care was exemplary. I may have gone to a smaller, closer facility, but none of them were covered by AetnaUSHealthcare, so I had to pick CC. Given my experience, I am glad that I
did, since I feel they learn something from each procedure which might make the next a little better. Since they do so many maze procedures, I feel they
are learning at a faster rate.
I do believe, from reading other posts, that the open chest procedure may give better access for the surgeon, at least on a large person such as myself. Since Dr. McCarthy had just done a mini-maze on another large person, who was having some trouble getting into SR, MAYBE they decided to do the open chest procedure to see if they got different results. Of course the 2 of us had completely different AF histories, the commonality was body size. I had asked about the open chest procedure beforehand and they said I would be getting the mini-maze, so I accepted it. God only knows what would have happened had it been done...perhaps the same result.
I was concerned about the "factory-like" setting, but really felt as though they were giving me the best possible care, so I just left it up to them. I know this site has some impact, since Ed, Mike, and myself had met/contacted each other before our surgeries. Both Dr. McCarthy and Dr. Hammer commented upon the fact that we "knew" each other. Psychologically it was a good thing, because it made me feel as though they were caring for me on a little more personal basis. 2 "thumbs up" for CC from me at this point.
If anyone wants more info or encouragement re: the maze, email me.