Froggy

The procedure faced on Tuesday morning is called Angioplasty. This is a procedure where the doctor inserts little stainless steel tunnels (stents) in the arteries where there is blockage. The stents are then expanded to widen the walls by inflating balloons inside them. It is a delicate procedure. The work is completed by manipulating the stents and balloons from an incision in the groin while watching the work on an overhead monitor. It is truly remarkable.

Early that morning they awakened me for the journey from Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, GA to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta for the Angioplasty (about 15 miles). Ironically, the EMT's that came to get me for the ambulance ride were the same two guys that had brought me in early Saturday morning. Boy what a lift that was. After not sleeping too well from wondering what the day might bring seeing these two guys really got me going. They told me they were pleased to see me looking better although we all realized there was still quite a bit of uncertainty.

The ride was uneventful and before long, we arrived at Piedmont. They rolled me into an arrival area and transferred me to the hospital gurney for admittance. Things were ok but still feeling a little down when they left. They returned to Kennestone Hospital to pick up another patient for Piedmont and both acknowledged me when they returned. Another lift for my spirits.

After a while, they wheeled me into the procedure room for the Angioplasty to begin. This room felt chilled; but maybe because of seeing the EMT's or maybe because of my promise, again, the chill felt refreshing. I was ready for anything.

This time there was a young man there to assist with the procedure and the aura of the room was one of excited anticipation. Something extraordinary was about to begin. He gave me a sedative to keep me relaxed during the procedure and explained that probably only parts of it would be remembered. Soon my doctor arrived and after explaining a few things to me about my breathing and need to remain still, he began.

What happened next was the most remarkable experience that this guy ever had the privilege to enjoy. There was a slight sting in my groin as the doctor numbed it and as he made the incision, I no longer felt a thing. He started with that artery with the 70% blockage. While watching on the monitor, the artery seemed to come alive as the stent was successfully implanted. While not actually feeling the stent, one could almost feel the surge of blood through the newly opened artery. The room seemed to raise in support of the accomplishment. Suddenly,  I seem to remember almost blurting out, "Great job, Doctor! Now how about Froggy? You ready to try him?"

Sure enough, as if he read my mind, he was soon implanting two more stints in the artery with the three blockages and the clot (Froggy). There was a sudden rush or flash in my heart and when I asked what it might be, the doctor told me he had just squirted something to dissolve the clot. Looking again, Froggy appeared vitally alive and I could really feel the heart now pumping as well as ever. In fact, it seemed to be even better than before the Heart Attack occurred just three days earlier. Better than it had been as far back as one can remember, maybe even 20 years or more. Things felt great. I was tired, but pretty darn good given the circumstances.

The doctor came over to me and as our eyes met, there was a desire to jump up and slap high five or something. It was so exhilarating realizing that he had succeeded, you cannot imagine how grateful the feelings were. "Way to go, Doctor! Way to Go!"