Missing Friday Funny

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donw Posted: Sat, Sep 5 2009 9:16 AM

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My apologies for not posting a funny yesterday but last Thursday I was in the hospital.  For about a month now I have had angina after exercise and my cardiologist wanted to see what was going on.  I was admitted to the "same day surgery" clinic on Thursday for a cardiac catheterization..  During the procedure the surgeon spotted an arterial blockage (90%) and decided to clean out as much as possible and stent the blocked area.  He also found a multiple blockage further along the same artery.  The second blocked area has three in a series and that presemts problems.  He and his team have to figure out how to open all three, one at a time, without causing a heart attack.  This one will happen down the road a ways, so I am not done yet.  This was the fourth time since 1995 that I have had this procedure done so I am an old hand at it. Even the doctor was impressed with my understanding of the procedure and the complications.  By the way, this time was the most painful that I have had so far.  Anyway, I am still alive and kicking.

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Spirit replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 9:24 AM

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Don:  So sorry to hear of your cardiac problems.  I hope that the dctors figure out the right approach for the second area soon.  Is the pain over now? 

Best of luck to you.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.  Please keep us updated on your situation.

Spirit

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mrfino replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 10:46 AM

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Saturday Serious instead of Friday Funny. Best wishes.

John

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Simi_Papa replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 1:52 PM

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Good luck Don.  Why aren't they doing a bypass?

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donw replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 4:20 PM

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Bill, that is the last alternative they want to use.  I already had one done in 2000 and my cardiologist is hesitant to do that again.

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donw replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 4:22 PM

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Spirit, right now the only pain is from the two insertions during surgery. 

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whalen replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 5:41 PM

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Dear Don,

Sorry to hear about your heart problems.  Glad you're still alive and kicking and will devoutly hope that they can fix this latest glitch with the least inconvenience to you.

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jen1229 replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 6:15 PM

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Don:

so sorry to hear of your problems.  Prayers are coming your way. Take care.

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RobertIA replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 6:29 PM

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Don,  Rest up!  And keep the BG in line at the same time.  Been there, done that, so know how you feel.  You were lucky, they kept me in the hospital for five days.

Bob 

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Spirit replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 7:20 PM

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Taking it easy now seems like a good plan, no?  How does all this affect your glucose readings? 

Spirit

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kat replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 9:19 PM

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"Anyway, I am still alive and kicking."     -- And a good thing that is!

I hope you're soon back to your usual and getting on with living. 

Aren't cardiac caths wonderful -- Do you watch as yours is being done?  I'm always completely amazed that that tiny wire probe can be moved through arteries and into the heart.

Take good care of yourself.

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donw replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 9:57 PM

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Kat, I am also amazed by the technology in the field but I have to tell you that the cath through my left wrist was one of the most painful procedures that I have ever undergone.  This procedure was my fourth catheterization.  Not only was the insertion of the wire probe extremely painful but the die injection made my arm feel like it was on fire.  No work was done with this cath but it was used to check the condition of my by-pass from 2000.  In the doctor's own words, "that looks beautiful".  There were no blockages, scar tissue nor any obstructions in that area at all.  It seems that all my problems are at the back of my heart. Also, with the fasting for 24 hours, almost no meds and only small amounts of lantus at irregular intervals my blood sugars went wild.  I hadn't eaten for over 24 hours and my liver went into overdrive...blood sugar readings of over 300. Once I got food they actually went down.  Now that I am home and back on my regular meds/insulin they are coming back to pre-surgery readings. 

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Dee replied on Sat, Sep 5 2009 10:54 PM

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Don, I wondered where you were yesterday...take care of yourself.  Many thoughts and prayers coming your way.  Dee

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kat replied on Sun, Sep 6 2009 1:17 AM

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Don - Yikes, that sounds painful.  I wasn't aware that cardiac caths were done through the wrist.  Mine (all five) were done through the femoral artery, and all I felt was a bit of pressure.  My biggest problem is a totally blocked area in the circumflex artery.  New collaterals have formed to serve the area.  Pretty amazing, isn't it.

Why did you have to fast for 24 hours?  Was surgery anticipated?  I think the most fasting I've done is miss breakfast before an early to mid-morning cath.  

Take good care of yourself.

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donw replied on Sun, Sep 6 2009 3:58 AM

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Kat, the fasting was only supposed to be breakfast but there was a delay in getting me into surgery.  I ended up third on the list which meant my surgery didn't start until 11:00 AM.  I was in surgery until after 2:00 PM.  Also, they had to give me extra "pain kliiers" during the wrist cath so that delayed my recovery time.  My last meal was Wednesday evening about 6:00 PM and my post surgery meal wasn't until after 5:30 PM on Thursday.