Page 24 - Seniorstoday March 2022 Issue

in the wrist and inserting of catheter is ‘Ready sir’
already in place; a six-inch needle is gently
pierced into your artery, for which you will
only feel a slight prick.
REMEMBER—do not look at anything that
is going on, surrendering to the unknown is
the best way out.
This image is a representation
The sharp, loud crystal clear commands of
the surgeon, will give you a feeling of calm
and confidence.
‘Ready’
‘Let’s start’
‘Show me down’
‘That’s excellent’
‘What is your name?’
‘Akash’
‘Nobody has shown me down this perfectly,
I am pleased with you.’
(the showing of the heart from different
angles)
‘Give four tablets’
‘Vinita start crunching on the tablets,
crunch, crunch and swallow, good’ (sedation
medication)
‘Now give three more, crunch, sip more
water, swallow, excellent’
‘We are sedating you, you will not feel a
thing, just close your eyes, you need to do
nothing, it will be over soon.’
(All of this I hear in the background while I
keep my eyes shut)
‘Ready for shoot, move I c, 11,12,13,14, go up,
ready for shoot’
‘Ready sir’
24
‘Shoot’
‘Excellent’
‘Now do you see this, it’s a bend, no
problem, the wire will find its way, a little
difficult, but it’s ok, let’s go’
‘Go to 14-15-16’
‘Ready for shoot’
‘Ready sir’
‘Ready sir’
‘Shoot’
‘Do you see how it found the way, it’s all
good.’
‘Almost done, check, show 1C, move left,
up, a bit down’
‘All clear’
‘Done.’
‘Ok Vinita, all done, all successful, they
will now remove the catheter, stay still, you
will feel a pulling sensation, just take deep
breaths and relax.’
This is the only part that caused pain, as
they pull out the catheter, centimeter by
centimeter you feel a pulling sensation it
has to be done really slowly with multiple
breaks to prevent the artery from going into
a spasm, though it takes no more than two
minutes in all, it feels like eternity.
‘Four centimeters to go, now three, two and
it’s done.’
The incision is padded and taped,
‘Keep your arm bent and lay it on your chest
for the next couple of hours.’
Within a few minutes you are on your way
to a new environment of friendly smiling
nurses welcoming you to the ICU to be
hooked up 24/7 to monitors.
Remember— you can change the monitor
cap from finger to finger, hand to hand to
feel comfortable.
If there is one thing hospital ICUs’ don’t let
you do, it’s sleep, always carry along an eye
mask and ear plugs for some shut eye as day