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J

jkn2kids

Kevin's been nauseated all day long, having more pain in his back and chest today. About an hour ago, he woke me and asked me to listen to his ticking (new St. Jude's) and see if he was in a-fib. I could hear it out of rhythm. We called surgeon's emergency # and he said to get to ER as soon as possible. We decided to call an ambulance...it takes so long to gather two young, sleeping children to go. Before ambulance arrived, Kevin asked that I just wait here with kids. The a fib had stopped. He was still clammy and shaking(me, too). Paramedics arrived. Why don't people LISTEN? Four times he said Kevin had bypass (I kept correcting him). I explained that he just got out of Hopkins 2 days ago after AAA repair, aortic valve replacement (St. Jude's) and hole in heart repaired. He kept saying, "Patient suspects a fib." It's so frustrating. I said, "Look, do you hear that ticking?....That's his new valve..We don't suspect a-fib..We HEAR it!"
It's so difficult with small kids. Alexandra and Ryan are still recovering from the all the confusion with Daddy in the hospital and Mommy gone over 12 hours a day (I'm a stay at home Mom. I'm always here.). I don't have anyone close enough to call on real short notice. My mom (God Bless her) was here with the kids most of the time, but she can't see at night to drive.
I feel sick to my stomach, waiting for a call. Kevin felt much better as he was leaving, but I'm still scared. Why don't these things EVER happen at 2 in the afternoon? This is the first time I haven't gone with him (kids in tow) to the ER. I feel awful.
It's been insane. The day of Kevin's surgery, my mother came down with a stomach bug, and had to call my father to come help her with the kids. Three days after Kevin's surgery, I had to leave the hospital to take Ryan to the doctor with a double ear infection. I was planning on taking my daughter to the doctor tomorrow because she's been sick with an awful cough (I think Croup again). One of our cats is even sick.
What a roller coaster.
Thanks for letting me panic and vent. I think this is pretty common after surgery, right?
 
A-Fib is pretty common after OHS.

I had 3 (early) events, one in hospital, then at 5 and 6 weeks post-op. ALL resolved in 3 hours REGARDLESS of protocol used (Digoxin, ER monitoring, stay at home and ride it out).

When I developed exercise induced (and caffein induced) A-Fib, cardio put me on SOTALOL (generic form of BetaPace) which has worked ever since. I am now on a VERY LOW DOSE (40 mg twice a day) which still does the
trick usually with only one dose per day.

If they recommend STARTING with Amiodarone, I would remind them that Amiodarone is intended to be used as the medication of LAST RESORT because of the long list of potentially Serious Side Effects and LONG Half Life. (i.e. Read the Information Sheet that comes with the medication!) Amiodarone is the SLEDGE HAMMER of antiarrhythmic medications. Many Doctors seem to like to just start with it because it IS so effective. It requires CLOSE monitoring for side effects and takes forever (6 months or more) to be eliminated from the body after stopping.

'AL Capshaw'
 
A-fib is fairly common. Yet, I am still sorry that Kevin, you, and your whole family have to go through this. I will be thinking of all of you.

brad
 
So sorry you are having to go through this. Hopefully Kevin will be back home soon and the rest of his recovery will be smooth. Summer is coming which usually equates to healthy kids...take care of yourself also. Best Wishes.
 
So sorry to read this Janene and I hope that Kevin is back home today with an easy solution. It is fairly common and I am so sorry that it happened in the middle of the night and was such a frightening experience for you both. Prayers and best wishes that this is just a bump in the road and Kevin is home today and back on an uneventful road to recovery.
 
Deep breaths Janene...
It often feels like everything is happening at once.. By now I am hoping that Kevin is home and resting peacefully. As already mentioned.. A-fib bouts are pretty common after OHS.. and you did the right thing by getting him to the ER, just sorry that it had to involve so much Excitement.

Update when you can.
 
your bucket is full and running over. My prayers and hopes for a settling down period for all of you. You are doing a super job keeping track of it all. We are right here - any time. Blessins.........
 
Sorry to hear about the roller coaster ride, Janene. Hopefully this is just a bump in the road and Kevin will be back on the smooth road of recovery soon. Best wishes to both of you. Take care.
 
I can hear and feel your panic. You must always remember in situations like this, what has happened to your husband. He just got back from some pretty nasty and tricky surgery on his heart. His heart is VERY irritated and it makes perfect sense. Abnormal rhythms do happen very, very often after this kind of surgery. His surgeon and cardiologists will know just what to do to help him out.

While afib is not an ideal thing, it is not the end of the world. My husband was in afib for many years. He could not take the most common meds for it, so his doctors just let it go. It did drain his energy, but he did live with it. I am not suggesting that your husband should live with it, but I just want to illustrate that one can live with it. Joe did not die with anything related to afib.

Try your best to focus down and close out all the terrible thoughts. Focus on letting his doctors take care of things, and also focus on your part in keeping the home fires burning while your husband's problems get straightened out. You cannot have two thoughts in your mind at the same time. So when you start to panic, clear your mind and focus on what your children need and what you, yourself need. Your husband is getting the best care for him.

I am hoping that this is a small bump in the road.
 
I haven't had to deal personally with afib but many on here have and it seems to be common after complex surgery. But as a father and grandfather, I have had the experience of having kids sick at the same time other challenges arise, and I know it feels like the whole world is crashing in. I would echo others in commending you, urging you to take a deep breath, and relax. It is very stressful when all these things happen at once but they all should get better. You try to relax and take care of yourself too. Let your concerns be known here anytime. That's what this forum is here for.

Cheers,
 
Janene,
I am sorry to hear about Kevin's a-fib. I had surgery, MV repair, on 02/21 and have started experiencing a-flutter issues in the last 2 weeks. I had a couple of scary episodes that scared the heck out of my husband, so I understand how you must feel. As everyone has said, a-fib & a-flutter are common after OHS. Hang in there and things will smooth out.
 
Janene,

I am sure this is another issue that seems impossible but it is manageable (sp?). Since Kevin is already on coumadin, he is protected from the clots that can form from a-fib.

A-fib is not life threatening despite being very scary. I have lived with constant a-fib for about 3 years and, although it can make you tired and limit some activities, it does not rule your life.

In addition, many people have a-fib after OHS due to the extreme trauma of the surgery. It is entirely possible that Kevin's is short lived and may never return.

I wish you well as you go through this latest roadblock. The path is clear ahead even if it is hard to see right now.
 
Oh gosh....I know how scarey this must be for you.

Heed the advice of others who have written. My husband has also been in chronic a-fib for over 6 years. It is manageable, with meds. It throws the patient when it first happens, but they will be able to help him.

God bless.


Marybeth
 
Sorry for the fright you all have been through. A good night's sleep, or several, will do all of you a world of good after all of this. One of my sons used to get croupy at night when he was very young and that was exhausting to treat in itself, poor little guy. Happily it eventually resolved, either as he got older or because we moved to a more humid climate. And ear infections in little ones, so difficult... hang in there because it all gets better and it will all get easier one day at a time.

Besides Sotalol, I was also given magnesium IVs when I had to be rehospitalized post-op for A-fib. The A-fib went away and I only had to take the A-fib meds for three months.

Now, this may sound silly to you and I don't think it will work for Kevin right now but, much later when his heart heals, if he has strange beats come on him again including A-fib, some long and strong and hard coughs can sometimes make it stop; it works for me and many others although I don't know that it can work with a mechanical valve, though maybe.

Take care and post again. Hope Kevin is better soon.
 
How terrifying for you. This must be very hard with a husband and 2 little ones to take care of and look brave for. When this is all over, you deserve a medal and a girls night (weekend?) out. You will get through this and you will come out the other side a stronger family for it. Let us know how you are doing.
 
I am so sorry you have to go through this. You must be exhausted.
My husband had A-fib too - although it happened during his hospital stay (2 days post-op). It was a bit scary at first - my husband was so out of it he never even remembered it. Surgeon said it is very common after OHS and about 30% of the patients get it. I used to stand at the nurses station watching other patients A-fib on the monitors. Since they all made it through it was very reassuring. My husband A-fib lasted on and off for 20 hours and it has never returned, thankfully. I hope your husband's A-fib is resolved soon.

Sorry your kids and cat are sick. It must feel like a ton of weight on your shoulderds. Try to stay focused and not give in. That had helped me. After the first night home my husband collapsed and had to be brought to the ER and I had to leave my dogs for more than 24 hours, one German Shepherd with injuries -waiting for surgery and I didn't have friends near enough to come and look after on short notice. Of course with kids it is that much more complicated and worrrysome. In the end everything turned out fine and it was a minor bumb in the road and my husband had a smooth sailing from the on. I hope things turn around for your husband soon! It can be done.
Please take care of yourself and try to eat as healthy as possible as for now everyone depends on you. Try to get any minute of rest you can. I remember drinking wheat grass juices :D for energy - I only had liquid nourishments. No time. Tasted awful - although the dogs loved it :) - but it kept me healthy and strong during stress and sleep deprivation.

Hang in there. All the luck for your husband.
astrid
 
I hope things have calm down a bit for you. It is hard when everything happens at the same time.And without rest, you just get frazzled, especially with little kids.
I had AFib right after my OHS too. Then I had AFlutter where my heartbeat was 140 beats a minute at rest. That was only a little over a year ago and I am fine now. All the Afib and flutter gone. There are meds to take care of that and most of the time they are quite effective.
Keep us posted on what is happening.
 
Janene - I hear 'ya, I can understand how you feel. I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this.

Yes, rhythm issues are common yet scary and no fun at all. People react differently to A-Fib, my brother-in-law wasn't bothered by it, I was bothered quite a bit, others go to the ER. Do what feels right to you & yours when the time comes. Sounds like what you did.

I can imagine how this affects you and the kids. The kids will snap back just fine, mine are older but they are happy now that mommy is better and back to her old self. Do take the few minutes you need to keep yourself healthy & sane even if it's nothing more than an extra-long shower. As you know a lot is on your shoulders right now.

You came to the right place to vent and express yourself. I hope by now things are getting more under control. Soon maybe somebody will turn back on that light at the end of the tunnel.

Wishing you all the best.
Ruth
 
Hi there-

It's so amazing what us humans can go through and survive. I know it seems scary, but this too shall pass. Your hubby has gone through a lot in a short amount of time and it takes time for the heart to heal.

I have had many episodes w/my heart for 12 years and after my OHS in Feb. they did have to put in a pacemaker for a block in my AV node. Unfortunately, all of the EKGs I have had over the years never caught anything and the holter monitor caught one little episode in 24 hours. I've always had this odd thing happen occasionally for as long as I can remember. I'll be walking along and suddenly it felt like something slammed me in head and I start walking to the right. The OHS probably brought the blockage to the forefront? I'll find out in May at my 3 month check-up if the pacemaker has even kicked in at all.

At any rate, and I know you have heard this before, but really there's no worry. It does feel icky and uncomfortable, but it is not life threatening. It's just something to ride through. I also had chest pains all these years and once I lowered the amount of weights I was lifting, the chest pains were gone. I'll be doing my first cardiac rehab tomorrow. I haven't worked out since January, so this will be nice. Take Care.

-----------------------------------------------------------
1995 - TIAs (mini-strokes started after childbirth), Aspirin started.
2000 - Misdiagnosed with asthma for 3 years. Used inhaler.
2003 - PFO (hole in heart) plugged up.
2003 - FVL (clotting disorder) diagnosed.
2003 - Coumadin started.
2/16/07 - OHS - St. Jude (clotted), Dr. Suri, Mayo, Rochester.
2/20/07 - OHS - Carbo Medics, Dr. Suri, Mayo, Rochester.
2/20/07 - Stitches reopened because of excessive bleeding.
2/26/07 - Pacemaker implanted because of block in AV node.
3/14/07 - 2 days in ICU - Fluid in lungs.
4/6/07 - 6 week check-up. NO clots on valve! NO fluid on lungs! :)
 
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