Grasshopper No.l elected to have a procedure done to her heart to eliminate the random accelerated heartbeat. The procedure has been around for 25 years and was performed by a doctor that has done it since it's inception. They kiddingly call him "God" for the procedure.
It started with an early 5:00 AM trip from Sheboygan to Milwaukee (I think the sun was just coming up). 6:00 AM "check in" at the Milwaukee Hospital. 8:00 AM the operation began.
They stuff something down your throat (I guess to help you breathe).
I'm not sure about the consciousness of the patient but I believe she was oblivious to the medical procedure. They entered her heart by way of the groin. They open a major artery in the groin and used three medical devices to crawl up to the heart. It is incredible to think they put 3 devices in one artery (a three lane highway if you will). The devices were used to change the actual electrical impulses that the heart uses to open and close major heart valves. 4 valves were involved. They cauterize electrical circuits in the heart to create a calculated interruption. In the weeks and months that follow, scar tissue builds up. The scar tissue creates the desired interruption. It will take awhile to determine the degree of success but the doctor indicated that he witnessed the potential cause in a "right side" artery. That is better than my root canal where the doctor said "whoops".
The operation was over at 10:00 AM. Grasshopper No. 1's husband was set for the day. He had an Ipod that had been refreshed the night before. He had radios. He had magazines. He had errands to run. He was there to pull her through!
After a overnight stay, it was home and sleep. More sleep. My experience says that it will take the body 6 months to a year to adjust. Just because it was a one night stay gives a false sense of confidence. Any time you screw with the heart, it is serious.
The biggest caution now is to get the major groin artery to "knit" back together and regain it's original strength. I guess the blood leakage from the operation creates an interesting bruise. An interesting large bruise.
So at this point in time, everything went as planned. Hopefully the long term results are as planned.
In this world of increasing electronic developments and micro-sized operating equipment it is amazing what they can do. It is incredible to think you can get 3 operating instruments in one artery.
So Monday it is back to work! Unbelievable. There must have been an an angel or two on her shoulder.
Love,
Dad
The heart valves were not in question here. There are 4 large blood vessels that leave the heart chamber I am having problems with. This chamber sends the blood out of the heart. Because it beats so fast (alot of fluttering), only 40% of the blood was leaving the heart, leaving the rest to pool and risk clotting. (Clotting can cause a stroke if one of the clotts are released into my body).
Ablation may be effective when medications don't work. In this procedure, thin and flexible tubes are introduced through a blood vessel and directed to the heart muscle. (In my case 3 catheters were placed in a large vein in my groin) Then a burst of radiofrequency energy (burning) is delivered to destroy tissue that triggers abnormal electrical signals or to block abnormal electrical pathways around the 4 blood vessels. To stop the flutter or the rapid heart rate.
2 days after the procedure, I have no chest pain, it is sorer where the catheters were placed into the vein, and I sleep alot. That comes from the uncomfortable beds in the hospital. 3 days of rest and then back to normal...some TLC.
Just a quick note to say Hi to everybody...
My wife and I had the pleasure of bumping into the "Oracle of Appleton" and his wife at their favorite eating & drinking hole (Chili's) on Memorial Day weekend, and I thought I would use that opportunity to finally visit his blog.
Last evening I spent the better part of an hour reading articles in the archive trying to get caught up on all that I've missed. I believe that the blog has become an excellent outlet of information --- (financial, family history, current events, etc., etc.) What a wonderful gift by the familly....
As I eagerly await the next posting, I hope that no one is bothered by an additional set of eyes visiting this site.
Best Regards,
Joe Andrews
P.S. - Debbie, you're in our thoughts and prayers! ;-)