I've been putting off posting this, because I am tired of posting stuff on here that isn't light hearted, funny and/or in some way interesting. But, as some of you have become good buddies via the magic of cyberspace, and have been kind enough to inquire after my hubby, I decided to write about what happened on Wednesday.
The hospital said he had to be there at 8.30 am, and we got there about 8.15, due the traffic flow being unusually light for that hour of the day. We sat around for an hour, then Ken was taken into a ward of about a dozen beds, some of which were occupied by people who had just been through the test, or were waiting to be done. More waiting, during which time Ken was given the usual hospital garb to don, and asked questions by passing medical staff. About 11.30, his cardiologist Dr H. came by and winked at us, and said "Won't be long now." Another half hour, and Ken was taken off to the theatre, and I decided to go home and get some work done, as the staff said he wouldn't be discharged until late in the afternoon.
I called the hospital about 2 pm and was told Ken was in the recovery ward and I could pick him up at 4.30. I asked the nurse what the result of the tests were and she could only give me a bit of information, as Dr. H. hadn't written up the full report. Ken's heart is in bad shape, and the usual follow up for someone like him would be open heart surgery, but that can't be done on Ken because of his damaged lungs. The cardiologists have a conference on Fridays to discuss their patients, and Dr H. won't make a decision on Ken's treatment until then. It will most likely be treatment by drugs as there is nothing else they can do. Ken has a stent in one artery, but the other one is so bad, they can't insert a stent in there. On the way home, Ken confirmed what I'd been told already. Dr. H. had stopped to talk to Ken before he was discharged, and explained what he had found. He increased some of Ken's medications immediately and instructed Ken to make an appointment with his office in the next week or two.
The hospital gives strict instructions about what you can and can't do after angioplasty, and you are supposed to rest, and not walk around unless you go to the toilet. Well! Ken was just pleased to be home, and after having a snooze for an hour, he was up and walking around the house, wanting to go and see the chooks! I said NO, so he alternated between the computer and the t.v. while I did my late night supermarket shop. Usually when I get home, he is waiting to come downstairs and carry the bags up, so when I saw him at the front door ready to come down, I yelled "Don't you DARE!" He just grinned and retreated inside!
So at the moment we are in limbo. Ken can't go back to work for a week, as he isn't allowed to drive or lift anything heavy for a week, and his job involves both of those tasks. He stayed in bed for most of Thursday, and behaved himself for a change, i.e. didn't venture outside, or do anything inside that might injure himself.
At times like this I'm happy to be unemployed, as I hate leaving him all day when he's not well, or supposed to be resting. Like most males, he gets restless if he feels okay, and wants to be up and about doing useful things in the yard or the garage!