Posted on 01/07/2017 11:27:36 PM PST by Swordmaker
Friday morning, just after midnight as I was turning off the TV from watch a movie on Netflix, I felt a sudden pressure and pain in the center of my chest. This pain went through my chest to my back and a bit in my left upper arm. There also, for some strange reason an ache in my right elbow, and later radiatingup my back to both side of my rear neck.
I woke my girlfriend who is an RN. She took my blood pressure which is usually normal, but this time was 189/129. The next important number was 911.
My girl friend gave me four aspirin to chew up. Ten minutes later when the EMTs arrived my BP was down to 180/119 and they gave me four more aspirin because their protocols required it be their aspirin. Theirs tasted better. The pain and pressure were not letting up. They started popping nitroglycerin sublingually and that started to help a bit. They transported me to the OR in an ambulance which had completely worn out shocks. It felt like riding in a cart of a wooden roller coaster, there was so much road chatter.
Starting an IV while on the move in all directions must have been fun for EMT Chris, but he did it. I think the driver located every pothole and crack on the way. . . and the roads seemed to be rough between them!
At the ER my EKG looked good but the blood enzymes started low and began to climb with every subsequent draw, from 0.1 to 0.9. . . that showed my heart had experienced something which damaged the cardiac muscle, but the don't know what. These are not super high, but anything at all indicate damage. Over the next several hours, they got the pain and pressure down with morphine, an IV nitro drip, and an anti-coagulation drip. The enzymes are now down to 0.7.
Kept me overnight in ER, then to a regular room for two hours, then transferred to ICU. Today I was transferred to another hospital because although they can do a catheritization at the first hospital to diagnose a problem, they aren't allowed to fix the problem they find there. Seems silly to do it but not be able to do a balloon angioplasty or place a stent.
So tomorrow they're going to cath me and if this hospital find a problem they can fix, fine. Otherwise, I get to be transferred to ANOTHER hospital for bypass surgery. Let's pray that's not necessary, please.
Prayers up. I had quadruple bypass 3 years ago, so I know what you are going through. The Cath tells the cardiologist a lot, and you’re semi conscious when they do it so you can see the monitor. They can repair some blockages with stents, so not all caths result in open heart surgeries. Keep your head up and trust your doctors.
I now volunteer with an organization called Mended Hearts. We visit patients after they come out of ICU to show them there’s a good life to be had after open heart surgery.
Four things to do after surgery (should that be the outcome) are follow the doctor’s orders, take your meds as prescribed, take your diet seriously, and go to rehab.
Here’s hoping you have a great outcome - we’re praying for you.
The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed; In his illness, You restore him to health.
Psalm 41:3
Prayers up Swordmaker.
Prayers and best wishes.
Prayers up and I hope you are on your feet and about immediately!
Prayers and best wishes, FRiend.
Prayerful Bump.
Prayers up. Been there done that with spouse. Very tough emotional journey as well as physical. Prepare yourself for that. Very lucky you are that your GF is an RN. She will help a lot.
Sorry to hear all the best to ya....By the way great post and 1st person account !
Prayers sent...
Well I didn’t know about this when I paged you to this thread. Hope it gives you a smile. Prayers for you.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3511933/posts
Best to ya my friend. I’ll miss your Apple posts will gone. Hope you are back on the “job” soon!
They can fix you. They fixed me. Worst part of bypass is the opioid constipation.
You’re in my prayers Swordmaker... hang in there for us...
Prayers up, Swordmaker.
Prayers up for your complete healing and a speedy recovery.
Prayers up for a full recovery!!!!!!!
We will be praying Swordmaker.((((Hugs)))))
Oh my goodness, Swordmaker. Prayers for you and those who love you. I’ll be praying and thinking good thoughts for you ALL day. (((Hugs))) Mom
Praying for you now.
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