Yippee Ki Yay Mother Fuckers

Life– Terror. Ecstasy. Fight. Denial. Flight. Failure. PAIN. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Hope. Love. Peace – Death

I have been juggling with heart issues for a while now.

At first I thought I was imagining it? An extra breath or two after climbing stairs? An extra wheeze or two when washing the car? Or, it might be related to my cancer spreading within my lungs? It has, steadily, worsened and I commenced investigations about two months ago. Both my parents died of heart related conditions, my mum, aged just 46. It is not that surprising to discover I have congenital heart issues?

The NHS wheels turn slowly and it seems like it has taken an age to get to this point. I have reached the stage of surgical intervention, all of a sudden, things are travelling quickly. I have had my Pre-Op for a Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) procedure scheduled for 31/12/24 NYE. A now, routine, day procedure compared to a major surgical intervention when my mum was alive.

Pre-op went without drama (22/12/24), although it did fuck up our planned Christmas trip to Chester Zoo. An information overload, some of it, quite scary! In the information age medical professionals have to tell you EVERYTHING! Frankly, some of which you would rather not know?

We went thru my medical history (we better get a bigger boat)! My prescriptions, my current, complex, health conditions and status. All of the detailed preparation required several days prior to the CPI procedure? What drugs to continue to take? What drugs to stop taking, and when? New drugs? To be administered several days before and on the day and for 12 months afterwards? Complicated? Good job I was accompanied by a responsible adult (my wife Gail).

New Years Eve 2024 – The day of my CPI.

I have to be at Liverpool Heart & Chest for 8.00am. I suspect I might be the first one down? It is a movable feast, the daily CPI schedule depends upon the hospital emergency situation on the day? Heart attacks? Strokes? Any other, heart related, emergencies will take precedence, as and when. Hopefully, Everton will not collapse against City on Boxing Day, nor in the 29th against Forrest? Not too many, Evertonians will end up in Broadgreen between Christmas and NYE!

I was informed a CPI procedure averages two hours. Arrive at 7.50am, prepped, and down for 9.00am? If all goes well I could be back on the day ward for 11.00am resting?

Two weeks of rest including no driving for at least a week. A precaution as if I burst my stitches I will bleed out and very quickly apparently! No further treatment except additional meds for 12 months to prevent any Stents fitted from ‘healing over’. In theory I will be a new man. I will be able to climb stairs and wash cars all fucking day if I want to.

The Royal Liverpool Heart & Chest, Broadgreen, to us scousers performs approximately 2,000 CPI’s per year with close to a 90% success rate (information from pre-op). My mum was treated at Broadgreen Hospital for her heart conditions as was my dad for his Stroke, 50 and more years ago. CPI at Broadgreen is a routine everyday occurrence. They clearly have the expertise and experience. However, there are some risks? I could get run over in the hospital car park? A tree might fall on me (to be fair not that unlikely at the minute)?

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

I get to watch the whole procedure on TV. I can follow the coronary artery camera throughout its entire journey thru an artery to my heart. I will keep an eye out for that watch I lost all those years ago whilst in Ibiza. Apparently, Dr Appleby (Clare) will talk me thru everything, live. If I am honest? I would rather she keep her eyes on the wheel.

Plan A – Local anaesthetic, a small incision to my left wrist. insert a carrier tube that allows the camera and wires to travel thru an artery, up my arm, to my heart. Some, ‘contrast’, highlighting dye is delivered, lots of pictures and apparently an x ray or two.

We discus the findings, if required, insert a couple of ‘Stents’ and job done. Of course it could take longer depending upon what, if anything, additional is required? But, all being well? Done and dusted by 11.00am, 4-5 hours rest, laying flat, in recovery and then home for a wild NYE party.

However, unlike Sean Dyche, there is also a Plan B.

Depending upon what Dr Clare discovers she might decide to go ahead and perform an emergency bypass there and then? I have already signed for that (Pre-Op). If so? I suspect I might have to have further anaesthetic, a general at that point? I can’t see me getting out same day? Looks like I might have to give Paul SMC a ring and cancel that gig!

I have a scheduled consultation with my oncologist on the 2/1/25. Hopefully, I will still be able to attend as we will discuss findings from my recent PSA test, PCMA PET and CT Scans, examining the spread of my prostate cancer to my lungs and other organs and deciding upon a treatment plan moving forward.

Yippee Ki Yay Mother Fuckers!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all, see you on the other side?

Thanks for Reading

#peace