FINALLY :)

Good evening all.
I know it has been quite some time since I have updated you on my situation.
I am very happy to report that I just had surgery on the 31st.
It took me 3 months and traveling to a hospital 2 1/2 hours away to find a surgeon that would do my procedure, but I am definitely glad that I made the trip.
To refresh memories I was having problems with one of my leads not working correctly. Since the lead was 25 years old It was hard to find a surgeon who would do the extraction. Once I did, I found a fantastic one...Steven Kutalek.
The surgery was definitely not an easy one for anyone involved. He wanted to try and extract both active leads and a lead that had been capped because it cracked years ago. Unfortunately he was only able to extract the one bad lead, though. It is supposed to take about 15 minutes to get an old lead out. It took him almost an hour to get just the one out.
I was put completely under for the surgery (which was a very nice change), but because of that they had to intubate me. Also had catherization in both legs (arterial in right and vein in the left).
Ended up in critical care after the surgery and had a scare with elevated white cell counts and very low potassium levels. but everything worked out in the end.
So, I'm home now. Recovering nicely. Feeling better every day. The biggest gripe I have is the sore throat and very froggy voice from the breathing tube. If that's the worst of it, I consider myeslf pretty darn lucky.
Well, now that I have talked you all bored I will hush for now.
Really just wanted to thank everyone for all of your support when this first started happening and tell you that there is a very happy ending here :)

9 Comments

happy for you

by Hope - 2012-08-04 01:08:30

Hi! So glad to read you have the surgery behind you and you are doing so well. I read so many posts on our site that indicate a medical care issue. You made a careful choice which is so important as a patient. Take care. Hopeful Heart

Hopeful Heart

by Carol M - 2012-08-04 02:08:19

Thank you so much. It is definitely worth finding the right cardiologist/surgeon/hospital. Who else is going to look out for our best interests if we don't? :) I'm sure you feel the same as I do. There are certain areas that I am willing to settle for just good enough, but not when it comes to my heart ;)

finally

by manaman - 2012-08-04 09:08:05

mind telling me where tis doctor is at please!!??
Thanks,
Cecil

Doctors Location

by Carol M - 2012-08-04 12:08:09

Cecil,
Dr. Steven Kutalek is in Philladelphia.
It was a bit of a hike for me, but WELL worth the drive.
I felt very safe in his care.
Google him if you can. He has quite a bit of information on the web.

Glad it worked out well

by ElectricFrank - 2012-08-04 12:08:28

No matter how you cut it (literally) getting those old leads out is a tricky situation. The most impressive thing about your surgeon is that he was willing to give up on the remaining leads when it looked too risky. My fear would be a doc who was going to get them all even if it meant pulling your heart out with them.

frank

:)

by Carol M - 2012-08-04 12:08:30

Thank you, Jax!
Every day gets a bit better. I can't ask for more than that!

Glad yr back hoMe

by Jax - 2012-08-04 12:08:33

Glad this ordeal is behind you. Hope you feel better each day

Great Surgeon

by Carol M - 2012-08-04 12:08:34

Frank,
My surgeon was definitely amazing. As it was I was in surgery for almost 6 hours.
He was worth the wait, worth the drive, worth everything. He did test the other lead and it is still working great.
The other issue was a lot of calcification in my heart, which he also took care of.
I would recommend him to anyone needing extractions done. (Or anything else for that matter!)

Great Dr

by tinaeday - 2012-08-17 02:08:05

I I have been a patient of Dr Kutalek's since 1994,having my first pm.implanted in 97May 15,2012 I had to have my 4th pm and leads removed due to infectionl I had my fifth pm reimplanted on the right side on 7/31/12.still sore otherwise feeling much better,this man is truly a God send.He is @ Hahneman Hospital in Philadelphia Pa ,..and also St Mary's in New Jersey

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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