 |
 |
Tuesday, August 6, 1996 BULLETIN CONCERNING RENA FINK To all of my Internet friends: As many of you know, my daughter Rena, age 18, was scheduled to undergo a cardiac ablation procedure yesterday, August 5, 1996. This procedure was successfully completed at the University of California Medical Center, Sa n Francisco; and Rena came home from the hospital this morning. Rena had been suffering, for some 8 years, with a cardiac arrhythmia which resulted in intermittent rapid heartbeat, which on some occasions, resulted in her heart rate exceeding 200 beats per minute. When these extremel y rapid rates occurred, she would become dizzy; and, recently, actually "passed out" on several occasions. This arrythmia was initially felt to be "innocent", but subsequent testing revealed, in 1992, that it was due to several abnormal areas of conduction fibers in the heart muscle, and it was suggested then that a new procedure, called "electrophysiological ablation" be tried. This procedure, involving the insertion of catheters into the heart, localization of the abnormal areas, and then destruction of these areas with a radiofrequency current. In 1992, the procedure held great promise; but the risks of same included destruction of vital areas which, if such occurred, would have required that Rena wear a pacemaker for the rest of her life. We decided, 4 years a go, to decline the procedure; and, for a time, medication kept the problem under control. Recently, however, the medication no longer prevented the "passing out" episodes; and we had Rena re-evaluated by the cardiology group at the University of California, San Francisco, one of the premier groups in the count ry. The procedure had been improved since 1992 and the San Francisco group has one of the largest successful series in the world. We decided to go ahead with the operation, and this was what was done yesterday. Rena underwent the surgery yesterday, a rigorous six-hour procedure (in which she was required to remain awake, under light sedation), and which required the ablation of several abnormal areas, including one on the opposi te side of the heart (the left). In the past, this required a second access route, through an artery (which was more difficult and dangerous), but the group at UCSF has developed a technique of crossing over to the left side inside the heart by using a special catheter which makes a small hole in the septum between the two sides; and, while this is also somewhat riskier than a more common right-sided ablation, it was done in Rena's case with no complications. At the end of the six-hour procedure, Rena's former debilitating arrhythmia was completely gone; and, after a few days of convalescence (for healing of the multiple puncture sites in the neck and groin), Rena should retur n to a normal life, free of her "passing out" episodes, and no longer requiring *any* medication. There is about a 10% risk of recurrence of arrythmia (in which case, the procedure can be repeated); but, at this point, w e are indeed happy over the results. This has been a harrowing experience for all of us. In Rena's case, it was painful (and having to lie still, awake, while this is being done for more than six hours), and nerve-wracking. In my case, as a physician, I "k new too much" and this made it hard, also; but the most difficult part of the experience for me was the recurrence of many of the thoughts of powerlessness and frustration, this dating back to when my first wife, Doris, w as in surgery for a condition (ovarian cancer) which proved resistant to modern medical science, and which resulted in her death, at age 47, some eleven years ago. I experienced many of the same feelings which I had when Doris died, and did not allow myself to "relax" until well after Rena's doctor told me that things were going well and that the procedure had been a success. So, for those of you who sent your best wishes, your prayers, and your concern to Rena and her family, this is a sincere "thank you" to all! It will take a few more days for me to return to "normalcy" (and also, sadly, t o return to the other personal crises which fill my existence these days); but Rena's health is now stabilized and I am thankful to God and modern medical science for her recovery. Again, my gratitude to all my cyber-fri ends; and please forgive the "group letter", but this was, I felt, the best way to communicate the events to so many of you. All best, Bob -- ******************************************************** Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S. Phone: 510-849-2555 Neurological Surgery FAX: 510-849-2557 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 USA E-Mail: [log in to unmask] World Wide Web: <http://www.dovecom.com/rafink/> CompuServe: 72303,3442 America Online: BobFink "Ex Tristitia Virtus" ********************************************************