Hubby in Hospital

[Marilyn]

Gayle, they can't get his rate to stay below 120 to 130, so they are going to shock him on Monday. The first cardiologist, who is now on vacation, told us that they need him in a-fib in Houston to do the mapping. Now the cardiologists are saying that they need to get him out of a-fib, and it won't affect the mapping. Houston can still do it. Hubby very much wants a cure so he doen't have to live with the possiblility of this happening again at any time. Just think if this had happened in June right before Melissa's wedding. Do you know if bringing him out of a-fib will affect the accuracy of the mapping?

He's taking the max of the drugs and they can't give him any more. His blood pressure is dropping too low.

I'm always afraid when they shock him. A friend of our almost died. Her heart stopped and they almost didn't get it restarted. Hubby did fine when they shocked him last year. I'll be a basket case while they are doing it though. He's just got too much living left to do!! He has to be here for his grandkids. He just can't miss that!!!! And I need him, not good alone and girls are gone.

[Dobie]

You and your husband will be in my thoughts tomorrow, I pray that all goes well.

[Marilyn]

Thank you all for your very kind thoughts and prayers. I ran home for lunch after church and am taking our furkid, Zoe, back up to visit her daddy. I'm sure everything will be fine. Just something we have to get through.

I learned today that one of my dear friends is going through the same thing. She went to the emergency room last week with her rate at 230. They couldn't get it down and shocked her. She is going to Austin for, we think, the same procedure that hubby is to have. She's in her late 60's but you would never know it by looking at her. She looks maybe 48 to 50. Slim and very active. Guess it can happen to anyone.

[Janet]

I'll be keeping you and your husband in my thoughs and prayers tomorrow Marilyn. Please keep us updated as you have.

[Tink]

Good luck Marilyn, keep us posted. I'll keep you both in my prayers.

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by Marilyn

Gayle, they can't get his rate to stay below 120 to 130, so they are going to shock him on Monday. Do you know if bringing him out of a-fib will affect the accuracy of the mapping?

Marilyn,
There are a couple of ways of treating this - one way is to map the bad cells and then ablate them - but in persistent a-fib (like your husband has), they may ablate in areas that are known to cause a-fib to try to stop it. Almost all persistent atrial fibrillation signals come from the four pulmonary veins (which are in the heart) so they just ablate these area. In this case, you don't need to map first.

I don't know which they will use with your husband, but I would guess they will ablate in the areas known to cause a-fib since his a fib is persistent. The procedure may take several hours - so don't be concerned if it does.

Yes, I hate it when they deliberately put my husband's heart into a fatal arrythmia to see if his defibrillator will fire - but I've finally resolved myself to be happy that they check it periodically to be sure it is working properly - but it still makes me very nervous.

[teri88]

Hi Marilyn, I haven't been on for a few days and just saw this thread. Praying that all goes well today.

[DianaB]

You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers today.

[2tiredmom]

Marilyn,

Your husband is in my prayers also. I hope today went well for him.
God Bless you both.

[Dobie]

Still thinking about you - make sure to take some time for you though, don't allow yourself to get run down during this difficult time!

[Marilyn]

I typed a long post, telling you all about what happened yesterday, and for some reason when I tried to submit it, I was no longer logged in and my post vanished. I don't have time to type it all again.

Bottomline. Hubby was converted to a normal heart rhythm yesterday with electric shock and is coming home this afternoon.

I have to run now because I have to run out of town for work this morning and back to pick him up after lunch.

Decided to tell you, but try to keep it short. He's doing great!! but I had quite an experience at the hospital yesterday. They stuck me in a waiting room for two hours for a 30 minute procedure and would not give me any information on hubby other than confirm where he was. I almost passed out I got so upset. But the important thing is he is fine!!!!!!! Thirty minutes after they took him in, he was converted and when I was finally allowed to go in his room, he was smiling and waving at me. The doctor forgot to communicate with family. He was in ICU for the procedure and they delayed opening ICU for visiting hours because of something going on inside, so of course I thought something had gone wrong.

[Chandra Amaya]

I'm sorry you are going through all this, but I am glad hubby is doing better. I sometimes think that doctors forget that they are a CUSTOMER SERVICE field......

[Janet]

Glad everything worked out and he's coming home. I can understand how scary that would be, but it's behind you now. I'm sure he'll be glad to be home.

[donna1990]

Just saw this today, so glad he is coming home. We will pray for both of you.

[2tiredmom]

Marilyn,

Thats wonderful news. Hope he's on the mend and stays that way.
So sorry you had to go though all that at the Hospital though.
Waiting is always the worse part. I'll still keep you both in my prayers.