I wasn’t here on Monday, since I was in the emergency room and then the hospital. (No not the veterinarian!) I went into the ER at 4 am with terrible pain in my ribs and upper back. I knew it wasn’t my heart. They just knew it was. So I had an EKG - no pain - and it was suspicious - and my BP was up. (they gave me nitro and aspirin - which didn’t help a bit - but then the Morphine was just great!)
Well, all of you know the Mookie is a little excitable. But getting to the point, they admitted me. Then they discussed me with a cardiologist - he decided to do a heart catheterization. This is the point of all this - I had one done - it is a very simple procedure, doesn’t hurt, took about 15-20 min and the hardest part was afterward - the lying with your leg outstretched for 3 hours. Don’t bend da leg…
The heart is completely clear - no abnomalities! They should go maybe a little higher and between the ears. But I was good to go home and come to work today.
My roommate was an older lady - they wanted her to take the same test - she was scared out of her gourd. She said she would do a stress test, but not one of those tests. She had too much family with her and was too upset for me to talk to her, but I would like to tell all of you - it is a snap to have done. If you do have or suspect you may have any kind of heart trouble, the cardiologist said this is the gold standard - (frankly I think it would be easier to do this than a stress test)
And the Mookie - she was having back spasms!
But good to know and to let you all know - you can’t get rid of me that easy!
So if your doctor sez to to have heart catheterization - don’t panic - it is a snap! And while he is in there, he can look for the chocolate cake!
Now, since this has to be about trains - Yep I was there on Sunday and I am so excited - I told you I was excitable - the old engineer is going with me this weekend! Just he and I to watch together.
Mookie
You were probably having back problems from bending over and seeing how many yellow thingies an engine had[8D]We are glad your ok and back in action.
stay safe
Joe and Matt
Had same procedure a couple of years ago, only they went in though the arm. Watched the whole thing on the monitors - very fascinating since I’m an advanced EMT and could read the EKG…
Second to Mookies comments - the cath is easier than the stress test. Maybe a little scarier, but easier. I also passed with flying colors.
On the other hand, never dismiss the possibility of heart disease, especially if you have the risk factors. My ‘favorite’ symptom of a heart attack is denial.
Welcome back, Sis! And if there’s any further recuperation to be done, do so obediently. I had a stress test prescribed for me earlier this year and came through that OK. I think I would have balked at what you had, at least before reading your post.
…Jen, glad you demonstrated you were ok…And I would go for Chocolate ice cream as it would melt and leave no evidence. Familiar with some of the Cardiologist’s work as the wife went through open heart surgery more than a decade ago and she’s doing rather well. Sometimes walks 6 miles a day.
That was the whole point of this posting - to let people know what I have found out - the surgeons nowdays are so careful not to hurt you - since you are a very expensive Aviator or Explorer in their driveway. So most procedures are pretty pain free and can put your mind at ease! But now that we figured out it was only back spasms - tell Mom to send money for insurance co-pay! Mook will have to take her show on the road to pay for this little experiment!
And no - I am not taking pictures to share at the family reunion of my surgery site!
I was thinkin’ things were pretty dreary here yesterday. I thought you said you were taking vacation…must have been this week, I thought…you sure weren’t here. Now we know the rest of the story. That’ll teach you…spasming your back! And at your age! ;^)
You did the right thing goin into the ER. When in doubt don’t take chances.
Glad your OK, but tell me. Why did you have to keep your leg strait for three hours?
Sooblue
I spent a night in the horse pital (lol) last January. The next day they did the nuclear medicine thing to me. After that then I had the stress test. During the fourth level I developed a leg cramp and they bearly got it stopped before I couldn’t stand up. So they decided to finish it chemically. They injected something into me. Don’t know what it was and never want it again. They did this 2 or 3 times. Whatever it was makes you feel like you have to jump up and DO SOMETHING, you don’t know what but just gotta do something. The inside rush is very uncomfortable. You fell like running faster the the locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Oh sorry, that’s superman. But you just feel like you have to do something. I had decided no more. I was ready to hit anyone who tried to give me anymore of it. Wasn’t the heart. They said the heart was fine. When the nitro doesn’t help that is a very good sign that it is not the heart. The nitro didn’t do a thing for me. And they practically starved me to death. They never did find out what the problem was but I haven’t had it again.
Now that your bad order is rescinded you have to make up the time. There has been alot of water under the bridge since last Friday afternoon, and some of it a little turbulent. But things are returning to normal. Just the regular stuff like why are GE s such dogs, and EMD build so much better. And of course do we want or need Amtrak. The last debate will continue as long as we have Amtrak. Hopefully that will be a long time. So catch up on your reading and jump back in with all four paws. No catnapping until your caught up. [;)]
No - I am from right here in Lincoln - born, raised and stayed. All relatives are from
Kansas and (shudder) Mizzuri. And if you really got to meet me, there is no one that looks just like the Mookie - they broke the mold! [8D]
They go thru the Femoral artery to the heart. (now I know where a “groin pull” is located!
Anyway, the artery needs time to clot and seal. So, the left leg can go and do anything, the right leg must stay straight and not cause any wrinkles…you can move it back and forth, just no bending. But the Mook enjoyed all the rides from bed to bed - whee!
Jim - I told them from the start that the Mookie is very sensitive - which of course, you all know. I don’t do mega doses of anything well. So they were very careful t
Now we all know you got back spasms from carrying skeets and mudchicken!!!
Ha Ha…
Just kidding, and skeets and dirtybird know exactly what I mean…
By the way, personal recommondation.
If you havent done so yet, get a flu shot.
Just spent five days flat on my back.
Worst days of my life.
Get the shot.
Stay Frosty,
Ed
[:(!] I hate it when you aren’t on here. We need your insight on things. So stay in bed, drink chicken soup and don’t lift anything heavy - and you know exactly what I mean! Please take care my friend!