As the x-ray had shown nodules in my lung, it was deemed
advisable I get a PPT tuberculosis test. The tech gave it
to me right into a smallish vein, which subsequently
became useless for any IV purpose. (I watched anxiously for
the swelling that denotes a positive test: three days later
I was deemed clean. This makes one wonder what the things
are - the word is that they are probably scarring from an
old infection.)
The resident was puzzled by the catheter and asked me if I
knew why it had been put in. I said I had been wondering
the same thing. He ordered for it to be pulled, a good
thing as it had started to leak badly. On extraction, there
was some bleeding, which I decided to report when it didn't
go away after a day. Wrong.
The absence of catheter made this day's cardiac ultrasound
easier. I was allowed to peek for most of the procedure -
looking at that poor old used-up heart struggling was
fascinating and a little horrifying.
Levaquin was prescribed to treat and/or prevent pneumonia.
Thursday
I believe this was the day that the hot water in the shower
wasn't working. It's irritating to have to take a cold
shower.
By today the routine had become established. 4 blood
sugars, 2 CBCs, 4 vitals, 2 doctor visits, 3 very scanty
meals, many little annoyances, much waiting.
The cardio came, a rather glam blonde with big credentials.
We discussed the ins and outs of my simple but dire case.
The big news was that my ejection fraction was 16. I've
admitted to being a bit out of shape, but that's ridiculous.
She recommended bypass, stents a second choice, followed by
an implanted defibrillator (bad for cooks, athletes, air
travelers, electronics users). We sort of agreed on stents
and a somewhat more aggressive drug regimen than I had
wanted (sorry, girls).
Denied diet ginger ale by the dietician! probably because
I was on fluid restriction. What's the point? I just asked
the nurse and got all the soft drinks I wanted.
As I was NPO after midnight, I ordered a late snack of
peanut butter on whole wheat and an orange. Food never
was more welcome.
Friday
Cath lab. I was hoping for stents, but they didn't place any
- just took a bunch of pictures, which were read immediately
- 2 of 3 old stents were clogged, and it remained unclear
whether to repair the old connections, restent elsewhere, or
do some variety of open-chest.
This day: one set of blood work missing (evidence: empty
tubes found later on the bureau); an EKG missing (evidence:
the doc who ordered it couldn't find it in my chart); dinner
missing (evidence: stomach rumbles). All of these were
eventually remedied.
Liver and kidneys reported normal, which might come as a
surprise to those who look askance at my alcohol intake.
Saturday
Waiting. Visitors are good.
Sunday
Denied diet ginger ale again, but I could get orange juice,
perhaps because this is listed in a different category
than "beverages," all of which seem to be forbidden.
Waiting. Visitors are good.
The WillDo people called. Calls are good.
They let me have ice cream, despite my being on "NO Milk to
Drink" and fluid restriction. Whatever.
Monday
Hoping for stents, and when lunch didn't come out, my hopes
took a rise. It turns out they'd just forgotten my lunch,
and it came out later. I'd asked for vanilla ice cream and
strawberries with my burger no bun - as before, this
appeared as a burger with bun. The ice cream and berries
were just fine.
They gave me an ultrasound of my bladder and kidneys
because I'd reported the blood, either that or because I
have health insurance. It came back clean.
Tuesday
The cardiologist finally came by again, having talked with
the interventionist the day before. She gave me the option
of having my stents placed Wednesday by her second choice
doctor or Thursday by her first choice doctor, who she said
had taken a lot of time over my films. Therefore: