Wish me luck...
In about 6 hours I go in to the hospital for the Cronic Total Occlusion Stent installation in the left main artery which is known as the Widow Maker Artery. They tried to put stents in back 2 or 3 weeks ago here in Fayetteville, GA but they were not set up to install the stent in the main artery which they found when they got in there. So they had to stop and make reservations for me at the main hospital in Atlanta. They have a back up team there that can do open heart surgery if the stent installation goes bad. The doctor said it is 100 percent blocked. I asked how on earth can it be totally blocked and I've not bit the dust yet? He said my heart has found a way to reroute the blood in my heart that's keeping me alive. It don't flow as good as the main artery but it works for a while. He said I haven't had a heart attack which is a plus and that he believes the stent will do the job. Having to wait a couple of weeks to get this procedure done has been a killer for me. It's hard to sleep knowing your old heart is about ready to call it quits. My blood pressure has been all over the place these past couple of weeks.
With the way my luck has been running the past year and a half I expect the worse. My wife died about 5 weeks ago from cancer, my oldest son's wife has stage 4 brain cancer and is continuing chemo and he can't be here with me and my youngest son's wife is battling an illness that won't let her raise her arms above her waist so he can't be here plus he's over 3,000 miles away and has already spent thousands of bucks in air line tickets visiting his mom before she passed away.
So I'm here on my own. My mom is 91 years old and can't come to be with me and I wouldn't want her to even if she could. My sister is taking care of my mom so she can't come and the rest of my family has already kicked the bucket years ago. It's a real pain in the rear getting old.
I've had to call a cab to pick me up at 4:00AM this morning to get me to the hospital. I could drive myself but they won't let me leave the hospital without someone to drive me and if I were to just leave and have a wreck and kill somebody from being on drugs and not following hospital orders I really would be in a world of hurt. So I'll just call a cab. I checked out Uber and there is no way to talk to someone and I live out in the county so there might be a car available or there may not and without talking to someone in person I'm not taking a chance. The cab driver has already called to confirm my ride this morning and gave me his phone number. He also said he would call again before he arrives.
Oh well, I'll probably not make it through the procedure anyway so this stuff won't be high on my list of giving a crap about.
I've spent several hours today writing notes for my youngest son to know where and how to operate things here at the house if I don't make it back.
If'n you all don't hear from me again it's been nice hanging out with you here on the forum. You all have been very supportive during June's year and a half battle with cancer before she died. She and I both appreciated all the prayers and well wishes she received during that terrible time.
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Prayers for a positive outcome.
God bless.
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Prayers
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Prayers for a successful procedure.
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Best of luck I am sure you will feel posting in no time
When I was 48 I had to do open heart 98 to 99% blocked but as you no heart attack
Did not go all that well too many details but the docs and my guardian angel got me thru it
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Good luck as dealing with the heart they can do great things.
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Prayers for you Smitty going out this morning.
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Ya got this Smitty! You'll be surprised how much energy you'll have when they get that pesky old blockage opened up. Best wishes. Bob
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Hang in there Smitty. You are about due for some good luck. You will make it. Prayers for you.------------------------Ray
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That is one of the saddest things I have read in a while. Take care and good luck.
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Prayers for a successful procedure Smitty! You will be back here posting soon enough.
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Prayers...
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I'm very surprised that they don't bypass the plugged arteries. That's what kept me alive when 5 of my arteries were between 85 and 95% plugged. Hope you have positive results.
Joe
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Man that's tough ,prayers for a good outcome.
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Prayers for God's Peace and for the Medical staff handling this whole process !
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Chin up Smitty. I know you will not read this until it is over. You're going to feel better when you get home and heal up from the procedure. The very positive thing is something can be done to treat you. It hasn't been all that long ago when these things weren't possible. I know right now you may not feel like it but you and your family are lucky this issue was found and treated rather than not found and not treated. You have miles to travel on the journey ahead of you.
Our best prayers and wishes sent from here.
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Prayers said!
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best wishes for a good outcome...sounds like your trail has been quite rocky for a while......i made it with a dual implant defib/pace maker and around 15 pills a day ....AND...having a skilled retired ARNP wife to help keep me going ..... you have survived what many could not ......keep on going.
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"I've spent several hours today writing notes for my youngest son to know where and how to operate things here at the house if I don't make it back."
That sounds like an engineering manager.
You're been through the wringer, Smitty. Prayers for a successful outcome.
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Prayers continue for you and a speedy recovery.
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Prayers with you
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Since it is already over, I will wait until your next post to say, that's good news.
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Still in the thoughts, expecting they kept you overnight to keep an eye on you.
As above, waiting for the post op post.
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Hey everyone,
I made it through the procedure.
As usual I really do appreciate the prayers and all the well wishes that y'all continue to send out for me.
Doctor said they installed three stints in the main artery. I was awake through the whole thing and watching it on big screen. It's basically a roto rooter. He went in and cleaned up the artery and then installed the stints. The worst part was when he was dragging that equipment back out of the artery in my groan and putting pressure on them to stop the bleeding. Man that hurt like the dickens.
I got back home this afternoon and I was expecting to feel a whole lot better than this but it could be that I've not gotten any rest being in the hospital. I feel worn out and it's a real chore to go up any steps.
That taxi cab ride back through Atlanta to home during the rainstorm didn't help any either.
I sure do miss June she used to take care of me during all the surgeries that I've had over the years. She watched over me like a mother hen making sure that I did everything I was supposed to do. And taking care of all the details like insurance etc.
Anyway right now I feel like crap and I haven't had anything decent to eat in 3 days so I'll try to fix something and maybe I'll feel better later. Or maybe I'll call Pizza Hut. Yep that's probably what I really need is some greasy food. Ha
Thanks again guys I'll be talking to you all later when I feel better.
Greg
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Thank you for the update, great news! Prayers continue for your speedy and complete recovery!
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Glad it went well. Follow all of the directions they gave you and you should be fine in a couple of days. A buddy of mine overdid and caused the spot in his groin where they went in to open back up. Bled like a stuck pig until he made it back to the hospital. A doctor with great bedside manner called him a dumba$$ and stitched him back up. He wised up and took it easy after that. Keep us posted on your progress. Bob
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Hang in there Smitty. So tough to go through all that on your own, and had to take a cab back from the hospital.
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Great to see your post Smitty!
Glad that you are home. Probably ok that you are tired. Don’t want to over due it and open up the incision.
Let us know how you are progressing.
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Thank you for the update, great news Greg!!!
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God is good. Now heed the doctor's orders, take it easy and heal correctly.
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Great to hear you are home, take it slow and remember June is still watching over you let that thought be your guide Prayers continue for your recovery.
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