Remember this past March.........my emergency appendectomy? This time, I had a planned hospital admission. Lasted from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Back the last of February, 4 days before my appendectomy, during a routine office visit with our cardiologist (one of the last trips that Ronnie and took together), the Dr. strongly suggested that I have a carotid arteriogram. I finally agreed to have this procedure done, scheduled it for this past Friday.
The previous carotid doppler tests, that I have been having during the past 3 years, showed a "possible" 80% blockage in my left carotid and a "possible" 50% blockage in the right. So "the plan" was that IF it was AT LEAST 80% blocked, then the Dr. would insert a stent to keep my artery open. But IF it was LESS THAN 80% blocked, then no nothing, just remove the arteriogram equipment.
Needless to say, I was VERY apprehensive for a number of reasons. Friday morning, as I was lying in the O.R. waiting for the staff to take their places, I considered saying "Let's call this whole thing off......I want to go home now with my family!" But I didn't say it.
During the procedure I was awake (in a relaxed state) and aware of my surroundings. I was entertained with several one-second sycodelic light shows (spider webs of lightning flashes) each time the Dr. shot spurts of dye in my artery.
End results.............left carotid 50% blockage.........right side, only slight blockage. No stents.
All is now over and done with and I am feeling almost back up to par. Still under Dr. orders to "take-it-easy" for a couple more days.
To those of you which knew beforehand.............THANK YOU for your prayers!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad you feel [my new blog of Poor Widow Me] says it all...we are now defined as 'widow'...Have you had to check that box yet? You know, married, single, divorced...etc.
I realize I am still a grandma boomer (but now the grandma who sits in the back of the car, ya know?) and will incorporate that into my Poor Widow Me blog but think from now on will only post in the new PWM - hope you will blogroll me like that...okay?
answer from Cindy: "checking THAT box" , yes, I have already had to on several occasions. It's an odd feeling every time. It's like an annoucement to the world.
Posted by: Carol Scibelli | August 22, 2006 at 02:13 PM
Glad to hear that all is well.... and I'm proud of you for going ahead with the test. Keep us posted on Life After Retirment
Posted by: Ann | August 22, 2006 at 06:26 AM
Held my breath (not really) but I was anxious to see if you were okay and if there was a happy ending...
So sorry that Ronnie could not be by your side during that ordeal - would have been so much easier for you - I know that must have been what you were feeling...
Posted by: Carol Scibelli | August 21, 2006 at 09:17 PM
Hi Cindy...As I was reading along I was hoping to get quickly to the end to find a happy ending...
I was so aware that you must have been especially apprehensive without Ronnie by your side or at least just a phone call away.
These are the moments, I understand...
Posted by: Carol Scibelli | August 21, 2006 at 03:29 PM
I am glad to hear it went well. I was afraid when I saw the title that you were having another emergency procedure.
Take care of yourself!
Posted by: Tracy | August 20, 2006 at 07:28 AM