I truly believe people come in (and out) of our lives for specific reasons. Sometimes we never know those reasons and others we know some of the reasons. Tiffany has become a dear friend and I haven't even hugged her neck yet!! (Hoping that next weekend that will become a reality!) Not only is she a huge lover of LulaRoe like me, but in a past life she was a cardiac nurse. I've asked her to explain a catheterization (cath).
During a cardiac catheterization or a “cath” procedure a light anesthetic is given to the patient - sometimes referred to as twilight sedation. During this the patient will not remember the procedure but will be able to react the the nurses and doctors comforting them.
A small incision will be made in the groin area, near where the bend of the leg and abdomen meet. A very small guidewire in a catheter will be inserted and threaded along the main artery up to the heart. The doctors will then check the pumping function - commonly called the ejection fraction or EF - of the patient's heart and will look at the structure of all the valves and vessels. Usually a video of this is made for the physicians to refer to later.
Once that is complete, the patient’s wound is closed with surgical glue and they have to lay still for several hours. They will be woken from the twilight sedation and be allowed to eat. Movement will be restricted for a few days and activity limited but there are rarely complications to this procedure.
We will find out more specifics on what Shea will go through on the 21st. The last cath he had, there was no 'twilight'...that kid was totally out of it!!! They made him very comfortable. :) Thank you for your positive thoughts, messages, texts and phone calls. We love you dear friends and readers. Your support is just amazing.
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