Angioplasy with Stent

 Wednesday, March 9, 2022

I was at the check-in desk at 12:10 p.m. for my 12:30 p.m. appointment, thanks to Claude driving me there.  At 12:56, I was hooked up to an IV.  A 3:08, I was seen by an anesthesiologist.  My blood pressure was way over 200.  I got many combinations of drugs to reduce it before my surgery.

The surgery room was filled with all kinds of apparatus.  I saw Dr. Kostopoulos behind a glass screen, and many other nurses and doctors were in the room.  I was shaved in the right groin where an incision would go and my right wrist was strapped down.  I felt nothing except a belly ache.  I have no idea how long this took before I was wheeled into my room on the 10th floor.

I had a heart monitor and an IV and felt nauseous.  I ordered a veggie stir-fry, but couldn't eat it.  There were a couple of saltines, but that didn't appeal to me.  I also had some ginger ale.  I had to vomit, which was very painful, mostly the result of all the medications that I was taking.  My blood pressure remained high and a medication was put in the intravenous tube.  With all those medications, it went down to an acceptable rate.  But I had nothing to eat.

Thursday, March 10, 2022

I had a great night's sleep, until a tech came to give me meds at 3:45 a.m.  I was able to get back to sleep and slept soundly.  I got up to wash and brush my teeth and ordered oatmeal, an orange and cranberry juice for breakfast that I ate at a small table.  I felt a little queasiness. Lucyna Kapel came to take blood and I can't remember having a more friendly person.  Again, my blood pressure was higher, but not as high as 200.  Dr. Kostopoulos came in to explain that I had one stent that was inserted from the groin; the artery had 90% blockage, but the new technique of an expanding balloon will work very well.  He also predicted that I may need stents in the other two arteries.  I will see him in one week.  Lucyna came in again because another sample was needed. Again, she was in good humor.  Dr. Kostopoulos' assistant came in and explained what was done and precautions to take.  She said my kidney function was good; that was good news.  A cardiac specialist came with information suggesting a rehab program at St. Luke's which I would have to attend two times weekly.  He also had information about diet and self-directed exercise.  There is a lot to read.  A nurse came with discharge instructions: some changes in medication and care for the incisions.  Claude would be able to pick me up at 11:30 a.m.  

Tyler provided Claude with a wheel chair to take me to my room.  I tried eating a little pasta salad.  We turned on the TV, but I thought going to bed was the better idea.  Claude pulled down the blinds and I curled up in bed.  Claude stayed for awhile.  I felt very refreshed when I woke up at 4:10 p.m.