Under the Knife

[realthog]

 
On Tuesday I'm to have an angiogram/cardiac catheterization. As far as I can gather -- me, the ever-courageous male an' all -- this involves ripping apart my groin with a chain saw and then jackhammering a probe about the size of a rolling pin up through my circulatory system, shredding soft tissue as it goes, until it can take a photograph of my heart. Pam says it's a tad less traumatic than this, but then it's not her groin. All this so my cardiologist has something he can post on Facebook.

I don't imagine I'll be merrily hopping astride a stolen Harley to get home from the hospital. Indeed, it may well be that I require a year or two of convalescence, not to mention extensive counselling; I plan to take plenty of books with me. Assuming I actually make it home on Tuesday -- as all these Other, Totally Unsympathetic People say I should -- well, I expect major-league tributes to my general all-fired heroism and traditional British pluck.

(Hm. The last time I had my groin ripped apart must have been the early '70s or so. But apparently my insurance company refuses to cover cold ravioli and live marmosets.)

(What I'm really, really hoping to be able to do is get to the book party whose details you can find at http://al-zorra.livejournal.com/305706.html.)

 

Comments

[quilterbear.livejournal.com]

My firend, I will be thinking of you throughout Tuesday, and yes, Wednesday too. I am very much like you in that I despise medical procedures. Thus, you can understand my tortured life since I have had many surgeries and many, many procedures! I can understand your anxiety, but you will be ever so grateful when the anesthesiologist gives you that great drug that will take away alllllll your worries and cares!

You're in my prayers and thoughts. You've got a lot of people here who care about you, and we'll all be waiting for the good report. So don't be idle! post when you can, dang it!

[quilterbear.livejournal.com]

By the way, the book party link is inaccessible to such peons as me. Must be friends only. Sigh.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"Must be friends only."

Oh, you're right -- I hadn't spotted this. The party's in NYC to celebrate Ned Sublette's book The World that Made New Orleans.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the kind wishes, K!

"you will be ever so grateful when the anesthesiologist gives you that great drug that will take away alllllll your worries and cares"

In fact, they do it under just a local. A main job of mine is going to be to get the medical staff to desist from their enthusiastic suggestions I watch my own innards on a tv screen.

[hutch0.livejournal.com]

You'd really know about it if they tried to stick an angiosperm, er, ahem, there...

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

Angiosperm? What's an angiosperm? The docs aren't neutering you, too, are they?

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Angiosperm? What's an angiosperm? The docs aren't neutering you, too, are they?

Just before you panic on my behalf, check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiosperm

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

Ah, come on...play along with my "dumb blond" act, will ya? ;D

[realthog.livejournal.com]

As in "The name is Blond, James Blond"?

x

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"Seriously, best wishes tomorrow, Paul."

Your best wishes are very much appreciated, J. Many thanks for them!

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Mind you, you'd be hard pressed to match Pam's achievements in being Differently Tactful.

I went into the living room this evening and discovered she was watching on TV the Jean Reno movie Crimson Rivers . . .

[quilterbear.livejournal.com]

And of course I meant "friend" not "firend"

No, you will have some good stuff when you have the procedure done. I have had several such procedures (though not THAT one) and the stuff they give you to relax you and have you almost "out" is really pleasant. REALLY pleasant.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"the stuff they give you to relax you and have you almost "out" is really pleasant. REALLY pleasant."

So I have been told, but apparently they don't routinely administer it in this part of the world for this particular procedure, according to my pal Randy (who had an angiogram a few years back) and to the cardiologist: one's kept alert throughout so as all the better to enjoy the TV show. Of course, I may discover otherwise tomorrow.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

I hope all went well today and that you are comfortable, or as comfortable as may be.

Love, C.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

Hi -- I just dropped by to see if there was any follow-up re Paul's procedure today (Tuesday), and saw your comment.

The party's open to anyone interested in New Orleans and / or Ned.

Ned will probably be doing a little talk, play a little guitar while singing a couple of his songs. Books will be available for sale. But if you're not interest in NO and music this may not be the most fun you ever had!

[ thursday, may 8 / brecht forum, nyc / 451 west street (between bank & bethune) / 7:30 ]

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

As soon as you can get your funky bad self on the computer again, let us know how you are doing, Paul -- okay?

Hope all is well and you're back home, recovering nicely!

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Just home. All well. More tomorrow.

Love - P.

[quilterbear.livejournal.com]

Alas I live in the Appalachian Mountains of SW Virginia, so it wasn't an option. But thanks so much for sharing the info anyway! I appreciate it! How did it go?

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

Paul and Pam were there, so it went fabulously!

Thank you for asking.

That Paul came at all, considering the mess our region was in terms of air quality, the traffic messes because many reasons including protests against a bad non-juried trial that acquitted all the cops in question of all charges of killing a non-armed, non-criminal act black man on the eve of his wedding, as he was going home from his bachelor party, and Paul recovering from his ordeal -- that they were present was a true blessing on the event on their part.

I met the music director of The Wire ... who also autographed The Wire's cd for me. I nearly swooned, and I never do that -- not even when I encounter in very personal ways people of the ilk of Bob Dylan. But I am such an admirer of The Wire.

Love, C.