We got up shortly after 6 this morning to allow time for Bible study, getting dressed and me to eat.
Abnormal results showed up on a stress test Jim had last week, so a heart catherization was scheduled for July 23 -- and that's today! 10:30 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Dr. Hajj (pronounced Hodge) from PCI Cardiology will do the honors. We're leaving the house at 8 for an 8:30 arrival.
We pray there is no blockage, but only God knows for sure, and He's not telling at the moment.
Your prayers are appreciated.
Will update later.
My devotional reading was from John 8:12 --
"Jesus spoke, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life."
My writings --
Jesus is the Light of the world
When I became a child of the King
His Presence - as the Holy Spirit
came to live within me
and I His Light-bearer
brightening up the world around me
reflecting His glorious Presence
within me
to you.
(c) Cathy Orrick Luders)
The procedure was delayed by 1 1/2 hours - there was an emergency so the catherization wasn't started until noon. It lasted 45 minutes and there were no blockages! Praise the Lord!
I had this feeling there would be no blockage, that this was a test. I'm sure patience and trust are definitely two things we are both to learn. I tend to think God will bring other tests and He, who is far more patient with us than we are with ourselves, will bring us through each difficulty with more of Him reflecting in us. I am thankful He never fails, never gives up on us.
Before the procedure was started, his blood pressure and weight were taken. BP was of course low - 95/52, but his weight -- he gained a pound! He's on the upward swing at 130.5.
An IV was started (took forever to find a vein) in his left hand/wrist area. Early on Jim was told he could leave on his underwear and socks. But somewhere along the way, it was determined he should have taken off his undershirt. Getting it off after you have IV tubes, etc., attached, is rather tricky.
Pastor Dan arrived at 11:15 - wasn't that a miracle! To come late, but just in time. Jim's sister, Dianne, called shortly before noon, but of course, Jim was just about to head down the hall to the OR.
For the procedure itself, a catheter was inserted into his right wrist (incision was the size of a pin). Contrast dye was injected through the catheter so that X-ray videos of his valves, coronary arteries and heart chambers could be created and the doctor could see how well the heart was working. Jim was not knocked out for the procedure, just the area the doctor was working on. It was amazing to see Jim conscious and talking.
After the procedure, but still in the OR, an inflation/deflation band was placed over his wrist -- the band holds pressure on the incision site so it doesn't bleed. Once he was back in his room, air was removed from it every few minutes until the band was eventually removed (2:15 p.m.).
Once the band was taken off (he could theoretically leave the hospital an hour later), an immobilizer was put on. It has to stay on at least 6 hours, but he could leave it on overnight, or he could leave it on all 5 days. He has elected to leave it on at least overnight and perhaps longer, because it reminds him of what he shouldn't do - no bending or twisting of wrist, no using his hand to get up, etc. He can't even use the cane in his right hand.
Dr. Hajj said Jim had the heart of an 18-year-old. How nice to have some part that is young! No blockages, everything is fine. He said about 10 percent of the time the abnormal readings showing on stress tests are wrong.
He said Jim could not lift anything over a gallon of milk (about 10 pounds) for 5 days.
He can resume taking the Coumadin tonight -- he would still like to get off this medicine. He has follow-up appointment with Dr. Li at the end of August, so perhaps his concerns can be addressed then.
The Nassif Heart Center provided heart-healthy sack lunches for both of us around 1:30 p.m. and Jim was released from the hospital at 4 p.m.
Abnormal results showed up on a stress test Jim had last week, so a heart catherization was scheduled for July 23 -- and that's today! 10:30 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Dr. Hajj (pronounced Hodge) from PCI Cardiology will do the honors. We're leaving the house at 8 for an 8:30 arrival.
We pray there is no blockage, but only God knows for sure, and He's not telling at the moment.
Your prayers are appreciated.
Will update later.
My devotional reading was from John 8:12 --
"Jesus spoke, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life."
My writings --
Jesus is the Light of the world
When I became a child of the King
His Presence - as the Holy Spirit
came to live within me
and I His Light-bearer
brightening up the world around me
reflecting His glorious Presence
within me
to you.
(c) Cathy Orrick Luders)
The procedure was delayed by 1 1/2 hours - there was an emergency so the catherization wasn't started until noon. It lasted 45 minutes and there were no blockages! Praise the Lord!
I had this feeling there would be no blockage, that this was a test. I'm sure patience and trust are definitely two things we are both to learn. I tend to think God will bring other tests and He, who is far more patient with us than we are with ourselves, will bring us through each difficulty with more of Him reflecting in us. I am thankful He never fails, never gives up on us.
Before the procedure was started, his blood pressure and weight were taken. BP was of course low - 95/52, but his weight -- he gained a pound! He's on the upward swing at 130.5.
An IV was started (took forever to find a vein) in his left hand/wrist area. Early on Jim was told he could leave on his underwear and socks. But somewhere along the way, it was determined he should have taken off his undershirt. Getting it off after you have IV tubes, etc., attached, is rather tricky.
Pastor Dan arrived at 11:15 - wasn't that a miracle! To come late, but just in time. Jim's sister, Dianne, called shortly before noon, but of course, Jim was just about to head down the hall to the OR.
For the procedure itself, a catheter was inserted into his right wrist (incision was the size of a pin). Contrast dye was injected through the catheter so that X-ray videos of his valves, coronary arteries and heart chambers could be created and the doctor could see how well the heart was working. Jim was not knocked out for the procedure, just the area the doctor was working on. It was amazing to see Jim conscious and talking.
After the procedure, but still in the OR, an inflation/deflation band was placed over his wrist -- the band holds pressure on the incision site so it doesn't bleed. Once he was back in his room, air was removed from it every few minutes until the band was eventually removed (2:15 p.m.).
Once the band was taken off (he could theoretically leave the hospital an hour later), an immobilizer was put on. It has to stay on at least 6 hours, but he could leave it on overnight, or he could leave it on all 5 days. He has elected to leave it on at least overnight and perhaps longer, because it reminds him of what he shouldn't do - no bending or twisting of wrist, no using his hand to get up, etc. He can't even use the cane in his right hand.
Dr. Hajj said Jim had the heart of an 18-year-old. How nice to have some part that is young! No blockages, everything is fine. He said about 10 percent of the time the abnormal readings showing on stress tests are wrong.
He said Jim could not lift anything over a gallon of milk (about 10 pounds) for 5 days.
He can resume taking the Coumadin tonight -- he would still like to get off this medicine. He has follow-up appointment with Dr. Li at the end of August, so perhaps his concerns can be addressed then.
The Nassif Heart Center provided heart-healthy sack lunches for both of us around 1:30 p.m. and Jim was released from the hospital at 4 p.m.
