10/24/13 – Specialized WADA test @ St Joseph’s Hospital
We arrived at St Joseph’s hospital in Phoenix AZ at 5:30 am on
10/24/13. We were quickly admitted and
sent to the 4th floor where Breck was prepped for the surgery. Anthony was our nurse in the area for
outpatient procedures. He took her
vitals and put in her IV.
We met Dr Park. He was the one
who would be doing the actual “cerebral angiography” (where they put tube into
Breck’s veins and through multiple arteries from her groin or leg area to her
brain) and injecting the “sodium Amytal” in order to numb the hippocampus. This procedure is very specific as you have
to find the exactly artery that supplies the blood flow directly to the hippocampus.
We met the anesthesiologist. I
do not remember his name. We discussed
what happened at the last WADA when Breck coded on them. The plan was to monitor her heart rate closely
to make sure it stayed at a good level.
We met the nice lady (don’t remember her name) who put on her EEG wires
so she would be monitored for seizures during the procedure as well.
The last person we were able to see was Manny! This was a highlight – he is the one who did
the procedure last time and that was so scared for Breck. What a great guy. He actually came by 2 more times this day to
check on Breck.
RISKS
We were told at this time that there are of course more risks as the
arteries and veins are very small. The
largest risk factor listed is a 1% chance of stroke. This could occur if they puncture the vein
wall, or if the plaque which accumulates along the side walls of our veins is
scraped off and causes a blockage. This
is usually more of an issue with someone older or much heavier. Another complication that could occur is if
the arteries are irritated and create a “spasm” response (vasospasm, spasm or
narrowing of the blood vessels). The
best example I have to think of it would be after running or heavy exercise your
muscle is irritated and you get a muscle cramp or charley horse. Or if you kink a hose while it is
running. This is what happens in the
brain. The arteries get irritated and
start to spasm which restricts blood flow and can be symptomatic of a
stroke.
THE PROCEDURE
*** interesting side note. When
they took Breck back the nurse escorted me to the waiting area. It was in a different area than the last WADA
– in fact I was the only one in the waiting room. I wasn’t complaining as it was quiet. But later when I passed the other waiting
room I realized how far away I had been --- I think they were making sure I
wouldn’t be able to see anyone running just in case of a complication!...
Ok.. so after about 2 hours they let me back in where Breck was
resting. At this point we were told how
great Breck did. She passed the WADA memory
test with “flying colors”.
And they were able to use a different plug at the catheter site that
actually worked. This was wonderful
because her recovery time was only 2.5 hours of lying straight instead of 6
hours. Again this is to make sure there
isn’t any continued bleeding in the groin area.
This was a different brand of plug – this one is called ANGIO-SEAL, A
vascular Closure Device. We were told to
keep an eye on it for 3 months until it completely dissolved.
We learned that the anesthesiologist noticed that her heart rate was
low and gave her something to keep it beating faster as they were finishing the
procedure. He was trying to avoid what
happened at the first WADA test. When
she coded on them.
Breck ate and took her seizure meds around 10:30am. Then about 12:30 they had her walk around the
floor she did great. She looked
great. I went to validate my parking
pass and when I returned she was completely dressed which she did all by
herself. Again – she did great… she
looked great. I headed to get the car
and meet her at the curb. We were being
discharged at 1pm. Yea!! This was 4 hours earlier than I had
anticipated. We were very happy campers… for a short moment anyway.
Until… continued in the next
post.
Smiles
Sean A’lee
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