As many of you know this past Wednesday I underwent the second angioplasty and stenting of my heart in 6 weeks. The weeks of December 28, 2007 - January 16, 2008 I suffered at least 5 heart attacks, the last one was massive, and three blockages were found in the Left Anterior Descending Artery, Right Coronary Artery and Circumflex Artery. The blockages are all over 90% and at least 2 are 98%. I was very lucky to survive the day. On January 17, 2008 I had angioplasty and one stent was put in the Left Anterior Descending Artery. This stent is about 1 1/2 X 1/18 inches in size. Because I had several MIs and did nothing about them I have muscle damage to the left side of my heart and it will never will recover.
IF YOU ARE HAVING CHEST PAINS CALL 911 ASAP AND GET PROFESSIONAL HELP!! On Wednesday, March 6, 2008 at 9am I had the second angioplasty and stenting. This time the Doctor found 1 additional blockage in the Right Coronary Artery which required 2 stents. One stent is 1 3/4 X 1/18 inches in size. The second stent is 1 1/2 X 1/18 inches in size.
What I did not know and the Doctor found when I was on the table is in addition to the blockage in the Circumflex Artery there is another one. The Doctor did not believe these two blockages would cause any problems and that they just needed to be watched. As it turns out this may not be true. About 1pm on the 6TH I started having serve chest pains when I was laying in bed. I had an EKG and was not having another MI (which is very good) and the pain was relieved when I got a Morphine shot. The chest pains continue off and on for a few minutes the rest of the afternoon and again a 7:30PM I had serve pain again. Once again I was given a Morphine shot and the pain was relieved. I went pain free for a few more hours until I went for a very short walk. Once again the chest pain hit and stopped a few minutes later when I was sitting down. This happened when I took two more short walks. I was given a Nitroglycerin pill and went for another walk, this time without any pain. I will be taking Nitroglycerin pill from now on. In a few months I will be having a stress test and if the two blockages show they are causing the chest pain the need to be corrected. One of the blockages can be corrected with a stent and the other will need a bypass. I was not happy to hear this and I will do my best not to stress over this.
This photo was taken 3/5/2008 at 8pm. It is not a very flattering photo of me BUT if I can prevent any other person from going what I am going through is worth showing my photo.
This is the wall behind my bed. I was very lucky and only hooked up to the oxygen line.
This is the IV line that was hooked up to Catheter in my groin.
I had a six lead wire hooked to my chest which was connected to a computer at the nurses station, a monitoring room on the CCU floor and a monitor above my head. As you can see my blood pressure was great, heart rate a bit high and EKG a bit bouncy. Do you love my medical terms? This photos was taken on 3/6/2008 at 8AM just after I was having chest pains.
This is on the March 6th at 2pm. I am now hooked up to the portable monitor, I still have the two IVs but they are not hooked to anything, I can sit in a chair and I am free to go to the bathroom. I almost feel human again. Still not a good looking photo.
This is the site were the Catheter was in my groin. I masked most of the area so I could keep the photo "G" rated. As you can see it is very small. Under the skin and in the artery is a plug. Four stitches were used to close the skin on the outside. With the first angioplasty this site was very painful and this time I have very little pain. Even today I have very little pain and swelling. I am black and blue but that is expected and is also because of my blood cancer.
When I was told I was going home I looked outside and this beautiful sunset was waiting for me. I said a prayer, thanked G-D for my family, friends, all the medical staff, for the sick people in the hospital and for letting me live another day.
Signs outside the door of my room. Latex is not my friend and because I have blood cancer (now in remission) I can not have live flowers in my room, I had a special diet and I have problems fighting infections. My white blood cells are very low and when I go out in public for the next few weeks I have to wear a mask.
Stayed tuned to part TWO, photos of my blockages and EKG.
Yes you told me and I listened! I could not of done it without you by my side. - Cosa Nostra
Debbi
dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)
©2006 - 2008 DubiQuilts
Photo after the first stent placment and blood flow has returned to the artery and heart.
This is the IV line that was hooked up to Catheter in my groin.
I had a six lead wire hooked to my chest which was connected to a computer at the nurses station, a monitoring room on the CCU floor and a monitor above my head. As you can see my blood pressure was great, heart rate a bit high and EKG a bit bouncy. Do you love my medical terms? This photos was taken on 3/6/2008 at 8AM just after I was having chest pains.
This is the site were the Catheter was in my groin. I masked most of the area so I could keep the photo "G" rated. As you can see it is very small. Under the skin and in the artery is a plug. Four stitches were used to close the skin on the outside. With the first angioplasty this site was very painful and this time I have very little pain. Even today I have very little pain and swelling. I am black and blue but that is expected and is also because of my blood cancer.
When I was told I was going home I looked outside and this beautiful sunset was waiting for me. I said a prayer, thanked G-D for my family, friends, all the medical staff, for the sick people in the hospital and for letting me live another day.
Signs outside the door of my room. Latex is not my friend and because I have blood cancer (now in remission) I can not have live flowers in my room, I had a special diet and I have problems fighting infections. My white blood cells are very low and when I go out in public for the next few weeks I have to wear a mask.
