vascular compressions: angiogram

The journey to Oklahoma City goes as well as a 10+ hour drive can. After our first stop in Albert Lea at their fantastic gas station, Violet declared it the best trip ever. The backseat all to herself, no siblings, both parents and her very own Caribou Coffee beverage... that is apparently what dreams are made of. She longs to be an only child, though I think she'd find it dull after too much time. 

Otis busted out of the hospital by early afternoon. He and mom got a much needed nap once they got home. Likely more needed for mom, who is a true MVP! I often get asked if she's open to adopting an adult. And I always respond that she likely would in a heartbeat. I wish I had a suite for her in our home since she seems to reside with us part-time.

Along the way I also got a call from the MN doctor who will be doing my venogram. You didn't forget about the venogram saga, did you? It's still ongoing. He says, "Are you still going to Oklahoma?!" and I respond, "Yup! On my way there right now!" ;)  After apologies and explanations it's determined that I'll be able to do the venogram the first week in April. The schedulers will call me Friday to set it up. I would like to note that I did appreciate him taking the time to call me rather than having another staff member do it. He felt that due to the situation, the least he could do was call and explain personally.

We arrive at our hotel just before 7pm. All three of us very ready to be out of the car and looking forward to FOOD! We walked Violet through the botanical garden area and to Spark! Seriously such fantastic burgers and pink fries. The pink sauce is comprised of beets, mayo, garlic, and salt. Seriously SO good! I ate cautiously, of course, but can still attest that it's good!

The next day we sleep in until 8am. I don't need to be to the clinic until 11am. I feel horrid enough that I have no desire to eat or drink anyhow. So that makes the fasting easier for me. Kerstyn researched top coffee/bakeries (w/GF treats) in OKC for me, because she's thoughtful like that. So before we go to the clinic we stop at Harvey Bakery & Kitchen so Ben and Violet can fuel up. The place is incredible. Probably the largest coffee shop I've ever been to. It has a tucked away study up on the second floor. And I'm now sitting here wondering why I didn't go up there to check it out. I guess I will talk Ben into taking me back there. We purchased a gluten-free cinnamon roll for me to intake after my procedure. I felt a little sad not being able to sip a latte while I was there. So this reinforces that a return trip is necessary.

In the upper right corner you can see windows that look into the study area.
But also,how cool is that stairway with the art deco vibe!

Morning photo from grandma and the boys!

I think I noted last time we went to OKC that the Cardiovascular Clinic is quite fancy. We hadn't even seen the procedure area that time. We made our way to my room and exclaimed a collective, "Oh wow! This is nice!". Often times rooms are quite small and there isn't room for visitors, especially more than one. That is not the case here. Violet has no issues making herself at home. And Ben is pumped that he can watch March Madness on the TV.

I get myself in my fancy gown and get situated in the bed. My body decides this seems like a good time to get a bit emotional. But as always, Ben is there comforting me and then saying something inappropriate to make me laugh. So in turn I ask him if he wants to make out quick. Humor always wins! Two nurses come in and act as a Nascar pit crew. They are working so fast I have no idea what's happening and where I'm being connected. I decide to give Antoine grief about getting my IV in and how it can be a challenge. He is awarded an imaginary medal for getting it on the FIRST try! Honestly, incredible.

We wait around for awhile until they are ready to wheel me back. Violet got a bit nervous seeing them hook me up and put my IV in. I sometimes forget that this isn't normal for people, especially small children watching their mama! I'm sure it may seem odd to some that we brought her with. But she is my shadow and does not like being away from me. She has so many questions about everything and wants to know what will be happening. We decided that meeting my surgeon may be comforting for her and she truly wanted to be there with me.

Two different nurses come in to wheel me away. It's clear they're like one big giant family here. The banter between everyone is entertaining. One of the techs in the procedure room starts picking on me for being from Minnesota and assumes I'm a Vikings fan. Someone else jumps in and says, "You don't even know if she likes football. Leave her alone." hahaha!  What makes this more funny is I'm clearly a bit compromised and unable to get a word in. Once again everyone is busy around me. Drugs are given to get me lightly sedated. And they are doing all sorts of things to my right arm, but I can't actually see any of it. Dr Warren is now in the room. They inject dye into an artery in my arm on the underside near my wrist. I didn't feel much as they prepped my arm, but I can feel the dye moving inside of me. I now want to take a nap, but the moment I decide that would be nice, Dr. Warren asks me to take a series of different inhales and exhales. This is when you can really feel the gush of the dye in my abdomen down to my pelvis. It's bizarre. As I'm doing this she is using an x-ray to view my arteries. I don't know how long this is going on for, but it feels quick. Just before they move me back to a wheelie bed, she says, 

"You have severe MALS"

Read on to Post-Angiogram

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