Back Home from Hospital

I still can't believe that I was back home from  hospital yesterday, after having had angioplasty of the leg on Tuesday afternoon! What's even more incredible is that two days later I feel great and my leg is hardly painful after the procedure.  There's a bruise where the catheter was placed but my doctors say this will go away in a few days.

Home, Sweet Home

 

I was admitted to Aretaeion Hospital, Nicosia on Tuesday morning at 9:00 am. My doctors met Alkis and me at the reception area and led us to the 2nd floor where I had to fill in some papers. This only took a few minutes and soon afterwards I was shown to a lovely room which looked more like a hotel room than a hospital room! My doctors said the angioplasty was scheduled for 3:00 pm but they wanted to run some blood tests before the procedure. The bad news was that I wasn't allowed to drink or eat anything in between just in case something went wrong and would have to take full anaesthesia. However, they did allow me to have an espresso and a very small glass of water at the cafeteria of the hospital.

At 3:00 pm , I was taken to the operating theatre...starving to death and feeling as thirsty as never before despite the normal saline solution. The procedure took less than an hour and was 100% successful. It was completely painless and I couid even chat to the doctors! I wasn't scared at all and followed instructions obediently, such as "breathe in, breathe out, hold your breath, don't move, it's important!!!" I could even see what was happening on the computer monitor! 

For the next four hours I wasn't allowed to bend my leg or my neck, but I did manage to drink water (at last!) and some coffee. I was only given a light soup for dinner, no bread! But, I was amply rewarded in the morning with a huge breakfast which I devoured in no time! Two large slices of toast, butter and jam, ham, and cheeses, tea or coffee! I never thought hospital food can be so tasty!

I would like to thank my doctors from the bottom of my heart for the excellent job they did. Before leaving the hospital yesterday, they had to run some more tests which showed that blood flow was excellent so I don't have to take any further medication. They said I should spend time resting my leg this week but as from Monday I can go back to my normal activities without any problem! And I can go back to my favourite gym class in early September!

Last but not least, my heart goes out to all the nursing staff of Areteion Hospital who proved to be so caring, so loving, so professional and so efficient and who were always there promptly when I needed them!

Comments

[Faith]

I am so glad you are doing well. I was wondering when this procedure was happening. I have had an angioplasty at least 3 times for my heart. I was always partially "knocked out" but I also obeyed what they told me to do. I was NOT allowed to have coffee or water and the room I was in (except the first private room) was not that of a hotel and the nurses (except for my sister in law the first time) were not all that kind. HOWEVER, with the cancer surgery, I must say everyone was very nice and helpful (except for the student nurses who I asked to have removed when neither could insert a catheter into me. I believe I could have done it more easily). I love you and am so glad you are feeling well!!!! Keep doing what they tell you...and at all costs, keep the cigarettes gone. xoxo

[Christina]

It's great to see that you are back home in good health. Take good care of yourself and the time to rest and heal.

[Dr. Ayala]

Wishing you a speedy recovery, and so glad you're home and doing well.

[Anastasia]

Here health care at private hospitals is much better than at public hospitals which are often chaotic and disorganised. I was also very glad to see that my insurance has covered all expenses. Of course I follow doctors' orders, so I'm just resting at home this week. As for smoking it's past history!
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[Anastasia]

My leg was a bit itchy yesterday but today I hardly feel any pain at all. Oh yes, I'm resting and relaxing looking forward to going back to my normal activities next week.
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[Anastasia]

Thank you so much!
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[Andy]

Glad to see you were well taken care of at the hospital. Get a good rest and follow doctors orders.Hugs and kisses.

[Alexia M]

I'm so glad to seethat you're feeling well after the surgery. In my case, things were tougher because there was alot of plaque on the walls of the artery and I was quite nervous which didn't make things really easy for the doctors.

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[Anastasia]

Thanks, Andy. All the nursing staff at the hospital were amazing! They did their best to make my stay there as pleasant as possible. And they let me relax watching tv in the evening. Also cleanliness in my room was impeccable!
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[Anastasia]

I wasn't nervous at all! Just hungry and thirsty! :-) Thanks a million for the lovely card! Filakia
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[Olga P]

Πολύ χαίρομαι που όλα πήγαν καλά, γλυκειά μου. Καλή ανάρρωση και πολλά φιλιά.

[Anastasia]

Σ'ευχαριστω πολυ, Ολγα μου.
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[Karolina]

My belated get well wishes. So glad to see you are up and about again. Take care.

[Anastasia]

Thank you so much, Karolina.
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[Agnes]

So glad you're doing well Anastasia -- wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Anastasia]

Thank you so much, Agnes.
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