Cathy's Guestbook

HI Cathy, You might want to seek a second opinion from a different electric heart doctor and see what that doctor says about putting a pacemaker. I would definitely want this done and over with if I was in your position. I've been having shortness of breath and so I can't exercise and can't function to do every day things. We have been having trouble just getting someone to fully investigate why I am having the shortness of breath. I have had past heart stuff. I was born with an Atrial Septal Defect and had that repaired but I was also born with leaky heart valves. I did have a maze procedure and Mitral valve repair 8 years ago. I am on my third pacemaker.

Hi Cathy, I noticed that you mentioned having diastolic heart failure and I had done some research and they mentioned that a Bi-Ventricular pacemaker can help. It paces both the bottom part of the heart and the top to help them work better together. I don't know if this information helps you or not. I didn't know if your doctor discussed anything like this with you.

Hi Cathy... read your story about your afib struggles. Mine is a flutter. The med they have me on is currently working but I'm assuming an ablation is in my future also. I just wanted to wish you well . Prayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery. I am curious as to which meds you've been on for Afib? When you get the chance. Best wishes that all goes well. 🙏🏻💞

Hey Cathy...thanks for writing in my guestbook. It sounds like our surgeries are happening at about the same time. I'm doing a photo project while I'm waiting for my surgery where I'm digitizing a collection of 4 X 5 negatives from the late 40's to early 50's from Minneapolis and St Paul. I hope to have a showing of them at a local gallery later this year. It sounds like quilting sparks joy for you. I hope your repair goes well and you have a quick and uneventful recovery. Let's keep in touch and compare notes on how things go

Hi Cathy, I noticed you wrote you are a B. cancer survivor & can have blood draws only in one arm. Have you had lymphedema & do you have concerns of it " acting up" after surgery? I'm pretty nervous about that- I know to avoid the blood pressure cuff, draws, etc in the affected arm, but I worry that the long time on the surgical table with arms overhead might cause a problem- swelling. I haven't talked to my surgeon yet about it & can find no info online about lymphedema & surgery. I have no problems now, I'm extremely careful with it, but had major problems going through radiation. Curious if you have any thoughts about this- maybe it's a non-issue & nothing to worry about...I'm hoping that's the case.