MrSelfDestruct's Fotothing

Rumours of my death have been geatly exaggerated.

However, I did have a heart attack on Thursday, May 12th. Here's me on Saturday, May 14th upon my return from the hospital.

I had already removed about a dozen of the EKG electrode plugs. These were the ones that I think might be the toughest to remove.

I went in the hospital because I thought I was having a back spasm. The hospital cardiologists thought I was going to die like John Ritter with an Aortic Dissection.

I had a heart Arterial Angioplasty and Stent Placement. A balloon tipped catheter was inserted through my femoral artery near my crotch. Then it was snaked up through my body into the cardio artery and guided under x-ray to a blocked LAD artery feeding my heart. That's the BIG artery that feeds blood and oxygen to the heart.

I didn't feel ANYthing while this was happening. I watched it on tv.

The little balloon was inflated to disrupt the blockage in the vessel pressing plaque against the vessel wall and enabling blood flow.

Then a metal "stent" mounted on the balloon tipped catheter was expanded. It's basically a metal lattice that looks like one of those expandable toy finger traps. It opens and permanently adheres to the walls of the big artert that feed my heart, keeping it open and keeping my heart goiing stronger. The catheter was then removed.

Don't think I am smirking because I am not. I am smiling because I am thankful to be alive. It was really close!

If this was 20 years ago I would be in the hospital with my chest healing from a massive surgical session.

The flowers looked prettier today.