The Houses of Parliament this morning as I walked over Westminster Bridge to St Thomas’ Hospital opposite. Was a beautiful sunny spring day.
Arrived on the ward early morning, just after nine.
I was allowed a light breakfast as long as it was eaten before 6 AM. But I never ate anything and drank only water (allowed).
The staff were fabulous. Friendly, supportive, calm.
Had weight, height, temperature, blood pressure and heart rate taken.
Then I changed into a hospital gown and special non-slip socks. Settled in a chair next to a bed in a four bed room. One patient already there. Another two arrived shortly after me.
The procedure was explained by a staff nurse and that I would later sign a consent form with the doctor.
Was told catherisation was to be through the radial artery in the wrist, but would revert to femoral artery in the leg if problems arose. Staff Nurse put a cannula in my left arm for meds.
I was about fourth on the procedure list. Eventually taken down to the Cath Theatre at 12.45.
Doctor explained procedure and risks again. Asked if I had any questions. Then I signed the consent form.
All the cath team friendly. Each step explained. I had electrodes attached.
Lignocaine was applied and the cath device attached to my right wrist. Then a drug infused. Shortish, sharp spreading pain in lower arm as drug went in, but that soon stopped.
X-ray machine hovered here and there over my chest. The doctor then threaded the device. Began to get some pain in wrist and arm as he did this. Gave more ‘numbing’ drug (I think!). Then all fine.
At first could feel only slight discomfort in arm but nothing else. X-rays were taken and the machine hovered this way and that above me.
Then more threading and manoeuvring by the doctor. And an increasing ache and pain in my right arm. As if I could feel each movement of the threading but with ever increasing pain.
Doctor became aware of my discomfort. My pain threshold usually high but it became too much.
Cath doctor stopped as the cardiac physiologist attached a drip of
Midazolam. Relief.
Procedure continued. Cath doctor called in another doctor, but before he arrived I fell suddenly asleep! Ha.
Next thing I was woken saying all done and arteries in good shape ... no problems. Which was good to know.
Moved to nearby recovery room and vitals monitored. Fell asleep again!
Then back to ward. And food! Hurray!
Vitals monitored. For an hour or so. Tight wrist band over wound slowly deflated in stages.
The man opposite had had the same procedure as myself shortly before and was soon to go home. He wanted to go to the toilet. Staff nurse told him he mustn’t lean on his cath wrist as he gets up as it was still vulnerable to bleeding until healed. But unfortunately he did lean on it as he rose. And Bingo. Blood everywhere as he opened up his arterial wound. It was quickly brought under control, but a good object lesson on how we must listen to the staff nurse!
I was released a little before 5PM. A friend came to assist me back home. We took an Uber through the crush of the rush hour traffic.
I’m still spaced out. And my arm aches. But glad it’s done and clear.
And just reading my copy of the Cardiac Cath Report I was given I see it says I have
minor artheroma only. Staff nurse said most of us has a trace of artheroma and it’s nothing to worry about.
Noticed also on the report it says -
Diagnosis: Aortic regurgitation-non-rheumatic.
Perhaps that means I have some regurgitation, too.
My AVR moves closer
