Who would have thought!

• by Chez
• 2013-06-27 02:06:31
• General Posting
• 1353 views
• 2 comments

Hi friends, I posted nearly 14 days ago just a while before i was due to go into theatre for a total SA node ablation and pacemaker. I remember being filled with complete apprehension and helplessness in a way, however all the messages i had been receiving from you in all in this club had really helped me. You taught me to gain trust in my cardiologist, to become informed about the pros and cons of my situation, and shared with me great hopefulness.

I went into theatre fully expecting and prepared to come out with a pacemaker and 7 hrs later woke up with some quite astounding news. I tell you this because even if we think we know the plans, the expected outcomes, read and even memorised some of the stories of those who have already experienced all of the ups and downs and still do on a daily basis- one never knows.

My Dr began with a total SA node ablation and firstly discovered that my AV node has a backup juncture rhythm of 40 (good news) as this meant I would have a backup should my pace ever stop. The idea was that I would need to be totally pace dependant in order to address my IST. The Dr left to go fetch the pace and low and behold from much lower down he saw a steady 70 pulse! It appears I have another 'focus' that is beating strongly. He described this find as quite miraculous and I feel the same!
The road ahead is not without it obstacles this I know – this focus could and probably will slow down and the SA node may grow back but for now, i am totally on my own at an average of 70! I was 160!

The dr mentioned that he would never had discovered this if he had not of done a total SA ablation and admitted that he could have performed another 10 ablations trying to solve the IST but they would have been unsuccessful in hindsight. I was eager to feel better and get my 7 years of literal “heartache” sorted but he was mindful that there are steps to take. Had I succeeded in convincing him to miss steps, we would never have found this other one!
I don’t know how common it is to have more than one type of natural pacemaker like they found with me? – I would be interested to know if any of you have something similar and also I wanted to share this with you all in case my situation could apply to any others and be a help.
Being so low “normal” at 70 is horrid, I can’t lie, I feel breathless and tired and dizzy – I hope my body, heart and I soon learn how to dance together again and find our rhythm. I just want to thank you all for your messages, advise and care- this forum helped me so much and I think when I do eventually get my pace, I am with good company in you all. Thank you!