Doctor Patel gently and skillfully, threads a very fine wire in to the plastic sheath and guides it through Ronnie’s Femoral Artery. As the wire approaches Ronnie’s Aorta the thin dark line of the wire, becomes visible within the Arteries on the screen.
Nervously, as if by its own intelligence-the end of the wire probed for the opening within Circumflex Artery, with a few twists, from his hand Doctor Patel, steers the wire slowly towards the offending obstruction.
“Ok Ronnie we have found the problem- there is a small blockage in one of your Arteries which is causing the pain in your chest” Doctor Patel said.
“We are going to open up the blockage in a few minutes and ease the pain” Doctor Patel added
Once the wire was in place, Doctor Patel carefully threaded a thin hollow catheter over the end of the remaining wire in his hand, and guided this though, in the direction of the blockage.
He continued to push the catheter down this guide wire until it came to the site of the first blockage.
Doctor Willard then proceeded to attach a small handheld pump on to the other end of the catheter, being held by Doctor Patel.
“Ok Ronnie, we are going to treat the blockage now - you may feel a little pressure in your chest - just for a few seconds” Doctor Willard announced.
As Doctor Willard slowly turned a small plastic wheel held in his hand , a small dark shaped image, began to appear in the centre of the Circumflex Artery, a balloon had begun to inflate on the end of the Catheter, before Doctor Willard released the pressure, Ronnie could feel a slight build up of pain, somewhere deep within his chest.
As the balloon was slowly deflated, the obstruction had gone, leaving the flow through the Circumflex fully restored.
The catheter was now removed and replaced with a similar looking wire, but this one had a “Stent” a small expandable tube of wire, held in place over the balloon
Gently Doctor Patel, positioned the new balloon holding the Stent, over the original blockage site, again he warned Ronnie to expect some chest pain. Using the pump they slowly raised the pressure in the balloon and the Stent began to unfold, like the wings of an emerging butterfly.
When both Doctors were satisfied that the stent had fully deployed in to the walls of the Artery, they removed the catheter and deflated balloon.
“Ok Ronnie- all finished and all sorted Doctor Willard Judged
When all the lights came back on, the pain in Ronnie’s chest had all but disappeared and he began to think more positively, one of the nurses came over and squeezed his hand and offered to make him a cuppa tea once he was back in recovery.
As they wheeled Ronnie out towards the recovery ward, both the Doctors set about detailing his treatment and recommending to his General Practitioner, in a dictated letter, that he stay on Antiplatelet therapy for at least twelve months.
Helen, Mary and her other daughter Clare all sat outside in a reception area, all very anxious and eagerly awaiting for news on Ronnie’s condition.
“Mrs. Jackson, I have just come from the Cath Lab where Ronnie was treated, everything went well and you can See Ronnie in a few minutes” Anne Hopkins said reassuringly.
“Thank you” Helen said before her mother could answer
They all held hands and smiled with relief
Ronnie was transferred to a bed in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) and was hooked up to a drip and ECG monitor. A nurse on the unit made him comfortable and suggested a little rest, before seeing his family
“Have they fixed my Heart” he said before she could turn for the door
“Yes I think they have Mr. Jackson” she replied
The Doctors will be along shortly to explain everything” the Nurse added
Doctor Willard had been informed by Anne Hopkins that Ronnie’s family was sat in reception.
He quietly made his way down the corridor checking his notes.
He introduced himself and went on to explain what they found and how they had treated Ronnie’s condition. He wasn’t expecting any complications, but nothing can be ruled out, until things settle down he said. Ronnie is likely to be with us for the week
Helen listened to the Doctor, but silently noted the walls were full of posters, showing the anatomy of the Heart. Must be there to answer the many questions, people have she thought.
Funny how you don’t notice them, when you first arrive.
After the Doctor had left, Helen sensed that the tension in Mary had eased and suggested they all get a cup of coffee down at the hospital café. Clare had been tasked, with calling up and passing on all the news, to the rest of the family, while Helen continued to reassure Mary
It had been a long day and as Ronnie sat upright in bed reflecting on events, with his family sat at his bedside, he quietly smiled to himself.
“You are going to cut down on those nights out down at the Pub and lose a bit of weight Ronnie Jackson” Mary urged
“Scaring me like that” she added
“Now mum don’t go upsetting him” Helen said in Ronnie’s defense
“Doctors said I have to stay here till Friday” Ronnie Replied
They sat and talked for nearly an hour when suddenly a nurse appeared and reminded the family it was time for Ronnie’s rest.
Ronnie Jackson spent the rest of the week recovering during his five days in hospital. He enjoyed all the fuss from his family and got to thank all the Nurses, Doctors and Para Medics, involved in his treatment.
He went on to enjoy a full recovery.
With all the advice he received from both the Hospital and his dear wife Mary, he spent his remaining years spoiling his grand children, Emily, Eva and Samuel
The End
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