Tomorrow is the BIG DAY

[Nightcrawler, BSN, RN]

Hey everyone,

Last fall I wrote a post about a night when I went into SVT at work right after report, ended up in the ED, and had to be chemically converted. I was horribly embarrassed because I am a cardiac nurse, work on a cardiac stepdown, and was surrounded by well meaning co-workers when I was feeling exceptionally vulnerable.

Anyway, since then I have had an echo, a holter, and several more ecg's, all of which were normal, and have attempted to control the episodes of SVT with medications. Nothing I have tried has been entirely successful, all have had NASTY side effects, and after an episode of syncope at home in Feb, I have decided to go forward with an EPS and ablation tomorrow.

My cardiologist, who was there the night that I had the episode at work, is conviced that the problem is with AV nodal reentry tach, for which there is a 95% cure rate with ablation, so I am looking forward to hopefully having this all behind me after tomorrow!!

But on the other hand, is the part of me that REALLY hates the idea of being in the cath lab as a patient for any reason. Worst of all, I will end up on my floor as a patient. Groin checks from my peers are not my idea of a fun day off!!! I am realllllly hoping that the doc doesn't decide to keep me overnight, because I don't want to be there when my shift hits the floor tomorrow night.

I was doing pretty well with the anxiety, for the most part, other than talking about the procedure too much, until about 0700 this morning. At that point the procedure wasn't next week, or even Thursday anymore, but TOMORROW.

Anyway, wish me luck. I have a very good doc, but I can use all that I can get, if only to get me home early

[TazziRN, RN]

Good wishes going your way.

[RN BSN 2009]

Are there any other hospitals that you can go to ?

[Nightcrawler, BSN, RN]

My doc does practice at another hospital, but not within our system. Its a difference between 90% reimbersement by insurance and 35%. Everyone is being really nice about it, and I have already requested a night nurse if I have to stay.

[jojotoo, RN]

Since you're having your procedure at the hospital you work at, you must be comfortable with the skill level of the nurses and docs. Hopefully this will offset any embarrassment that you might have.

Good luck!

[Cherish]

Good luck hope everything goes well.

And here are some :icon_hug: 's in case you are nervous.

[Nightcrawler, BSN, RN]

Its funny, but as uncomfortable as Im going to be with the situation, I cant imagine what it would be like to NOT know the skill set of the people who are going to be taking care of me. I cannot imagine what it must be like for my patients when they come in for similar procedures, the fear and insecurity of not knowing what is going on, and the complete lack of control. I probably know almost too much of what is going to happen, have done extensive and technical research; but that is my way of exerting control over a situation where I will have none. I have no doubt that I will get good care, I just wish that med management had ended up to be more of an option for me.

[swatch007]

Just hang in there buddy. There will be better days waiting for you.

[coolvibesRN]

Good luck

[crissrn27, RN]

good luck, and let us know how it all goes!

[snowfreeze, BSN, RN]

Wish you well and trust me, your co-workers will be more than professional.

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

Wish you well and trust me, your co-workers will be more than professional.

They may even be glad you are going there cuz they know how well you will be taken care of.

My cooworkers this summer (not nursing related, i worked in an office) were freaked by the idea of me having surgery and worried i would not be cared for well. I was actually the MOST calm one in the office about it .