A broken Heart 2
The hospital was very good, the ward I was on had about 12 patients and a nurse for every three bads, the first night it was blood pressure every hour, pills and being kept comfortable.
As I lay there I got time to think about where I had been and where was I going. First of all I could not believe what had happened to me, I had been on a diet for three months, I had lost a few pounds my cholestral was coming down I was excersing regular, i realised I was in denial, I believed that I could never have a heart attack. I had ample warnings but did not heed the warnings, I was convinced it was indgestion.
I had a couple of scans over the next two days, I could see my heart beating on a screen, it fascinated me and made me determine that life is too preciuos to take for granted.
The cardiac doctor visited me and told me I would be going down to Aberdeen Royal Infifmary for an Angiogramme and depending on the Angiogramme they would decide waht the next step would be, they would prepare me to travel down by ambulance, I would have to be shifted to another ward for the day before I left and the consultant who would perform the Angiogramme would be in to see me.
The consultant came and saw me that afternoon, explained to me the procedure, and warned me that if I had Stents inserted there was a 20% risk. But the biggest risk is not having it done. I aggreed to take the risk.
I was awakened at five the next morning had breakfast shower and shave dressed and was on my way at 7 in the morning, Aberdeen is about 70 miles from Elgin and we were ther by 9, they put me in a day ward and it was 2pm before they came for me, the guy who went down before me was still down there, i had hoped he would be back before I went down.
They took me down to the area where the doctor came and explained to me the risks and made me sign the papers giving them permission to perform the operation. the doctor explained that this was the first day the consultant was back as he had been off sick for a couple of weeks, and thats why there was a delay. he asked me if I wanted to be awake whilst they did the Angiogramme and put the stents in, all I would feelis a little pressure in my chest or would I like to be asleep whilst they did the op, I was adamant that no way was I going to sleep, I was scared of not waking up.
so into the lab I went, thats what they called it, they explained what they would do, i felt someing go into my wrist it felt warm and got a little hot, then I felt something move in my chest and down towards my heart, The consultant told me I was doing fine and what i could feel was the balloon opening an artery, when the artery was opened they would put the stent in, this would happen three times.
as the surgeon was performing putting the 3rd stent in, he remarked that he had come back too early and should have had another week off, one of the nurses commented he had just had a fortnight off and he looked ok.
the consultant said to me How are you doing Peter, I replied better than you doc, maybe you should see a doctor when you finished here.
The last stent was put in, the cosultant said I would feel a little pressure then it would be over, The machine that was over me strarted up OMG I thought I was having another heart attack then it was over.
They wheeled me out and took me up to the area I was in before. I thought I was going home, but they said not until the next day.
I got home the next day, Tara was pleased to see me, and my neighbours were good taking Tara out for her walks.
i spent a month resting then I had to go for physiotherapy and excersise, after a five week stint at tis I went to a gym and done exercises there. Jim a guy there befriended me and he was so fit, he was 90 years old, I asked Jim what happened with him, he said 8 years previous he had a broken heart and the doctors repaired it for him. That guy is an inspiration to me and made me determinned to look after myself in the future.
If you have a pain in your chest, get it checked out, dont go into denial. It could be a warning your heart is getting broken.
I have lost 30 pounds since then I cannot take any more off I keep trying, I have gone from a 42 waist back to thirty six. I feel great now.
That’s one broken heart Peter keep up the good work,
Peter so glad you were able to have the stents put in your heart to open up your artery’s to your heart. I have 2 good friend’s Eileen who is 87 and her son Gary who both had stents put in there heart and he had a heart attack she didn’t. My half brother Jerry had a heart attack this year and they had to do a tripple by pass on him but he is doing better and on a sticked diet as he was very over weight and could have died. So thanks for posting this about you heart attack Peter and take care now . Anne Marie
Thank you sharing your “broken heart” story, Peter. So many need to hear this, as you made the signs so clear, we will know what to expect. also very glad, that even with your procrastination, you were still able to be with us today.. I guess we all have to have our little crisis with life to realize how quickly it could be over.. So glad you are here to tell the story. Nita
Hi again Peter,
Congratulations on getting your stents and yourself back to good health!
Two years ago, I had a mini stroke. Tests revealed my left carotid artery in my neck was almost completely blocked. A surgeon then sat down and told me the risks involved in having surgery, and to be honest, they were terrifying. The least of them was dying on the operating table; I could be paralyzed, unable to speak, unable even to swallow requiring a tube inserted into my stomach to feed me and many other equally horrifying risks. I sat there quaking with fear. He then went on to tell me that if I didn’t have this surgery, I had a 40% chance of having another stroke; having the surgery reduced it to 10%. I had the surgery, but words cannot describe how terrified I was of it. Thank God, I came through just fine.
I am so happy you’re doing well Peter – keep up the good work.