Back from Angioplasty!

[StephN]

Hello dear group -
Here is my report on unclogging my vena cava.
My day on Tuesday was rather messed up, but they did get to me in the end.

I checked in at 8am for a 10am procedure. Well, the desk said they had me down for 10am check in and 12 noon procedure. I said "whatever" and would chill with my book.

Time went by and they moved me from the 4 person day patient room to a two person room. Then my doctor's nurse practioner showed up at about 1:30 to tell me that a very complicated emergency case had been brought in and the team elected to work on that lady before me. Plus the case in front of me had taken longer than expected. About 4:30 the nurse came back and said they were STILL working on that lady who had 6 badly clotted veins in her legs, but would bring me down momentarily to begin the prep process.

(It is beyond me how someone can be SO bad off that they are not treated somehow, somewhere and only come to emergency when it is life or death time.)

When my doctor came in he said, "You have been the subject of much discussion around here." Well, THAT got my attention. My case had been discussed in two department conferences. The prevailing wisdom was to try to get a wire past the clot in my vena cava and open it up without taking out my port-a-catheter. THEN, if that failed they would pull my port and try the balloon again.

Fortunately our Good Lord heard all the fervent prayers and the balloon procedure did finally work. They went in via my right internal jugular and were able to get my vein open without needing a stent. My symptoms are already getting better. My surface veins on my abdoman have not miraculously disappeared as Joan's did, but are much better looking.

My roommate for overnight was an overweight 51-year-old lady who had the lap band procedure. She was up using the bathroom by dawn and wanting a shower! She had 5 little bandages on her abdoman and very little pain. We chatted a lot while waiting for our rides home.

Went to the cancer center yesterday for my usual Herceptin and my nurses were all very happy to see me looking better and able to keep my port.

My vascular surgeon will monitor me for any return of symptoms and gave me PLAVIX to take to keep my platelets from closing the area he worked on. Hope that will work! This may be a somewhat temporary measure, but at least I am under the care of another top doc.

[Yorkiegirl]

Steph, I'm glad that the procedure worked well for you. I hope you have no more problems.
Sorry to hear you had to wait SO LONG for the procedure. I like you often wonder about people who wait and wait until they do have to end up in the ER.

[AlaskaAngel]

Hi Steph,

How come you always end up with such interesting circumstances! ? A long, long day for you -- but I'm glad that you appear to be making progress with this problem. You explain it all so clearly. Glad you are past that hurdle, and hope anything more will be soon just a memory!

A.A.

[Jackie07]

That sure was a very interesting day! Thanks for sharing, and I am glad you are feeling better.

[Believe51]

This post was very refreshing to read, I have been thinking about you and your 'unclogging' and so happy that it is over. Also very comforting to know you have the best of the best caring for you. You have remained in our prayers and I really cannot wait to tell the Mighty Oak when he asks.....and he always does. The best is when I already have an answer to the question about one of his friends here.

Well, as exciting as it all was for you I have come to one conclusion.....nothing is uneventful in your journey (smiling). Sending lots of love and continued prayers to a very sweet friend. I am so glad I have you in our lives!!>>Believe51

[NanaKaren]

Steph,
Sorry your day was so long, but glad everything turned out well. I hope all continues to go well. All my love, NanaKaren

[PinkGirl]

Geez StephN, I'm glad that day is over with and I'm very happy that you now have an unclogged vena cava.... everyone
should have one :) Thanks for the update.

[WomanofSteel]

Steph am glad that after your long wait, your surgery is finished and was successful. Am praying for your continued health.

[Mary Anne in TX]

Steph, you are amazing. It would have taken me walking at least 10 miles around the hospital to wait that one out. And you chilled and read a book! Amazing. But the best is that you are good and that they were able to do it without removing your port. May lots of good things happen to you today. ma

[TriciaK]

As usual, Steph, your adventures are just amazing---and surely inspiring. We should all learn to take things in stride like you do. What an example! I hope this means you can relax and just concentrate on getting back to normal with no new surprises for awhile. Sometimes calm and a little boring is great! Thank you so much for sharing. Hugs, Tricia

[Barbara H.]

Hi Steph,
Thank you for your reply. I have been thinking about you all week. A few years aga my mother's back surgery was canceled. She was all hooked up and ready for surgery. Then a very bad car accident occurred and the surgeon was busy for the rest of the day. She had to go home and reschedule. It's difficult when these things happen. You must have been starving.

I'm pleased that everything in the end went well.

Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[Joan M]

My goodness, Stephie, what a day! They must have been saving the best for last. It all turned out well in the end and you were able to keep the port, too. And with the Plavix, your abdomenal veins may eventually clear up. Best, Joan

[Mary Jo]

Hi Steph....Thanks for updating us. I've been wondering about you, and, as always, you never fail to disappoint us with your adventures.http://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon7.gif I'm so happy your vena cava is clearhttp://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon14.gif and pray things continue to go well for you.

Love and Peace,

Mary Jo

[StephN]

Thanks, everyone for your support.

Actually I could do with a little LESS adventure on the health front!

I bumped into my onc's nurse case manager yesterday and let her know my procedure results. Her reply: "We have sure learned a lesson in your case and have those puppies pulled at the first SIGN of trouble!"
My answer was that at least they know of the doctor to take care of the clots if it is needed. (The University of Washington has a huge medical center.)

I guess since my new port was working well, they did not take the symptoms so seriously. If a port is NOT working it automatically comes out, if the TPA does not open a clotted tip. My clots were not at the tip, but along the sides of the catheter. If the tip clots in the future, that will be another story ...

Now I am looking less like someone with the puffy face from steroids. Maybe I won't be so camera shy!

P.S. I WAS getting hungry. I get cranky when I am hungry, so complained a little. The nurse practicioner said I could have a few sips of apple juice, but by then I was getting past the point of being so aware of my stomach.

[Patb]

Thanks for the update and the good news. I learn
so much from all of you on this site. I am so glad you
are ok and feeling better.
Take care
patb

[caya]

Hi Steph,

I'm glad it all turned out well for you. All the while when reading your post, I was thinking - how can they keep postponing this procedure - I mean, the girl's gotta eat!!

all the best
caya

[Becky]

Dear Steph

I just wanted to send my regards that all went well with your procedure. I have been away and quite busy (as my mother went on vacation to Mexico and returned with Legionnaire's disease). I have been lurking periodically and want to send my best.

Hugs to you

[Margerie]

I was going to say I think you have had enough excitement! I am glad everything went smoothly and that the mystery is finally solved. I vote you get to be boring for awhile.... ;)

[Jean]

Steph,
Whew, long day running on empty.
But it was all worth it ! So happy to hear
all went so well.

Enjoy!
Jean

[dhealey]

Steph, Glad things finally worked out for you. I would have probably left the hosp. I have no patience for things like that. You are a saint.

[Pam P]

Steph - What an ordeal you had. I'm glad to hear it was a successful procedure and you are doing well again. Pam

[karen z]

Steph,
So glad that everything went well and that you are through the procedure!!
Take good care.
karen z

[Laurieanne]

Hi Steph,
So happy to hear you're doing better. Have a great day!
Laurie

[tricia keegan]

I haven't been here much all week but am trying to catch up with everyone's updates today.
I was very pleased to read the procedure was sucessful but sorry it took them so long to get around to you.
Worth the wait though! Keeping good thoughts for you.

[StephN]

Thanks everyone!
God forbid it be me in that vascular intervention suite with the clotted legs!!

I would yield to another person with worse condition ...

Been on my legs a lot this week. Yesterday took our Russian historian guest to the Asian Art Museum and some other points of interest.

Take care all.

[chrisy]

Steph I'm SO glad your procedure worked so well - it's definitely been a long time coming, even before the marathon "day-of-procedure". I love how you always share everything in such detail - you make it sound like an adventure every time. Even though I KNOW these are not adventures you would choose!

Again, glad things finally are working out on that front!