Cath Tomorrow

[Mom2izzy]

I'm much less worried than I thought I would be...probably mostly because of all the encouraging stories from this group (thanks). I also think a lot of people who have caths are worried that it might mean surgery, but I'm already scheduled...:thumbup:

 

[Nancy jane]

Hi. Thinking of you ! Mine is 2-8. Cath. Then next day is v-day. Pls email me how it went for you. I've less anxiety for sure due to the posts here but still nervous. I'll be out for valve. And may ask for cath to e out too

So eager to hear. Good luck ! Nancy Jane.

 

[marc_kowal]

Good luck with the cath! I had mine last Friday and it was a breeze! Worst part was just lying flat for a few hours afterwards.

 

[Luana]

It really is almost like nothing. I agree that the worst part was having to be flat on my back for several hours.

 

[epstns]

I'll have to admit that I was more anxious about the cath than I was about the surgery itself. Probably because I knew for many years I would need surgery and the cath might show even more repairs needed. Mine did show an artery partially blocked. They said that absent my need for valve surgery, I would have needed a stent in a few years, but since I was going in for valve surgery, they did a single bypass. After it all, I'm glad to have that taken care of sooner, rather than later.

Also, I guess there's always a fear of the unknown, and fear of discomfort and loss of dignity. All of these proved to be totally uncalled for. In my case, not only did the procedure go smoothly and well, but it was interesting. And, with the newest post-procedure closures, I only had to be flat on my back for a couple of hours.

 

[selma]

I had mine a week ago today and, like Marc's, it was a breeze. I have lower back issues and was really nervous about that flat table, but the nurses gave me a cushion for under my knees and that helped a lot. I found all the prep part quite interesting and though they tell me I was awake enough to follow simple commands ("SIT" "STAY!") I don't remember anything. You'll do fine.

Selma in Woodstock

 

[Mom2izzy]

I'm still in the lying in bed portion of he day. That really was a piece of cake! The worst part was getting the IV started, and even that wasn't bad. It could have been easier, but I didn't want it in my elbow because I needed to be able to bend it while knitting my scarf in bed . I was taken to my room for the prep work...getting in my gown, starting the IV, getting a little shave, quick EKG, then a dose of aspirin. Then it was off to the lab...I had a four man (not a girl in the bunch) team...then Dr, two techs and a nurse (I think...he was the angel with the super juice). They painted both sides of my groin area with something like beta dyne...it was COLD. At least they warned me in advance. I talked weth the nurse regarding my fear of medicine. We agreed on NO pain meds (not really needed), he gave me some Benadryl which is supposed to help with nausea, then he gave me a little bit of the Verset (sp?) When that didn't cause any nausea he gave me a little more. This is where it all gets fuzzy...I vaguely remember them telling me the sheaths were in, then I sort of remember seeing my cardio, I remember that someone kept pushing my leg down...I kept bending it. Next thing I knew I was back in my bed alternating between sleep and being awake. That's where they took the sheaths out and held some pressure on each. I had one in my artery and one in my vein. That's when I started the one hour flat on my back. At the one hour mark, they put the head of the bed up to 30 degrees and let me order room service. Now I'm just waiting for the doc to come by. I was given the pics and they told me that there were no blockages. I can't get up until 2:00, then I will walk around to make sure the clots hold before they send me home. I was told no more than 5 pounds for 48 hours (which is way better than 5 days which I had heard before.)

 

[escargome]

Great to hear that all went well. Isn't that happy juice great? I have had two cath procedures and both went very well. Stay still and do what they say about no lifting for a little while.

 

[marc_kowal]

One thing I forgot to mention, the adhesive from the bandage gave me a rash in that area. My general practice doctor said it was contact dermatitis & pre-scribed a cream for it. It's already starting to clear up

 

[Sarah_Louise]

Glad to hear all went well hope your home soon,
Love Sarah xxx

 

[selma]

Hey! Glad you had such an easy time of it. I got a little rash from the band-aid, too, and a big ol' bruise showed up a few days later. I think it was from the pressure the nurse put on the incisions after the procedure. He was a seriously strong guy and I thought I saw knuckle marks.

Nice to meet another knitter -- I figure that's the silver lining. I'll be able to knit my face off while I'm recovering. In between healthy walks, I mean.

Selma in Woodstock

 

[Jkm7]

Happy to hear your cath went well for you.
Good news.

 

[Mom2izzy]

Thanks!

CAUTION: Be very careful how you use the leg...I accidentally used that leg to push off of the end of the bed to sit up. I was literally getting up to go home but the twinge of pain triggered a Vagle reaction and I about fell down. Ended up back in bed for an hour...but I'm home now.

Was anyone else completely freaked out about blowing the clots out? Has it ever happened to any of you? The thought of it has me in full blown panic mode! I keep telling myself that if it was that probable, they would make you stay in the hospital...What do you think?

 

[bbuck]

Hey Mom,
Glad your cath went good, mine did too. I was concerned about blowing the clots too. Luckily I had a regular follow up with my family doctor 2 days after the cath, I had the doc check everything out, she said all was good.
I think you are right, if it were common they would keep you in the hospital longer

 

[Boston Tiger]

Good to hear it went well. One of the good things about going in for the cath or CT scan is that it lets you see how well the staff will listen to and work around your concerns. That might be one of the reasons so many people feel the calm settling in around them in the days immediately before the surgery.

 

[Nancy jane]

What a great report. I was waiting for it. Thx so much. Mine is 2-8. So perfect timing. And to ave you be typing right after. Way to go. Thx again and best to u. Nancy Jane.

 

[Ovie]

Good to hear it went well!

 

[marc_kowal]

Re: blowing out clots, I didn't have any worries as my doctor used a procedure called SMC "Suture Mediated Closure". Basically a device is used to deliver 1 or 2 stiches to the femoral artery and this speeds up your recovery/discharge time in the hospital. I think I was up and out of the hospital in about 2 hrs after the procedure was done.

 

[Mom2izzy]

Woke up this morning...expecting pain and feeling none! Makes it a little harder to remember not to do things that put more weight or stress on that muscle. Due to my lack of tolerance level for drugs (I think), I'm feeling a little hung over, but not too bad. The worst of it is where the nurse tried, unsuccessfully, to start my IV in a vein between my elbow and wrist. This was by my request because I was afraid I wouldn't be able knit with an IV in my elbow. Ended up with it in my elbow...still managed to knit...and have one monster bruise on my arm. The things a knitter does for the love of yarn!

Ken, you are right that I feel a little less stress now that I've seen how willing the nurse was to work around my drug fears. Unfortunately, my cath was not done at the hospital where my surgery will be done. Hoping I will continue to get good nurses at the other hospital as well. Of course it didn't hurt that he was a cute boy and we mostly talked about the fact that he knows one of my best friends who is also a nurse, and I knew one of his old roommates that works at the same place that I do. Felt more like meeting someone at a party then being rolled in for a pretty spooky procedure.

 

[SusQ]

The things a knitter does for the love of yarn!

Ha. I found this funny. Our youngest daughter (then 19) had a car accident last May and broke an arm and a leg. She's a knitter and managed to knit with a cast on her dominant arm. Good thing it worked because it was a looooooooooong summer for all of us.