Well I did it again. Like last year and the year before, I completely forgot my ablation anniversary.
What’s ironic about forgetting this time around is I have been thinking about ablations a lot lately for a couple different reasons. For one, I was reminded how lucky we are to have a procedure available today that can give us our lives back after reading Paul’s recent ablation story.
Second, I’ve been thinking about my own “luck” so far. While I totally spaced my ablation anniversary, which was March 5th by the way, I was keenly aware that this was my fourth year of afib-freedom. That had me thinking a lot about afib. Specifically, it had me wondering when my afib would return.
Why would I think such things, you might ask? As hard as a try not to be, I’m a bit of a pessimist. I’ve gotten much better over the years as I’m far more positive than I used to be, but I still have a long way to go. I have to work really hard and pray to be positive and optimistic about things.
Having had four years now of total afib-freedom, you start to wonder when the gig will be up. Surely this can’t go on forever. After all, there supposedly isn’t a cure for afib, right?
The truth of the matter is, while we might not have an official “cure” for afib right now, a solid ablation done by an expert EP can indeed provide many years of afib freedom. I know many people who are approaching 10, 15, and even 20 years now of afib freedom after their ablations. Given those success stories, why don’t I believe I’ll be one of them? Why am I convinced my afib will return – and likely very soon?
My Afib History
I’m fearful my afib will return sooner than later because of my history. Afib runs rampant throughout my family. My dad was diagnosed with afib at a relatively young age (50) and I believe it ultimately led to his heart failure and eventual death at just 61 years of age. I had my first afib episode in my early 30’s, a very young age to get the condition.
With such a strong genetic link of afib in our family and given how young my dad and I were when we were first diagnosed with it, I suspect I have a “complex case of afib.” Meaning, it’s not likely one ablation will suffice for me to be afib-free the rest of my life. Sure, it’s possible, but always being the realist, I’m confident another ablation is in the cards for me down the road.
I wish I was an optimist. I wish I could believe that I’m good to go and I won’t need another ablation ever again but it’s so hard for me to think that way.
My Faith Gives Me Peace
Despite my pessimism, my faith in God has given me peace. I know that no matter what happens, God will take care of me. He may bless me with another 10+ years of afib freedom. He might even bless me a lifetime of afib freedom.
But if my afib returns sooner than later, I have faith that He will eventually lead me to a life totally free of afib. The journey to that ultimate cure might be a bit bumpy but God’s got this. Knowing that gives me peace. I’m no longer afraid of afib! Sure, I think about it often, but it’s not the ominous dark cloud over my head like it used to be.
A Lot to Be Thankful For
I have so much to be thankful for despite my physical and mental battles with afib over the years. The fact that I’m celebrating four years of afib freedom is a tremendous blessing that I’m so grateful for! The fact that I don’t have to take any drugs (for any healthy condition) is a blessing too!
I have good health, a loving and supportive family, a roof over my head, food on the table, a couple cars, financial security, and a renewed faith in God that grows stronger and stronger every year. What more could a guy ask for? I’m truly blessed.
My Plans for the Rest of 2019
In my 3rd anniversary post from last year, I wrote about how I was struggling with insomnia and my weight. I’m so happy to report that with God’s help I have been able to conquer both!
As I wrote about in great length in my recent post about losing weight eating anything you want, I have successfully lost 30 pounds! I’m now at a comfortable 170 pounds. My goal this year is to maintain that weight. When I do my annual update next year at this time, I want to be able to say I’m still at 170 pounds!
Conquering insomnia has been nothing short of a miracle. Over the years I threw everything at it – prescription drugs, supplements, you name it. Nothing worked. I started praying, reading the Bible, and getting closer to God and over time the insomnia just went away. I now sleep better than I have ever slept before and I don’t take anything – no drugs or supplements. I will continue to pray for good sleep.
Needless to say, I actually do thank God in prayer every night for the great sleep I’m getting. I also thank God every night for giving me afib freedom. I’ll never forget what He has done for me so I be sure to thank him every single day of my life.
Aside from those things, I pray that God will give me some guidance with this website and my professional life in 2019. I got some terrible news this week about my website. For whatever reason, Google has decided my website isn’t worthy of the rankings it has enjoyed over the last several years. I have lost virtually all of my search rankings in Google. As a result, my audience has instantly shrunk.
This website went from averaging around 25,000 – 30,000 NEW visitors every month to now just 1,500 new visitors per month. That’s not a typo! This site reaches a mere fraction of the audience it had just a couple months ago. That’s just the way it goes when you rely so heavily on free traffic from Google.
To add insult to injury, I was notified the same week by the exclusive sponsor of this site that as of April 1st they no longer want to sponsor it. They just don’t have the budget for it anymore. My only source of income from this website will be disappearing. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to find sponsors when your site has so little traffic so this site will have to limp along without any revenue.
At first all of this was a kick in the gut. I was a little frustrated and depressed at first but with my renewed faith in God I was o.k. with it. All things happen for a reason. Maybe the time has come for me to stop writing about afib and move on to something else. Maybe my purpose here has come to an end. I don’t know, but I’m confident He’ll reveal the answers to me in due time.
Professionally, I’m still very lost as I continue to struggle about what to do with my life. My current business has come to a crawl and I’m at the crossroads in life right now. I think they call it a midlife crisis…lol. It’s not really a “crisis” but I am 46 (soon to be 47) and am really struggling trying to figure out what it is I want to do for the rest of my life professionally. I continue to pray for God’s guidance on that and I’m confident he’ll lead me down a favorable path in 2019. We shall see what happens!
God Bless and I wish you all the best for the rest of 2019!
Hi Travis I would like to know if you can tell me anything
about minor abations? I have been told by EP that I have atrial flutter &. not afib. It is supposed to be an easier procedure on an outpatient basis with local instead of general anesthesia. I would appreciate your response if you could tell me anything about this procedure , since they want to schedule it very.soon. Thank you
Joanne:
I don’t know if there is such a thing as a “minor” ablation but I understand what you’re EP is saying. I’m going to assume you have atrial flutter and NOT atypical atrial flutter. If it’s the former, then yes, that type of arrhythmia is easier to ablate than afib or atypical atrial flutter.
Regardless of the arrhythmia, however, I still recommend you work with an experienced EP. Even though atrial flutter is easier to ablate, you still want a skilled and experienced EP. Don’t just settle for someone because they tell you “it’s easy and they can do it.” Ask them how many ablations they have done!
Travis
Hi Travis, I was sad to read about your website trials. Yet inspired to read about your successes and faith. You have helped many people a lot, including me. I’ve read many dozens of sound articles and blogs on AF and yours is one of the very good ones.
Long story short: Diagnosed 7 yrs ago with Paroxysmal AFib, otherwise quite strong and healthy. No other comorbidities. 78-yr old woman. After modifying lifestyle choices early last year (with an almost 15% weight loss and now a BMI of 27, far better hydration, no alcohol, pacing myself better, etc), I had no episodes for several months. Never any anti-arrhythmia meds. Always compliant with beta blocker and Eliquis. Take magnesium, but will change the type after reading your excellent article on same.
BTW – I have excellent doctors, but neither my cardiologist nor my FD had ever recommended a healthy lifestyle approach. My cardiologist wryly said (when I mentioned it last year) that they didn’t have time! Hmmm. Maybe not so many patients if more health teaching done. Just sayin’! ! I’m a retired nurse, so maybe I’m biased in favor of good health teaching.
I’ve continued making those good lifestyle choices, yet my episodes have become more frequent over the past 5 months. Truly fearing a slip into a persistent AF state, I decided to go ahead with the ablation. I also requested a Sleep Study – don’t know results yet. Will definitely use the CPAP if recommended.
My ablation’s booked for early July 2019 at a major teaching hospital and cardiac unit in Ontario, Canada. Very nervous, of course. Though your ablation tale and your “anniversary” message do help a lot.
Four questions please: 1. This one is likely weird, but I can’t find it online: How does one make certain that there’s no need to move one’s bowels during the 4-6 hr mandated *resting* period immediately after the procedure? (Other than not eating the day before, nor using the sort of unpleasant prep over the prior 2 days that one is given for a colonoscopy!) 2. They say they’ll discharge me that same day. I have to arrive at 6:30 AM so they said I will be done first that morning. Should I push for an overnight stay? (My preference, gotta love those reassuring monitors!) 3. Are most people comfortable sleeping/resting flat (in bed) for the first few nights or should I make some sort of practical plan otherwise? 4. I hope they don’t advise an antiarrhythmic med afterwards. Do they always?
Any pre/post procedure tips would be most welcome.
Thank you! Helen.
Helen:
Thanks for your kind words and support of this blog. I appreciate it. I’ll try my best to address your questions…
1. I have NEVER heard of anyone needing a bowel movement after the procedure. I would not worry about it at all as there is a .001% chance you will have the urge to have a bowel movement. It simply doesn’t happen.
2. It’s rare to be discharged the same day as the procedure. In fact, I’m almost certain an overnight stay is REQUIRED at all the major ablation centers here in the U.S. I can’t recall talking to anyone that was discharged the same day (here in the U.S. anyway). I would demand an overnight stay if it were me just to be safe. While ablations are very safe and complications are rare, I’d want to be in the hospital overnight “just in case.”
3. You won’t have to “rest flat” for any nights after the procedure. It’s only those 6 hours after the procedure you have to lie still. After that you can sleep anyway you want that makes you feel comfortable.
4. They don’t always prescribe an antiarrhythmic drug afterwards. I wasn’t prescribed any antiarrhythmic drugs after my ablation. It all depends on your specific case. Some people require antiarrhythmic drugs while others don’t. Your doctor will make that determination.
One final note about the whole issue of having to lie flat/still for 6 hours after the procedure; at the major afib centers here in the U.S. they are now using collagen plugs in the insertion points for the catheters. This has now reduced the time from 6 hours to just 2 hours that you have to lie still! You also don’t need a foley catheter anymore (that’s especially great news for men…lol). I don’t know if the center you are going to is using these plugs or not but you can ask them. If they are, it will give you peace of mind.
I wish you a totally successful ablation. Keep in touch!
Travis
Travis, Congrats on the good NSR run. I hear very few patients say they regret ablation, even the not so successful ones. One of the annoying things about afib is the unknown time it will strike. You still have a healthy fear based on history.
Personally I know of 3 with afib who were ablated by what I consider inferior to your EP. One is going on 25 yrs, another was at 15 years and it came back, and the 3rd with a horrible diet and lifestyle is going on 10 years in NSR.
I have to believe that 5 years is a marker for longevity to 20+ years. I am thankful each day to Christ who will not test us above what we are able to withstand. Afib stopped me cold in my tracks and most likely saved my life causing me to a seek a healthier lifestyle and walk. Persevere.
James:
I hope you’re right about the 5 year marker being an indicator of how long you’ll have of afib freedom on the first ablation:) That would be nice! Take care, my friend.
Travis
Mark 11:24 English Revised Version
“Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye have received them, and ye shall have them.”
Have your faith on GOD, Travis. The blessing from GOD could be way beyond your imagination. This is a verse I treasure a lot these days, even though I am only 47 days after my ablation. Even two days ago I still had very short afib/flutter. I believe God will fix me forever:)
That being said, the 3 month blanking time is really really difficult for me.
Xianfeng:
Congratulations on your recent ablation. The blanking period can definitely test your patience (and faith). Hang in there. You’ll be out of the woods soon!
God Bless,
Travis
Praise of Lord! I, too, put my faith in God to bless me for once-for-good ablation on this past Jan. 29th. Praise him!
Hi Travis
I love your website! Keep it going, please. Some of the other big brand websites only have “generic – same old standard soulless info.” I also struggle to get Google rankings for my website and blog and I have studied SEO for a while now. My wife says I must stop my site but, like you, I’m going to carry on.
My AFIB is a bit different from yours because I was born with TOF and my right Atrium is enlarged. I was also about 4+ years AFIB free, but since then had 2 AFIB “attacks”, and my cardiologist says he is amazed every time my heart goes back into rhythm (because of the enlarged atrium). I see it as God smiling on me and giving me another chance.
I believe that if your site gets mentioned at the right place at the right time it’s ranking and viewers can skyrocket!
Keep up the excellent work.
Janco
Thanks Janco! Ya, us little guys don’t stand a chance against the big medical websites like WebMD, Mayo Clinic, etc. The big names are what Google wants on page 1 of the search results. It’s a shame. But like you, I will carry on regardless of my ranking and the traffic to this website.
I’m glad to hear you’re doing o.k. these days. Only 2 afib attacks and still going back into NSR is terrific.
Keep up the good fight!
Travis
Congratulations on your Anniversary Travis!
I was diagnosed with afib over a year ago. Cardioversion worked for a while but my heart soon went right back into afib. I know that afib can be a big scary event for many people but I actually cannot tell when I am in or out of afib. My cardiologist thinks it might be a “natural state” for me. My mom’s side of my family had a long history of heart issues but it didn’t prevent them from living into their 80’s.
You and I are blessed to have our faith! There is nothing more important, or reassuring, than having the confidence in knowing where you are headed!
As far as your career, I wish that I had some words of wisdom. I have two sons in their mid 40’s that are in a similar situation. I know that when I was in my mid 40’s I had some major career decisions to make. And I prayed to God, “Which direction do you want me to take?” Since he didn’t answer, I prayed that prayer over and over again for days and weeks.
Finally one day, after praying that prayer once again, Romans 8:28 popped into my head like on a loud speaker, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” I took that as his direct answer! From that I realized that God did not have one thing in mind for me but it was my choice. And the really cool thing about it was the assurance that whatever course I decided, he would bless it! And he did.
So Travis, since you love God, I am sure that whatever course you decide to take, the Lord will bless it!
Ken
Ken:
What a great comment to read today! It was very inspirational and uplifting! Thanks for sharing.
I wish you the best with your afib. It sounds like you’re able to manage perfectly fine having it. That’s terrific. I’m very symptomatic so if/when my afib returns, it’s not something I can just “live with.” I can barely function when I’m in afib:(
Thanks again for our inspiring words. It made my day!
God Bless,
Travis
Travis,
Congratulations and great news about your four year anniversary. I’m really sorry about the website. I found your site and the information on it helpful to me, and I passed it on to many, many other people. You provided stuff that people really needed to know, but were rarely asked or talked about on other sites. Thanks for the help, and all the best to you in the future. Hope to be hearing from you again.
Thanks for your kind word, Tom. I appreciate it. I’m glad this website was able to help you through your afib journey!
Travis
I will pray for you that God will open another door(s) for you that will bring you as much satisfaction as you have had with this site and with your professional endeavors. When I was first diagnosed your website supplied me with such wonderful information. There was always somewhere to link to find so much medical information, people experiences, and of course all your personal info.
I read your site each month, but that doesn’t count for much with Google. I really doubt that there will be another site anytime soon that will be as informative with the personal touch as you have produced.
Please keep us informed as long as possible. God Bless You.
Holly:
You’re too kind:) I’m glad to hear this website was able to help you. And thanks for the prayers! God Bless!
Travis
Travis:
I am so happy that you have now gone 4 years without an AFib attack. How wonderful is that. However, I am really sad to hear about the potential demise of this website. This was the first website I found after my AFib diagnosis, and you were incredible helpful and supportive. And I am so thankful that you introduced me to Shannon Dickson, who in turn has been an amazing AFib “coach” for me. AFib is a terrible and poorly understood condition, and people like you and Shannon are true saviors. I don’t know what I would have done had I not found you guys. I have learned so much about my condition from this website, and you all helped me find a really good EP who has helped me.
It is hard to explain why your website traffic has declined so much, as it is my understanding that AFib cases are increasing as the baby boom generation ages. To my knowledge, there are no new AFib websites out there, so I don’t think there is much competition. I hope you can keep the website active. As for your current career uncertainties, you are clearly a very smart and competent guy, and you will be successful at anything you put your mind to.
Doug:
Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad Shannon and I were able to help you!
This website isn’t necessarily “dead” and it’s not going anywhere. I have no plans to take down the site. However, without any rankings or traffic it’s going to be a quiet place around here as it’s just not going to be seen by that many people.
My rankings didn’t decline because of competition or anything like that. Unfortunately, Google favors big publishers more and more every year in their search rankings – think websites like WebMD, Mayo Clinic, HealthLine, etc. “Little guys” like me that just have a personal blog are getting pushed out of the rankings no matter how good the content might be. All Google cares about is big names and brands. Just do a Google search for any atrial fibrillation related keyword and you’ll see it’s almost all big publishers now.
Thanks, Doug, and I wish you the very best!
Travis
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