Tomorrow I'm going to have an angioplasty with possible placement of a stent (wire mesh tube) to open a partially occluded (blocked more than 50%) artery.
Well, that's a mouthful, isn't it?
Simply put, a heart surgeon (whom I've never met BTW) is going to run a wire with a balloon on the end of it up the artery in my groin (did she say groin?) to the place where the artery narrows and expand the balloon which then crushes the fatty deposits so more blood will pass through. Such an angio is called a plain old balloon angioplasty or POBA. No joke!
My cardiologist assures me (beware doctors who assure you of anything!) that it's a simple procedure, it's done ALL the time, and if they don't need to place a stent, I can go home the same day.
BUT if need a stent, I will have to stay overnight in the hospital (Oh no!) and go home the next day. Pie (pronounced "pie"), the young person in pre-admissions, told me to leave anything of value home on the day of the procedure. Does that mean my Prada shoes and my Victoria's Secret underwear? Surely she doesn't mean my husband, Vinny, he has to drive me!
I asked around when I went for blood tests yesterday if the hospital has, or is, a "hot zone," so I could surf the web and visit all you guys if I have to stay, but NO ONE knew!
Recuperation should take a few days to a week at home. I will not be able to drive for a week. We'll see, I say. I will have to take a blood-thinning medication, Plavix, or something like it, for about 3-4 months to keep clots from forming in and around the stent, again, if they insert a stent.
BUT if need a stent, I will have to stay overnight in the hospital (Oh no!) and go home the next day. Pie (pronounced "pie"), the young person in pre-admissions, told me to leave anything of value home on the day of the procedure. Does that mean my Prada shoes and my Victoria's Secret underwear? Surely she doesn't mean my husband, Vinny, he has to drive me!
I asked around when I went for blood tests yesterday if the hospital has, or is, a "hot zone," so I could surf the web and visit all you guys if I have to stay, but NO ONE knew!
Recuperation should take a few days to a week at home. I will not be able to drive for a week. We'll see, I say. I will have to take a blood-thinning medication, Plavix, or something like it, for about 3-4 months to keep clots from forming in and around the stent, again, if they insert a stent.
I asked my cardiologist if I could have a
RED balloon for the procedure, given I'm the host of Ruby Tuesday, but he didn't think that was funny!So here's what I'm gonna do: I will schedule my Friday and Saturday posts and hope they'll publish themselves automatically... Are you listening, Blogger?
Look for
Looking at the Sky on Friday (Work of the Poet)
Postcard Friendship Friday (Mary Tomaselli's Photos)
Maxine on Saturday (Work of the Poet)
Weekend Reflections (Mary Tomaselli's Photos)
I'm very sure by late Saturday or Sunday I'll be back in front of my computer posting and commenting.
Wish me luck!
See how things turned out here
33 comments:
l will be thinking of you and sending you some whit healing light to help you to get better quicker.x Wear red and you will be okxxha! even though l don't know you in person, l think of you as a friend l see on Tuesday'sxx remember you are not alone, the whole of your virtual world is with youxxlynda/ sending hugs from across the sea in london, UKxx
sending prayers your way, Mary... Hope it all goes well.
HUGS!
Also sending you my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery! My aunt had some procedure (a hernia) and they went through her belly button!
Sending my very best wishes and thoughts your way for a simple, speedy procedure and fast, straightforward recovery.
We'll be waiting right here with open arms and welcoming hugs when you get back. Take good care Mary.
xox
Sending positive thoughts! I work for cardiologists who do these procedures several times a day with success. The worst part is dealing with the health care "professionals":)Take care of her, Vinny!
ooooh boy, now I know...
We're here waiting for you,
hope everything goes quickly and well!
Here's to your speedy recovery from this blip in your blogging life. Priorities, right?
I don't know if it's any help but I know several people who've had this procedure and come out the other side.....smiling. Good luck!
I'm sending thoughts and prayers for a simple successful procedure and quick full recovery. Methinks a Ruby Balloon would be a nice touch. I admire your organization ... seriously! Thanks for letting us know ahead of time.
Hugs and blessings,
Mary, I wish you more than luck. I'm sending healing wishes, prayers and will pour a libation to the gods in order to assure that we've covered all the bases. We look forward to seeing you photos next week. Heal quickly and completely. Hugs...Mary
Yeah, Mary, it's a common procedure, but there's nothing simple about the human body. All the same, with the number of these that are done every day chances are that you'll be home same day, next day at most, and back on your Pradas in no time.
That said, I'll see if I have any juice left with the universe and cook up some good juju for you.
Well, along with the post of serious stuff being very amusing, it also turned up on the 14th but is dated the 16th. Twilight Zone moment.
Seriously, though, be well. Every thought is a prayer.
Annie
I had no idea about that Mary. Thanks for the little tip. Perhaps I will be able to use it in the future. Now I wonder if this reply will bounce back at me like the other one did. Hummmmm.
I just sent this comment via my work email because it keeps bouncing back from gmail. Go figure.
Get well soon and we will be thinking of you.
My goodness Mary - I hope all goes well and you are home in a flash! I just popped by to thank you for your visits and comments - your news caught me by surprise. You will be back online in no time I hope.
I hope you have a simple procedure and a swift recovery, Mary!
I'm sending positive vibes your way.
I'm sure you'll be back bloggin' before we know it.
Best of luck with it, Mary.
2 of my brothers have had this, one had 5 (yes, that was 5!) stints put in following a heart attack, age 40! He's doing really well.
Following that, my other bro went for a check-up, and had 2 stints. He's also doing great, but finds that he gets tired more easily- I think that's because of the blood thinning meds.
Take it easy, and I'll be sending lots of love and light over to you.
oh mary..you sound so brave but you will still need our prayers..
i will be thinking of you and praying for you.
you have become a beloved friend to so many of us.....love terry
Mary, you'll do great. Bob is up to his 7th stint. I call it all "preventive maintenance ", like on a car. (No respect, I know, I know.)
Dear teach Mary,
Terry sent me over, and of course I'll pray for you.
How could I let it be?
(I'll also recommend bringing your best underwear. Hospital clothes are dull and depressing.)
From felisol
good thought felisol!
nice ruby red ones!!!
oh mary t u made me laugh so, i have had a stent, and the doc putting it in was talking about his fishing trip all throught the procedure, just be grateful in the olden days, this procedure would have been full cut into you heart surgery, i am so greatful i have a stent or my whhatsoever would be completely blocked and i would be completely dead
Prayers coming your way and I love your positive attitude! TLC to you!
God Bless You Mary. I will be praying for you ♥ My husband had open heart surgery a few years back. I know what you'll be going through :(
Best wishes...dad had to have this done a few years ago
easy peasy lemon squeezy
and YES you said GROIN!
My stepdad had that procedure and everything went well. It was a few years ago and he's doing great now.
Good luck! I'm sure it will all be just fine.
Mary, I wish you luck! Better than that, I'm praying for you and the doctors too!
You should enjoy this, you can tell us all about it. I've had the angioplasty about seven times. They left three stents, one at a visit. I also have an abdominal aortic aneurysm that has a stent inside of it now. So that was four and then there were a few more that they decided to not put stents. My blockages were in the 70-90% range.
The right side of my heart is not developed and so I can only have those three descending arteries stented. My bypass would only be a tripple bypass max because of this.
I said enjoy it because they will want you awake. Had you told me a few days ago I could have told you to make sure that you can see the monitor. You would/will enjoy watching the stent deploy.
..
I wish you tons of luck ! the worst is the going through an unknown procedure ! "see" you on Saturday/Sunday !
I know it sounds scary, and of course it IS, but the procedure really has been performed routinely for what seems like ages. I'm sure that if your cardiologist is confident, you can take some comfort in that.
Having had three heart catheterizations, I can tell you that the worst part of my procedure is the part when they press on your groin to find the vein. They press HARD, and I couldn't help but flinch because I'm extremely ticklish!
thinking of you mary t and waiting on the sidelines for news that is only good...love terry
I wish you all the best my friend :) My thoughts will be with you :)
Hi Mary, Glad you didn't need the procedure and thus not the meds. I see my Cardiologist on Wed. I am hoping that I can get a feel for how soon I can get off some of the pharmaceuticals. I appreciate your good wishes.
I had no idea you were going through this, MaryT. I'm glad you did not need the procedure and hope all is well!
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