Recreation again

After a few hectic days we are staying at Comwell in Snekkersten.

Here we have to be a couple of days.

On Monday, Pia was called by Charlotte - secretary of the heart ward at Gentofte Hospital. They had received a cancellation and offered ablation as early as Wednesday.

Pia immediately thanked yes and in the evening we prepared for the next day's feasibility study.

After 2 extensive surveys, conversation with a doctor and an anesthetist, Tuesday afternoon was given green light for next day's ablation.

Back on the boat we tried to relax as well as we could, ate Sushi, went to bed early and slept both (surprisingly) until the clock woke us up at. 6.00.

A little over kl. 7 came Niklas and we drove all 3 to the hospital.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart disease known. It is estimated that approx. 75.000 Danes suffer from it. Everyone can be affected and the frequency increases with age. 

During a seizure, small areas of the heart muscle trigger uncontrolled electrical impulses, causing the heart's atrium to "flicker". 

The seizure in itself is not fatal because sufficient blood continues to pass through to the heart. But there is an increased risk of blood clots in the brain, which can be reduced by being in treatment with blood-thinning medications, 

The seizures vary in length and intensity - some experience short-term seizures and no symptoms, others experience prolonged seizures and a strong discomfort in the form of high blood pressure and pulse with consequent difficulty breathing, fatigue and severe chest pain.

As with so many other diseases, you do not know the cause and treatment only removes the symptoms.

The treatment options are medicine, electric shocks (DC conversion or surface burning (ablation)).

Open surgical procedures that are very effective are only used in conjunction with other interventions, and the operation of a pacemaker may in some cases be necessary. 

Over the past few years, an advanced computerized technology for ablation has been developed.

Good results have been achieved with the new technology - approx. 80% become symptom- and drug-free after undergoing 2 ablations.

Ablation, even with the new technology, is a comprehensive procedure and is performed in 2-4 hours under full anesthesia.

During the ablation, Niklas, Daniel and I were together in Daniel's apartment.

We arranged various small things - including finding a hotel, which turned out not to be so easy due to the fashion week and also talked to Mille - a friendly nurse - who told us that the procedure was finished at. 12.30.

A little over kl. 14 we received Pia back from awakening, thoroughly sore after ablation and ears and nausea after the drug.

A little later, the operator appeared (it's actually called) Jim up and told about the progress of the ablation.

The next day I packed up for a few days, picked up Pia at the hospital and drove up to Comwell in Snekkersten, where Pia has to recover for a few days, while we both cross our fingers that she is among the 80% who are symptom-free after another ablation 

PS. We switched the phone off for the next few days. Send a greeting here instead.