No Operation Today

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Remember that operation I was supposed to have today? We cancelled the reservation and sent the band home. I had a substitute procedure instead.

My stress test hinted at a blockage in an artery. An angiogram is how you find out.

Be here at 12:30 they said. I was ushered in somewhere around 2:00. It didn’t take long to see there was a blockage.

I know. I watched. The whole process is done in ‘twilight’ under the influence of Fentanyl.

At this point the angiogram becomes angioplasty.

An angioplasty is pretty simple. A tube is inserted in your wrist then snaked toward the heart. At the site of the narrowing a balloon is inflated then a stent (a small mesh tube) put in place. A stent acts like the bracing construction crews use in trenches. It keeps the sides from moving in.

OK — maybe not that simple.

An angioplasty also requires a night in the hospital. I went in feeling perfect. I fell asleep with IVs in both hands, an oxygen sensor taped to my finger, EKG probes and a splint holding my right wrist rigid.

It was a night full of guest appearances. Nurses and aides came and went. A little blood. A few blood pressure checks. At one point a scale was wheeled in! I was weighed at 4:00 am.

My cardiologist came to check on me (and her work) this morning. She is of Indian descent, but definitely raised here. Think of Michael Douglas’ attorney in the movie “Disclosure.”

Next came an internist. I think he’s the hospital’s guy for people like me. He walked in the room already knowing I’d be going home. He reread the cardiologist’s instructions to me.

So, here I am, back home. I’m already on a new pill and rescheduled for my Whipple, September 27.

Tonight Cousins Michael, Melissa and Max came by. My sister and brother-in-law are in from Milwaukee. Our daughter came down from Hollywood.

Helaine put out an amazing spread of cold cuts and deli goodies. Family and food. It was wonderful. I wish it was for a better reason.

20 thoughts on “No Operation Today”

  1. So sorry for the delay. I imagine you are a realist-kind-of-guy who, when he is apprised of a situation, wants to deal with it and get it over and done with.

    Patience is a virtue that not all of us have. I’m praying that your stockpile of patience gets topped off in the next day or two.

  2. Prayers answered–#1 procedure done. You look good. A bit leaner, as you had referred to a week or so, ago. Your hair seems to have thinned some too—-part of the process or age related?. I was hoping we would have some indication as to how things went ===like I said last night, better finding the heart problem out prior to Whipple. You’ll have better oxygenation to get you through the healing process. Enjoy having your family there with you—celebrate the love—
    Barb
    PS–what do I do with a “sticking” remote mouse–I changed the batteries and that didn’t help??? Thank you Mr Tech. Guy!

  3. Geoff, sometimes things happen for reasons we don’t know, but placing stents before a surgery is good medicine. You med-surg team sounds A#1. Psyche yourself up that this an opportunity to gain strength, enjoy that wonderful family of yours, and get ready to do battle with stupid cancer. And get Vitamin C for a speedy recovery! ❤️ Evi

  4. Geoff, wishing you the very best from Woodmont!.
    Hoping that your care at the hospital
    as well as support from family and friends
    (and weather geeks!) gets you over the hump
    and brings your health back!
    Best regards.
    Mike

  5. Geoff: Evi is right. Massive doses of Vitamin C will help. My husband has been getting that and is doing well 3 and a half months after diagnosis for the same cancer. He’s also doing a lot of alternative protocols which seem to be working. We’ve done a massive amount of research and there are several good things out there to try. Please look into using a hypobaric chamber. Cancer hates oxygen. Anyway, a speedy recovery from this latest procedure, smooth sailing through the next procedure and enjoy the support and love of your family.

  6. Best wishes to you for complete healing. My friend’s elderly mother in law had a whipple and lived 20 + years, was completely cured of the cancer. It is possible. Keep up the positive thoughts. My prayers are with you.

  7. Glad this procedure was done and successful. Here’s to the next one being as complete as this! May there be many more happy and healthy family gatherings to come.
    XOXOXO

  8. Geoff

    All the very best from southern CT. Sounds like you are in great (and experienced) hands and every precaution is being taken. The wait from now until the 27th may seem long but try to enjoy the pampering and being spoiled by your family and friends. Wishing you a speedy (and complete) recovery.

    Keep fighting the good fight!

    Jerry

    P.S. Still wishing you were on the air here in CT.

  9. Geoff

    All the very best from southern CT. Sounds like you are in great (and experienced) hands and every precaution is being taken. The wait from now until the 27th may seem long but try to enjoy the pampering and being spoiled by your family and friends. Wishing you a speedy (and complete) recovery.

    Keep fighting the good fight!

    Jerry

    P.S. Still wishing you were on the air here in CT.

  10. Hi Geoff. Will keep you in my daily prayers and wishing you a speedy recovery. I’m hoping that you remember this but you were a guest speaker at my daughters national honor Society banquet in the year 2004. This was for the graduating high school class of Seymour High. You spoke, and very eloquently, I might add, and my husband and I were so thoroughly impressed with the motivational speech you gave to this graduating class. Not only did you talk to these high school students, but you made the extreme effort in talking to all the parents by visiting each and every table in the banquet hall. We were always fans of yours and still are. Hoping that your recovery is smooth, my husband and I and our children wish you the best. Carol & Jim Jensen. Oxford CT

  11. Thoughts and prayers for you, Geoff. It’s hard to tell someone that has cancer that everything will be fine. You will give it your best fight and that’s all you can do. If anyone succeeds, it will be you!

  12. You hang in there pal. Obviously writing is cathartic. That said, first and foremost I have always known you to be a “personality” and a performer. Make this missives as video as well. What was that? A picture is worth a thousand…..

    Seriously though, get well soon so I can come out and buy you lunch.

  13. Wishing you a speedy recovery, watched you many years on channel 8. Do as the doctors say and take each day one step at a time my friend, enjoy each and every minute with your Beautiful family and friends sending many hugs and prayers!

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