The Angiogram Experience

May 30, 2017. I need to be at the hospital by 6:45 - an hour away. Not so bad, considering that I am able to have a light breakfast, including coffee. No dietary restrictions for this one.

I did understand that theres always a slight chance for stroke or heart attack doing this procedure, but it's necessary. This will tell my doctor if any of my arteries are clogged, and if he will also need to do a bypass surgery while he is replacing my valve and my aorta.

The 20 minute procedure took about an hour and a half. The team told me the wires they started to use on me is what 95% of the patients having the procedure done, works well. Of course, I am in the 5% that needed different wires. They had to locate different wires and at least 2 different sets were used. I was given fentenol to help me relax at the start of the procedure. It was quite uncomfortable. Not that I was in "pain" exactly, it was more like hitting my funny bone and the discomfort that causes up your arm. I wasn't expecting to feel the wires in my veins, but I did. That was a little weird, too.

Good news...my arteries are not blocked! Not so good news, my aorta is twisted. They had a hard time getting through to my arteries because of the size of my aneurysm, and twisted aorta. I was certainly glad when it was over.

I didn't mind not doing dishes for the 3 days I couldn't immerse my hand in water. It was unusual not to use the computer or my phone to text, etc. All in all, not such a bad experience.

CT or CAT scan on June 20th. Pre-op or Pre-admit scheduled at 9am before the scan. Maybe then, I'll find out when the surgery will take place.