Angiograms and anticipation

A month after my very first visit to the doctor regarding my symptoms, I had my first meeting with my neurosurgeon, Dr. B.

This appointment was very straightforward, and gave me a clear understanding of what may or may not lie ahead. I was told that my health, age and non-bleeding AVM put me at an advantage compared to many. He told me surgery was very likely to happen within the next few months. Unfortunately, this did not mean they were done evaluating my condition, and I learned the next step was an angiogram.

On Friday, Nov. 2, I had my angiogram, something I was very very anxious about. I had never been admitted to a hospital in my life and for once, I did not known how to prepare for something. Of course, I had been given instructions and information about the procedure from the radiology clinic that would be working with me, but I still felt clueless.

The basic explanation was that they'd put a catheter in my groin, which would then flush contrast into my veins to show where the AVM all connected to. I'd also have to lay flat for several HOURS afterward. Oh, I'd also be awake through the whole thing - GOODY!

The morning of, I got up early after an almost sleepless night to take my second antibacterial shower. I could not eat or drink, which was something I was grateful for by the time we made it to the hospital in Neenah; I was so nervous! Of course the staff was welcoming and anxiety reducing, and before I knew it, I was saying my "see you soons" to my even more worried parents.

I'll never forget the coldness of the special operation room or the laughter of the medical staff when I asked them to play The Beatles before the medication kicked in, leaving me awake, but a lot less aware. Afterwards, I was told that the procedure took over an hour, but I swear I was only in that cold room for maybe 30 minutes. Laying flat was not as bad as I expected, as my hip area was extremely sore, something I didn’t expect. By 2, I was more than ready to get home to my dog Willow for the weekend.

After resting and remaining very sore, the waiting game continued as I waited for my results.