Having the biggest heart doesn't mean you have the strongest heart. This is Kenny's story: a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many and finding out he has Congestive Heart Failure at the age of 38.
On July 8th, 2015 Kenny made an appointment with our family doctor after weeks of not feeling or sleeping well. He was referred to and seen at Bryan Heart the same day. After several tests, the doctors confirmed that he was in Atrial Fibrillation (afib). They scheduled a Cardioversion for the following day. On Thursday we arrived at the hospital for this 15-20 minute procedure. We got checked in and the kids and I stayed in the room with Kenny until it was time for the doctors to put him under. We barely had time to get comfortable back in the waiting room before the doctor approached us and broke the news. They were unable to complete the Cardioversion because of some findings during the Echo (TEE). Kenny had blood clots in the top chambers of his heart and his Ejection Fraction (EF) was at 5% (normal is 55% or higher). They admitted him into the hospital. Through all the tests, monitors, interruptions, medical lingo and questions, we learned that they diagnosed Kenny with Congestive Heart Failure. We stayed in the hospital until dismissal on Saturday. The doctors put Kenny on strict restrictions and sent him home with a life vest (defibrillator).
On August 10th, he had another TEE and they were able to go through with the Cardioversion this time, and with success! He was back into sinus rhythm, yet his EF was at 15%.
On August 17th, we had another set back. Kenny went back into afib. Bryan admitted him back into the hospital on the 18th to begin Tikosyn, a medication to prevent afib. On day 2, he went back into sinus rhythm almost immediately after the nurses scheduled another Cardioversion for the following day. They released him on the 20th.
On September 3rd, Kenny had another appointment where they did a chest echo, an ekg, and vitals. The doctor reported that his EF was up to 30-35%! He was sent home without having to wear the life vest, but still on restrictions. A few weeks later, we met with our other heart doctor and Kenny was determined he would go through with the Cardiac Ablation.
Kenny was off work during this time, and was able to return on Tuesday, October 20th for a few short weeks. After his next procedure gets scheduled and completed, he will be out of work for another 2-4 weeks.
Before they can go on with this next procedure, he has to be on a regimen of blood thinners and get his blood checked weekly. Until his blood levels are in the correct range for three consecutive weeks, the Ablation cannot be scheduled.
Kenny will undergo a PVI (pulmonary vein isolation) operation on November 19th.
On July 8th, 2015 Kenny made an appointment with our family doctor after weeks of not feeling or sleeping well. He was referred to and seen at Bryan Heart the same day. After several tests, the doctors confirmed that he was in Atrial Fibrillation (afib). They scheduled a Cardioversion for the following day. On Thursday we arrived at the hospital for this 15-20 minute procedure. We got checked in and the kids and I stayed in the room with Kenny until it was time for the doctors to put him under. We barely had time to get comfortable back in the waiting room before the doctor approached us and broke the news. They were unable to complete the Cardioversion because of some findings during the Echo (TEE). Kenny had blood clots in the top chambers of his heart and his Ejection Fraction (EF) was at 5% (normal is 55% or higher). They admitted him into the hospital. Through all the tests, monitors, interruptions, medical lingo and questions, we learned that they diagnosed Kenny with Congestive Heart Failure. We stayed in the hospital until dismissal on Saturday. The doctors put Kenny on strict restrictions and sent him home with a life vest (defibrillator).
On August 10th, he had another TEE and they were able to go through with the Cardioversion this time, and with success! He was back into sinus rhythm, yet his EF was at 15%.
On August 17th, we had another set back. Kenny went back into afib. Bryan admitted him back into the hospital on the 18th to begin Tikosyn, a medication to prevent afib. On day 2, he went back into sinus rhythm almost immediately after the nurses scheduled another Cardioversion for the following day. They released him on the 20th.
On September 3rd, Kenny had another appointment where they did a chest echo, an ekg, and vitals. The doctor reported that his EF was up to 30-35%! He was sent home without having to wear the life vest, but still on restrictions. A few weeks later, we met with our other heart doctor and Kenny was determined he would go through with the Cardiac Ablation.
Kenny was off work during this time, and was able to return on Tuesday, October 20th for a few short weeks. After his next procedure gets scheduled and completed, he will be out of work for another 2-4 weeks.
Before they can go on with this next procedure, he has to be on a regimen of blood thinners and get his blood checked weekly. Until his blood levels are in the correct range for three consecutive weeks, the Ablation cannot be scheduled.
Kenny will undergo a PVI (pulmonary vein isolation) operation on November 19th.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jennifer Dunlap
Beneficiary