April 19, 2008
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I’M HOME
I ended up getting a stent inserted in my heart, and had to stay overnight in the ICU.
My artery, which was 50% blocked several years ago, now was 75% blocked. They put in a stent when the blockage is 70% or more.
Despite all the things that COULD happen, it was an easy procedure for me. Except for keeping my right leg still afterwards where they went into the artery in my groin. While they were putting the stent in they flush the IV in order to get the dye out of the body quicker.
Well, with my weak bladder, you know what happened. During the 4 hrs I had to be still, I had to use the bed pan 3 or 4 times—-very carefully. I know, TMI (too much information). lol
The doctors all know my aversion to exercise. This morning the cardiac therapist came in and walked me around the hallway. She said there is also out-patient rehab which I could take advantage of, which is voluntary. I didn’t say anything.
When I was OK’d to leave, the ICU nurse came in with my orders. Prescriptions, a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist, AND the orders for rehab. They will contact me this coming week to set it up. Three times a week for several weeks. Between 24 and 30 sessions. So, I will be exercising whether I want to or not. She said this will also show them how well my heart is functioning now, because I will be hooked up to machines while exercising. Maybe this will give me the incentive to exercise more once this is done. There will also be educational classes regarding diet. I pretty much know all there is to know about that part of it, but will maybe learn something new.
At least the rehab is here in town, so I I don’t have to drive up to Green Bay 3 times a week!
Oh, and they also found 3 more minor blockages–30% each, which they will keep a watch on.
I am also on Plavix and aspirin to prevent clotting for a year. This can be a complication with stents. They now use drug eluting stents, which are an improvement over the regular steel stents—-which often caused scarring.
So, I am home, feeling fine. Glad this is over for now. The whole procedure is simple for the patient and painless. But one always worries about the complications.
I know all your prayers helped. Thank you all so much.
BIG HUGS TO YOU ALL!!
Comments (23)
So glad that you are home and your “plumbing” is fixed. I remember perching on a bedpan when I had an epidural while having kiddo, it was either that or they would catherize me (and they did eventually, the rotters) - now how is that for TMI?!!
:love:
I’m glad you are doing well. I’m with you on teexercise part. I don’t like it much unless it’s something fun like walking.
There is no place like home. Welcome home and welcome back toxanga. We missed you!
TONTOO….you were not in good condition but never really told us how bad…glad you had this procedure! Now you can look forward to getting healthy. Go to that therapy and feel good. It is amazing how much better the body can feel and if it can feel better….go for it. My prayers will always be with you and now they are for a no complicated speedy recovery with lots of fun exercise
Lots of love and hugs from TONTOO2 
Nancy, I have been praying for you. I am so relieved to hear everything came out ok. Rehab is good…just keep repeating…rehab is good. Glad you are home and all fixed.
Oh…what a relief it’s all over.:yes: You are brave and I continue to lift you up in my prayers.:sunny::sunny:
Just take care and be a good girl now and listen to the doctor.:wink:
Love,
I was wondering about you…and so glad to hear you are home and all is working well. Rehab can be fun, from people I know who have been through it, they seem to form a little support group of friends. I hope your experience will be just as happy!
You are a brave gal and so glad all went well and you’re home. The visitation tonight was absolutely swamped!!! We thought we were getting there early but there was already a line. So sad! I’m not sure what all was wrong but think it involved a stent or something of that nature.
Nancy, I know you don’t like to exercise and neither do I but you just have to do this for yourself and for your family. Wil walks 2 miles or so a day. Please try to make yourself get in the habit and once the habit is there and in your mind you will just do it as a part of your day.
Glad you are home! I hope you will think about the exercise part, too. My stepdad has had MANY of these procedures done, but he would never exercise, either. Now I think he is sorry because even the most simple things are almost too much for him, even just going to the store and going for a short walk anywhere. It really has affected fun things he would like to do.
Of course, I personally have issues because I am so prone to overheating and I hate to be sweaty! : )
Okay, you got to do the dreaded exercise in some fashion or another. We gotta figure this out….me too.
If I dare express myself like that , I am glad Nancy they inserted in your artery around the heart a stent . So you are secure . Finally it was time . The physical exercises are a nessecity for the rehab and for your well being . I can say it is a relief for me to read your post . Od course I would prefer no blockage at all but things being like that you have avoided athe danger .
I am really relieved .
Have a great Sunday .
Love
Michel
Just read your post and i am sorry that you had to go through this but am glad that they were able to help you , we had friends and family that had this done, as for the exercise i am like you i don’t like to do it , i do enjoy walking at times but the rest of it i just never like it but there comes a time when we have to do it for our health sake and i know that God will help you to do this, i will be holding you up in prayer have a great Sunday and keep us updated many blessing to you
sandy
I’m glad you’re home and that all went well. I guess this means that you and I will be hitting the exercise trail together. Mine begins when I get back home in July and start my pulmonary rehabilitation. It’ll be quite a change for me since I’ve been sedentary for so long. Hugs.
try not to worry about the complications-that is my motto for me right now as well. lovely the proceedure is possible and so simple now isn’t it…….and exercise- “walking is exercise and feels so good M….!!!….”, that was me channeling your heart lol -g :wave:
Oh my Mimi – I have been meaning to come in for so long and now see what you have been going though! It must be so scary, but I am glad they have aleviated the worst. Hopefully the rehab will turn out to be fun and not too hard
Great it is close by too.
I have not put in any new posts yet, but need to – maybe later today if I have the time – it just goes by so fast! (((HUGS)))
I can’t add to what has already been said. Still grinning at the TMI you shared.
Good to hear that you are on the mend now. You might get to enjoy the exercise too
You’ve got a new grandbaby coming. You’d better ask for ongoing rehab, so you keep up the exercise.
Mom isn’t exactly one to like exercise, either, and she dreaded going, but she actually liked it and if they’d had a better time frame (the only opening was 8 am) she would have continued. She couldn’t have a stent inserted when she was in last time, but fortunately for her, a bypass she’d had in her neck alleviates some of her blockage. She takes the Plavix and asprin and also nitro, so you’re doing pretty good. Take care of yourself and keep well.
I don’t exercise either
though I know I should. You will find it easier when you are in a group, each supporting the other. I’m glad that all went well ( ish ! ) for you and now you are home. Love the sound of being in a” rehab ” group, makes it sound as if it’s full of ” celebrities ” which of course you are ! 
Marie
welcome home…sent you a private message.
hugs,:love:
sage
You are going to feel more like exercise now that the heart is getting enough blood/oxygen. I could not have made it on this Arizona excursion without having gotten myself in shape before hand. Now about Rawhide. Yes, they moved it because Scottsdale would not comply with some of their requests. I’m not sure of the whole “drama”, but my SIL said it was Scottsdale’s loss and everyone loves the new location. And yes, I made it to Sedona…..amaaaaazing. I’ll blog about it soon, I promise…with pictures. So glad that you are home and my prayers will continue for you…
I am so glad you are home and doing well. I was concerned for you, but you were a real trooper! I’m glad all is better now. Maybe after Rehab you could find a fun exercise group or club. Do they have Curves where you live? It can be a fun way to exercise, and not too hard either. Or get one of those Ipods or an MP3 player, put on your favorite music and waltz down the street. We all care and enjoy you. So keep taking care of yourself!
I am glad that things went so well for you. Putting in stents seems like a normal thing now and not as big a deal as it used to do. And yes, the exercise will do you good. My cardio keeps telling me the same thing but I keep ignoring him. I know that is bad but that is me…LOL. Thanks for the well wishes. I am actually not so new to xanga. I have just been away for a while but I am back now. Talk to you soon!