Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Home Again!

After a very full day yesterday at the hospital I was discharged this morning.  Oh my is it good to be home!  (Isn't the word "home" a lovely word?)


If you've been visiting here for a while, you've read about the surprise heart problems that I have been dealing with... if you haven't, and are interested, you can read part one, two, three and four.

Yesterday I was admitted to the hospital for an ablation.  During that procedure doctors sent catheters up to my heart from veins in my groin and attempted to induce the "bad" heart rhythm with the goal of "mapping" the electrical circuits of my heart and then ablating (or cauterizing) the problematic circuits.


In my case, the doctors were trying to induce and then ablate a particularly problematic arrhythmia called ventricular tachycardia.  We knew for sure that this was a problem for me as it was documented during a treadmill EKG test a few weeks ago.

Unfortunately the doctors could not induce my heart to go into VTach, so they were unable to ablate for that arrhythmia (and they did try hard... for 3.5 hours!), but they did find out, in an unexpected turn of events that I also have SVT.  (Supraventricular Tachycardia... a fast heart rhythm that originates somewhere outside of the ventricles).  They were able to map and ablate not one, not two, but three extra extra AV Node pathways (AVNRT).  Crazy!  So that should take care of some of the heart issues that I have been having (waking up at night with my heart racing, etc.)

However it still leaves the VTach issue unresolved.  My cardiologist has encouraged me to begin to exercise once again (always *with* someone, of course) and hopefully I can capture additional VTach episodes on a heart monitor that I'll be using.  I'm really not sure how this will play out.  Obviously VTach can not go untreated, but I really don't want to be on medication my whole life for that.  


It is possible that ablation for the VTach could work in the future if I have been exercising right up till the time of the ablation (I have basically sat for the last month) and if I weren't taking the beta blockers that I have been on.

Perhaps the Lord has healed the VTach?  That, of course, would be the best thing.  Only time will tell, I suppose.  I am most certainly hesitant to swim or get out on my bike on the road until I am very sure that the VTach won't return.

My cardiologist assures me that the fact that my heart is very healthy and doesn't have any scar tissue (apart from the ablation yesterday!) puts me in a *very* low risk category for cardiac arrest.  Most likely I would "just" pass out from further VTach episodes.  While I am glad that I most likely won't die from a heart attack, I don't exactly relish the idea of passing out from VTach episodes either!  But I haven't yet passed out from them, so hopefully that won't be an issue in the future.


So that's pretty much where things are now… on one hand I am pretty optimistic about getting to start running and exercising again, on the other hand, I'm pretty bummed out that this whole issue still isn't resolved.  But, as always, God is good and His plans and timing perfect.

But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD,
I say, "You are my God."
My times are in Your hand.
 Ps. 31:14

Thanks *so* much for praying and checking in!


13 comments:

  1. Will continue to pray that things can get fixed! Glad the ablation was semi-sorta successful!

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    1. Thanks *so* much, Tammy! I really appreciate your prayers!

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  2. There've been so many twists and turns in your road!! Praying that you will have patience and unwavering trust.

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    1. Thanks Carmen, you have no idea how much I appreciate your prayers and encouraging comments!

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  3. That is too bad they could not completely deal with the problem and I pray they will in the future. Your attitude of joy and trust has to be good medicine for your heart. :)

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    1. Thanks *so* very much for your prayers, my friend. God *is* good and His plans perfect! What an adventure to walk with Him!

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  4. So glad to "see" you home! Praising God for good news! And still praying!

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    1. Rachel,

      Thanks *so* much! I appreciate *you* and your prayers and comments~ more than you'll know!

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  5. Last night I dreamed that I was at a big fair and everyone was having fun, enjoying themselves. There was good food everywhere and smiling, happy people. I was walking along and suddenly you and your husband and children walked by me. I called out to you and said I had been praying for you and was so glad to see you out and about. You thanked me and told me you were going to be just fine. All of you looked so happy and were having such a wonderful time. Perhaps it means something. I certainly pray the Lord has touched you and will continue to do so and bring complete wholeness to your entire cardiovascular system.
    Blessings~

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    1. That's *awesome*! What a cool dream! And you know what? It *is* true… heart issues or no~ His plans are always good! And yes, I am having a blast following my Savior~ what an adventure it is! Thanks *so* much for your prayers and encouragement!

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  6. My precious friend. This is good news! Although, I do appreciate the disappointment with the unresolved part concering the VTach stuff. I have been praying for you!!! I woke up in the night (early Monday morning...2AM here) and prayed for you! The LORD has brought you to mind numerous times and we have lifted you all up to the LORD in prayer. Thank you for this update. SO glad you are HOME!! And, yes...ALWAYS have someone with you as you exercise!! :)

    I will continue to pray as the LORD continues to bring you to mind. (I know HE will!)

    Much Love,
    Camille

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    1. Thanks *so* much Camille! I am still praying for Austin and for all of you as well~ its good to rely on the Lord in new ways, isn't it? I wouldn't choose it, but He is good and faithful~ so I'll follow Him and the paths He chooses, any day!

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  7. Just a note that you're in my prayers today and I'm grateful for your willingness to share with us here on this blog! I love keeping in touch with you here even if i really can't touch you like i wish i could...with a Real Hug and not a cyber one...but here's a cyber one anyway! Hope you have a beautiful day!!! May the knowledge that many of us out here in cyber land think of you, care for you and pray for you bring a touch of encouragement and healing to your sweet heart!!! Joyfully in Jesus, Joyce Stewart

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