Then it began to happen whenever I walked in and then I started having pains in my underarm. So, about 3 weeks ago, I went for my diabetes checkup (did well, by the way, an improvement from 6.7 down to 6.4) I saw a different doctor who helps out now at their practice. I mentioned it to him and he immediately scheduled a stress test for me.
A week later, I went to Methodist University Hospital, got the stress test done, and since they didn't haul me off right then to the Cath lab, I figured I had done well. Well, a week ago this past Friday, my regular doctor called me to say I had flunked the stress test and that I needed a heart cath to find out what was wrong.
Susan and I met with the cardiologist, Dr. Pranab Das, this past Friday, and they did an EKG, scheduling the cath at Methodist University Hospital for Tuesday. I have to say, Dr. Das is amazing, calmly explaining everything and making sure you remain as calm as he is. We were both impressed with him; if you use Methodist for healthcare and you need a cardiologist, this is the guy you need to see.
He explained that the cath would show any problems, and if there were no arteries with blockage of 70% or better, all that would be done would be to give me medicine. Above that, a stent could be put in or, worst-case scenario, bypass surgery, which would be done then.
We showed up at 11 AM on Tuesday, they got me in to a Same-Day Surgery room, and Susan's Aunt Barbara arrived to sit with Susan during my procedure. At 2 PM, I went to the Cath room. As Dr. Das had told me, they would use an artery in my wrist and not through the femoral artery in the groin, so I was given Lorezepam as a sedative, which sedated me but did not knock me out. Yes, I was awake for all of this!
About halfway through, Dr. Das stopped to tell me that my main artery was 99% blocked (he would tell Susan, but not me, that if we hadn't caught this, I would have had a major heart attack within a month). He would need to put in a stent and I said, "so I'm staying overnight then?" and he confirmed that.
I have to tell you, it kind of hurt, but it saved my life, and it was the strangest feeling in the world to feel a balloon expanding inside my heart. He put in the stent, got finished and I went to recovery for three hours, then back to my room where Susan was waiting for me. I was never so happy to see anyone in my life as I was to see Susan. I was too dumb to be scared, so she was scared for me, I think.
She told everyone how it went, and I made a few calls myself. I am off work until Monday, but I am still going to a wedding Saturday for two friends who are perfect for each other, and I need to see that.
I will get back to writing next week, as I am trying to keep the outrage down. Besides, every time Mitt opens his mouth, The President goes up 5 more points in the polls.
I am very fortunate to have you as readers and friends, fortunate to have Dr. Das as my cardiologist, and most fortunate to have Susan, without whom I would not have thought to have this checked out. She is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I would not be here without her.
See you in a few days!
1 comment:
I was scared just reading the post. Take care my friend.
Post a Comment