Road to Recovery

Huge answer to prayer!

Well the electro physiology study was conducted yesterday. The procedure was long and rough. I was on the table for 4 hours with an additional recovery of 4 hours in the cardiology center. They found out what has been causing my heart problems for the past few years and were able to fix it! I have (had!) Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry Tachycardia (AVNRT)

Here enters wikipedia:

AVNRT occurs when a reentry circuit forms within or just next to the atrioventricular node. The circuit usually involves two anatomical pathways: the fast pathway and the slow pathway, which are both in the right atrium. The slow pathway (which is usually targeted for ablation) is located inferiorly and slightly posterior to the AV node, often following the anterior margin of the coronary sinus. The fast pathway is usually located just superior and posterior to the AV node. These pathways are formed from tissue that behaves very much like the AV node, and some authors regard them as part of the AV node.

So, during the study, the EP Cardiologist used catheters to put my heart in distress (increasing and decreasing my heart rate) to 'recreate' what happened when I passed out running and when I feel my heart skip a beat. She was able to recreate it and find the nerve that is messing up the electric circuitry and ablate (freeze) it. Then she tried to recreate the issue again and my heart acted normally (yay!) and concluded that the ablation did fix the problem. Only time will tell if AVNRT is the only problem I had; but we believe and hope so. There is also always a chance that the nerves that were ablated can grow back, but not for a while, if ever.

Recovery is going to take some time. Yesterday was miserable, and the car ride home was worse. I am on some heavy drugs to manage the pain I'm feeling. I am on bed rest for 2 days and then have a follow up appointment early next week with the EP. As long as I don't have any complications (swelling, fever, etc) and I follow the rules to get back to normal I should be fine by Christmas.

I can't begin to explain to you how happy and relieved I am. Having something wrong with you that you can feel but not physically show is frustrating. I know a lot of people doubted that anything was wrong with me and I even started to believe (when I wasn't having symptoms) that this was somewhat in my head. And to know that the issue is fixed...I'm just so thankful to God that I can go back to my life.

Thank you everyone for all your support, love, care, and concern. I have definitely felt every thought, prayer, and well wish.

I will post once again after my follow-up and then hopefully go back to my normal, crazy triathlon training blog. I love you all and Happy Holidays!

Date is set

There is nothing too new to report other than the date has been set for the procedure.

December 14th, I will be having an Electro Physiology Study done as well as get an implanted loop monitor called an ICM (internal cardiac monitor). The EP study is accomplished while I am awake by taking a catheter and stimulating my heart to 'recreate' what happened in October. If the Dr is able to figure out what the problem is, and it's fixable, they can correct it on the spot. If the study is normal (or even if it's not) I'll get the ICM implanted soon there after. I seriously hope I'm not awake for that! EP Studies are sometimes outpatient but depending on what I done I could be kept overnight for observation. I am very nervous and scared but ready to figure out what is going on.

Mom is coming into town to drive me to and from the hospital. Bo was able to change his flight to be there when I'm in recovery. I'm so thankful for everyones thoughts, prayers and well wishes. Hopefully this is an easy fix.

So far my deployment for March is still on the table even with the device in my chest. I'll give updates on that as the time gets closer.