Posts

A poem that perfectly descibes living with Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter

  A poem This poem arrived as I was wrestling with my decision of whether to have a sixth ablation since 2020 or not.   It was not written by me, I hasten to add, but it perfectly described what it is like to live with Atrial Fibrillation (or Flutter).   "Hesitation…" My atrial fibrillation Is a trial and tribulation! My heart’s weird sensation Ruined my last vacation.   It’s a strange situation, A surreal vexation — Facing the expectation Of each manifestation…   My constant speculation As to its causation, Stirs my imagination — Leading to conflation.   From latest irritation Comes new conversation, Seeking confirmation — Do I need ablation?   Excuse my hesitation, My worried anticipation, But upon examination — I need more contemplation! By Albert Moore, USA

February 2026 - bankrupting the NHS again!

  February 2026 – yet another month of drama and health problems   Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, WTF WTF WTF.   Is this going to just go on for ever!! Barely do I post one positive update when something else happens…   The day after my last post I saw my lovely EP at Royal Papworth Hospital.   I was happily in Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR) when they did the ECG.   I told the EP that I had had runs of ectopics and a bit of Afib and I thought he seemed less than confident that the Minimaze had worked.   Incidentally, I also apologised that I had not told him beforehand that I was having it done, but that it had all happened rather suddenly (see Oct 2025 posts).   He was fine about that – of course, the only reason he knew about it at all was because I had scanned my discharge letter and sent it to his secretary – despite my request, Sheffield had only sent the letter to my local hospital.   Honestly, the NHS can be hard work sometimes....

My Battle Royale with the medical insurance company!!

  My sincerest apologies to everyone who took my recommendation to use "Travelinsurance4medical.com" and my glowing reports of how good they are - I was misinformed! I had an annual policy costing £380 or so. It had seven weeks left to run. A week before my trip I called them to tell them I was waiting for a cardioversion for my Atrial Fibrillation which has returned. No problem they said - you need to pay an extra £350 to cover you for those remaining weeks!!!!! Obviously, I said that it was ludicrous and I was only going away for a week but "computer says... blah…blah ". He then offered to sell me a one-week policy - only to find I am now uninsurable!! So then I asked if I would get a refund on the remaining seven weeks of my policy: "No, because we are not cancelling it" "But I'm not covered anymore?" "No" "So, you are not insuring me nor refunding me" "No, it's your choice not to pay the extr...