What it’s like to have a Heart Attack-Part 3
Let’s finish this sucker up, because I’ve got lots of life left to live!
After the cardiac cath, I moved to the ICU at Frederick Health Hospital. I was groggy, embarrassed (I myself was now sans underpants) and unsure of next steps. But lemme tell you this: the folks working in the ICU are the ultimate hype squad! When you arrive, there’s lots to do. I’m choosing to think of this as the VIP section of the hospital, because those folks are VERY attentive and work to make a connection. My nail polish? On point. My cooking classes? Boy, they would be fun! Need some graham crackers and peanut butter? You can have them all!
After you have a stent put in, you’re stuck in bed for about 24 hours. Like, the entire 24 hours. Now, it’s gonna get uncomfortable, but think…bedpans. Holy hell. I was not expecting that. Once I realized the situation, I tried to drink nothing and put the brakes on the graham crackers, but I had IV fluids pumpin’. Let’s just say, those nurses and assistants (of course) didn’t blink an eye. They reassured me and helped me to move through the humiliation. *sigh*
So, I did my time in the ICU (they were amazing), then moved to a regular room. Because I was working hard to be the BEST PATIENT EVER, I was low maintenance, and didn’t see the staff much here. In fact, I was so excited to be able to move about freely (ie. to the bathroom), I just kept quiet.
With COVID restrictions, you’re now allowed to have one visitor a day, but I didn’t tell anyone. Again, the “not wanting to bother anyone” issue. I also didn’t want to potentially expose anyone I know to COVID, even though the hospital is clearly very serious about keeping everyone safe. In retrospect, it would have been nice to have a familiar face there, if only for a little while. Lesson learned.
I broke out the next day, but had to meet with tons of people before I did: pharmacists, docs, a super nice guy from the cath lab, and a few others I vaguely remember. The fellow from the cath lab explained to me that I most likely had a 25-30% blockage, then on my walk, something burst (my word, not theirs…I think) and my body worked to clot, causing the 100% blockage. He said that I probably had a couple of hours (it was about 2:15) before everything went south. He was right on the money.
So where am I now? Well, I’m taking A LOT of pills (13 pills a day, including Vitamin D and Biotin (my hair is falling out)), and though I started Cardiac Rehab at the hospital, I tried to show off on the first day and worked myself into a stress test, another medication, and a second cardiac cath later this week. That’s what I get for trying for the A+. Serves me right.
This is my life now.
Now, I’m a little tired, breathe a little heavy when I’m moving around too quickly, and have to lose 60 pounds. Not to worry, I’m figuring it out. Very slooooooooowly. My cardiologist (Dr. Hitesh Patel) is amazing and not at all what I thought. I dreaded my first appointment after the heart attack, because even though I don’t smoke and I rarely drink, I’m a bit of a chunky monkey and was certain that I’d be reprimanded. Exactly the opposite happened: He was so kind that I was thrown. His bedside manner is exactly what I need, and I’m grateful to have him as my doc.
I’m looking forward to getting this all under control and feeling not just good, but better. 53 is too young to have a heart attack (any age is too young, trust me), and stress was a major factor. Once I’m cleared again (hopefully by the end of this week), I’m willing to try all the things. I’m even thinking of buying a pair of roller skates. But I’m gonna buy the pads too. 2020 has been that kinda year.
Stay well,
cvb
