Words of encouragement

I suffered from paroxysmal afib for 12 years.  A year ago December, I had my first ablation at a local hospital.  It could only be described as a disaster.  A month after the ablation I was in permanent afib and permanent aflutter (new).  The doctor basically forgot about me when it became apparent that the operation was a disaster.  I had to stop working.  My resting heart rate was 88 (it used to be 60).  Every few days, my heart jumped into the 160s.  No one (it seems) could help.  I actually started investigating States that allowed for assisted suicide in hopeless cases.  I also researched centers of ablation excellence.  I found Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston.  I begged them to take my case.  I got an appointment in two weeks.  The Doctor evaluated me and assured me he could address my problem.  They found an opening and three weeks later I had my second ablation.  When I went into surgery, I was certain I was about to die.  My heart rate was close to 170.  I could barely stay conscious.  I remember conversing with the anesthesiologist, tears running down my face, thinking that this was the last sight I would ever see.  Well, six hours later I woke up.  My heart rate was 60.  I was not in afib or a flutter.  They released me a day later.  The next day I went for a short walk.  The day after, a longer walk.  Three days later, back to work - the first time in seven weeks.  In the ensuing 10 months, I have had plenty of scares.  Missed beats, occasional runs.  However, in the last few months, I've had nothing.  I can walk, I can run, I can hike, I can live again.  So, to all of you out there who feel it's hopeless, it's not.  Just go to someone who knows what he is doing!

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