Right after my cardiologist called to say my “procedure” or “intervention” or “catheterization” or “surgery” is scheduled for September 24th, about two weeks away.
Maria and I decided to play hooky and we took off after lunch and headed to Mass MoCa, the cavernous and beautiful museum in North Adams, Mass., about 90 minutes from us.
The museum had been completely re-arranged to accommodate the coronavirus, we just needed to get out of the house and see some different things.
It was pouring, but the museum had set up a big tent in the courtyard and we sat outside talking for a half-hour. Then back home to work.
I’m anxious to get this hospital visit over with. There was much debate today about whether a catheterization process is “surgery” or not. I looked it up in three different places and it is surgery.
They don’t like to call it surgery because they don’t cut people open and they don’t want to scare them. The action takes place below ground, in the vast network of arteries and veins.
I can tell you it sure felt like surgery to me. I’m doing to call it “cardiac catheter surgery,” that is as accurate as I can get.
I’m meeting with my cardiologist early tomorrow morning to go over all this, I’ve already been briefed on time, eating, etc. I’m bringing a book – “Room” by Emma Donahue and my iPhone and portable earphones.
Since it will be in Albany and I’ll only be there one night, I’m urging Maria to stay home and just come and pick me up the morning after. I’d hate for her to be driving back and forth all day. The hospital allows for very brief visits, but I’ll be doped up and drooling well into the evening.
I’m sure no one is thinking of it, but I would prefer it if there were no flowers or cards or anything else but good wishes. Those rooms are cramped enough and I don’t plan to be there long.
I’m planning to try out the bike Saturday. How interesting that I’m much more afraid of the bike than of the cardiac heart surgery. The human mind is endlessly fascinating.
I want to be careful, as any spills could endanger the procedure/a/k/an intervention.
I work that day, but I won’t see you unless something goes badly, which it won’t. Not that it matters, but we call this a procedure here at the Med, as there is a big difference between the OR and the Cath Lab. Totally different things. You have a great attitude towards this, and your heart thanks you. You’ll be back to learning your new bike soon.
Hey there, good to hear from you. I hope to stay out of the OR..I appreciate the difference…I feel good about it and fortunate…Seeing me in one of those dreadful gowns would cure you of the experience 🙂
Hi Jon,
Good wishes headed your way from MN. Enjoy this short video 🙂 It’s a classic, talk about positive attitude
– for bike riding and Life ?
“Kid Gives Speech After Learning To Ride A Bike (Original)” on YouTube
https://youtu.be/9PzoxTgfRO0
That was marvelous, Anne!
I wouldn’t worry about the exact term for what you will be going through on September 24. I would just do some breathing exercises, relax, sleep well, eat well and in no time it will be behind you. All the best to you!
Jon, you mentioned a book you are reading and I know you read a lot. Have you heard about the murders of the Osage and the “birth” of the FBI? It happened in OK. I just started reading “Killer of the Flower Moon, The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann. On the back cover: “In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, they rode in chauffeured cars and lived in mansions. Then, one by one, the Osage began to be killed. Mollie Burkhart watched as her family became a prime target. Her relatives were shot and poisoned. Other Osage were also dying under mysterious circumstances, and many of those who investigated the crimes were themselves murdered. As the death toll rose, the case was taken up by the newly created FBI. Struggling to crack the mystery, Hoover turned to a former Texas Ranger who put together an undercover team, including a Native American agent. They infiltrated this last remnant of the Wild West, and together with the Osage began to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.”
Best wishes on your surgery, Jon. Beth
Thanks Beth I remember reading that book and liking it, thanks for recommending it to people.
Hello Jon. My husband just had a cath on this past Tuesday. It was his 2nd one. They inserted another stent as he had had 2 put in the 1st time. This has really helped him as he walked today and did not experience the shortness of breath and chest pain that he had felt when he exerted himself recently. They went in through his wrist both times. A couple of days of no use of that hand but all healed up quickly. And he had both done at Albany Med. So hope all goes well for you!