Heart Cath
 

Mike is having a heart cath Wednesday afternoon. He has been having quite a bit of chest pain lately, so his cardiologist wants to do a cath that is scheduled, and not a middle of the night emergency. It's hard to get Mike to admit that he needs a cath, because sometimes it doesn't show anything, and he feels like he's wasted the doctors time. I told him it would waste my time to plan his funeral, so I would appreciate it if he would just DO IT!!;)

OK, do you know how much a heart cath costs? Not including the doctor's bill, not including if he has to have a stent (or two) and has to spend the night in the hospital. Outpatient heart cath....$18,000.00 :eek:

Oh Betsi, I'm so sorry to hear that Mike has to have another heart cath. But you are right, it's better than planning a funeral!!!:eek:

I am totally NOT surprised at an $18,000 outpatient heart cath - health care costs just boggle the mind. I think I posted (not sure though) about Gary's trip to the ER 3 weeks ago for his back. $3500 to put him on a stretcher, do one x-ray, take his vital signs ONCE, start an IV and give him IV Robaxin. THAT'S ALL THEY DID FOR $3500. Makes me so mad! Also, Gary's bill for a (fancy) pacemaker with an internal defibrillator (2 day hospital stay, 5 years ago) was over $100,000.00. I nearly died when I saw the bill.

Anyway, I hope the cath goes well and that he doesn't have to have another stent! It's too close to hunting season for his heart to be acting up! :D

Oh Gayle, that's ALL I've heard. He HAS to go bow hunting THIS weekend:eek: It makes me so mad I could spit!!! There is no reason that he can't wait. I told him he would have to go by himself, and do you know what he said to me?? "I can't believe you'd let me go by myself! What if I bleed out there in the middle of those 200 acres?" I think a man is just as stupid at deer season as a buck is when he's rutting:rolleyes:

Uhhhh, tell him the last time Gary had a heart cath, he started bleeding 5 days after the cath. I couldn't get it stopped and we had to go to the ER. I know EXACTLY what you mean by "being so mad you could spit". It's like they lose their sense (if they ever had any). The other day Gary told me he was thinking of getting a kayak - WHAT :eek: - he could no more handle a kayak than wrestle an elephant. Well I guess he COULD wrestle an elephant, but we both know what would happen and that is the same thing that would happen if he got into a kayak.

What is wrong with these guys. I KNOW hunting and fishing is important - but give us a BREAK here! And yes, they are as goofy as deer in rut! LOL!

They will just "Freeze your eyeballs!"

They are both spoiled brats! How lucky these two men are to have you two as wives. You are both so wonderful. I know you're angry, but it is inspiring.

I hope all goes well with Mike's heart cath Betsi.

I agree with Judy..your husbands are very lucky to have you 2! You girls are wonderful!:)

I'm sorry that you girls have to worry so about your husband's health. I know that it's a big worry for each of you to keep your husband's healthy. I'd feel like whopping them upside the head with a 2 by 4 for wanting to go hunting when they're having health problems!!!

I really hope they both can continue to do the things they love.....they just have to take some extra care. How dull life would be if we had to give up all our favorite things and activities.

You are right Janet. They would die if they couldn't do what they love. It feeds their soul and they need it. But they must use some common sense or else they drive us CRAZY!

Betsi, let us know how Mike did and what they found.

Mike's heart cath went well. No blockages to be fixed. Only blockages in the tiny branch arteries that come off the big ones, and there's nothing that can be done about those. But they do spasm from time to time, causing different degrees of pain. The docs stopped doing stress tests on Mike years ago because they NEVER showed anything, so he has to have a cath if there is any question. He is spending the night in the hospital, and will come home in the morning. Thanks everybody!

Whoo Hooo! Mike's OK, but probably pissed that he had to have the cath when nothing is wrong, but relieved that nothing is wrong. Is that an oxymoron? :D

Nevertheless, I'm so glad that no further intervention is needed! And you tell him that with hearts, you can NEVER be too careful!

Yay!!! Glad to read Mike is okay.

I'm glad to hear that everything's alright with Mike too!!!!

So glad to hear that Mike had no blockages that needed fixing! That's great news Betsi!:)