Chapter 4: The electro physiology study 10-26

Chapter 4: The electro physiology study 10-26
I was wheeled down the cold corridors to the lab where this test took place. The nurse before I left made me leave everything behind including my glasses. Once there, my groin was shaved. If you want to avoid that, shave it before hand. The test goes through the artery in the leg. I believe they give you oxygen through the nose, little clips. They also put a strap across your legs and chest. The local is administered through the I.V.
The worst part in my opinion the the numbing of the groin. The Dr. administers Novocain. It burns a bit but does the job quite nicely. They asked me to look around, when told they said I couldn't bring glasses, they wondered aloud why.
The test is fairly quick. As they tell you they change your heart beat to test areas. The local keeps you very peaceful during it. At some part for me however, I passed out. Awoke to people telling me to relax, it was still doing the exam, some breathing and I relaxed. Apparently from what I can recall, I stiffened to a point where my body had an upward motion, shoulder blades pushing my back up. It became obvious just why they use these straps. The test was over very shortly after that.
Recovery was very short. I could see I was outside the curtained area that I had been shaved in. The next person, curtains were closed, was being shaved. The Dr. came out and told me that I would need a defibrillator. Groggily I don't think I managed a question and he walked back into the room for the next patient. It was then I was told if my blood stayed good it would be implanted tomorrow.
Carted back to my room, had to keep one leg still for 5 hours. Fun thing to do as they slide you back into bed. Coming in and out of it and coming to terms with having a defibrillator. It seemed that it was to be put by the ventrical. I'd been told that the atrial would have to be controlled with medication. I made my calls, let my family know what was going on. I don't know exactly what I had for dinner that night, but it was decent. Tomorrow was the implant. Not quite as early as I had hoped. I was told they would come around 11. The problem being, that of course I wasn't allowed fluid or food after midnight. Would be a hungry morning.