Gulp!

One more large step for 'Debbiekind' and a little bit of a scary one at that, as when I walked into the Angiogram unit, it wasn't what I expected at all.
Does this sound daft when it looked very much like a hospital ward and not the clinic which I thought it would look like?.
I can imagine my feet feeling like deep sea divers boots come the actual day, in fact Oliver may have to throw me over his shoulder to get me in there at all.

Blimey I wasn't anticipating to feel that nervous on first glance, but luckily I had Julie beside me and a very happy nice nurse called Siobhan to meet me and talk me through all my concerns.
Luckily she didn't tut at my creamy rather than white underwear which I ruined on my first wash from putting the set in a too hot wash, but at least I'm consistent and both bra and knickers got the boil treatment.
I think that broke down barriers!

She answered all my concerns with no qualms and no looking at me as if I was a simpleton.
These worries were basically if I cough would the tubing shoot through my heart and puncture it?... that was a huge concern of mine.
What happens if I do cough and can I cough?... As long as I let them know that I feel a cough coming on, I can cough as much as I like but I can't lift my hand to cover my mouth, I can live with that too, although they may have to wear face shields and plastic sheeting if my cough is a bit gunky!
I will be raised up a little as soon as possible to make it easier for me to breathe after the procedure and the hole in my groin area will probably be plugged, so I'll be able to clear my lungs when I need to without any fear of me bleeding to death from the strain.
They will also up my oxygen intake, as apparently your lungs don't take in as much oxygen when you are lying down. I will have to wear a mask rather than nose specs though, but that's only for half an hour, so I can live with that.
Though I do feel claustrophobic in a mask.

She went through every detail for me explaining what I will feel and when. From the hot flushes as the dye goes into your heart to the sensation of wetting yourself when they inject through your grion.
That might not be a sensation actually.
If I am scared, she will be there and according to her they are a fab team and they have never lost a patient yet. When I laughed and said 'ah well if I break the chain, at least that would be one hell of a talking point at your next party!'
... I earned myself a slapped wrist from her and Julie for that joke.
After another ECG, swabs and blood tests, I was free to go home with a freebie bottle of special antibacterial shower wash to use daily on my hair and body until D Day and it will keep me free of germs.
I loved the little diagram that shows you how to shower and the finishing picture is you with clean clothes on!
Also I have to drink lots of water to protect my kidneys from the dye that they inject into my arteries.
But they told Julie or whoever is looking after me at the time, if they are worried in any way, to call them direct and they will always be a friendly voice and I believe them.

I am smiling now, but I have no idea how I will feel the night before the grim event. I shouldn't imagine that I will get much sleep and I am sure that Siobhan will see a very different woman from the chatty, happy, come what may person that she met today.
This one will be ashen face and woddling down the corridor with one of Julie's Tena Ladies thrust in my drawers in case I really do wee myself on the bed.
I'm betting money that I will wet myself through fear alone!

Lots of love Debbie x