In late May of 2005 on days off and/or down time I just couldn't seem to get off of the couch. I seemed always tired/blah. Being fairly active as far as yardwork/etc go I mentioned it to my wife and she, being in the medical prof, recommended a doc who, after checking me out, recommended a stress test.
I remember it well. The stress test was on a Wed. After the test I asked my wife, "When ya think I'll hear back about the results"? Her reply........ehh, in a week or so. He called me that same wed at around 4:30p-ish.
Doc: "Hey, looks like the back of your heart isn't getting much blood and we'd like/need to do a cardiac cath!
Me: "Well, the rest of this month doesn't look good, how bout mid to late June"?
Doc: No, that's not good, how bout tomorrow morn at 7:15am"!!!!!!
Me: "Ummm, uhh, Ok".
It was fairly simple. It was at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield. During the procedure your conscious but extremely happily snowed. One Doc does the cath to look for any blockage and there's another "Stent Team" behind a large window. If you need a stent they'll put one in. If you need 2 or more(2 diff arteries) they'll sched it for the next day, etc. At least that's how my Doc and team worked.
During my procedure..........
Cath Doc: " Well, you need a stent".
Me, totally snowed and a huge smile on my face:
"OweKaaaayyyy".
Result: Stent in mt RCA as it was 90% blocked.
The only thing I felt was when the Stent Doc/Team entered my right side groin area with the stent and there was no pain whatsoever.
They'll recommend staying off your feet, no lifting, etc and a week off work just so you don't pop something open but they're pretty common these days hence really no worries.
