HEY EVERYONE! IT'S MISS VINNIE! WELCOME TO MY BLOG!
This is the sacred place for me to share behind-the-scenes stories about my personal transplant journey.
Ten years ago, I received a life-saving heart transplant. The years went by like a freight train traveling near an icy road; on time, but unpredictable. Test after test has left my tired, tiny veins in a perpetual state of shock! I often dread the thought of being poked and prodded by professional strangers who have no idea that big girls like me feel pain too.
So on this particular day, I really wasn't feeling like being a proper and polite science project. But compliancy is an absolute must when you have been given such a generous gift of life. Every single test is important and necessary in order to maintain good health; whether you feel like it or not.
I always consider the alternative when I get in my "feelings" about my annual appointments. I could have died ten years ago at Keck USC Medical Center. Actually, I could have died many times over during my fight with Congestive Heart Failure. But by the grace and mercy of God, I survived. And I am truly grateful that I am under the care of such dedicated medical professionals at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, one of the top transplant hospitals in the world. And the food is not bad, either.
I have ventured back and forth between these two prestigious facilities for years. Keck was my home for almost seven months when I was placed on the transplant list. And they have taken excellent care of me and my new heart for all of these years. However, whenever I needed urgent medical care via ambulance (which is seriously far too many times for me to count) I have always been rushed straight to Cedars Sinai Medical Center by the fine paramedics who knew my name and address by heart.
So, for my tenth "heartiversary" it only made sense for me to transfer over to Cedars Sinai permanently. They have always provided me with excellent care, and the hospital actually is much closer to my residence. The doctors and nurses at Cedars have a very special way of making you feel comfortable with their joyful spirit and their professionalism. There are a lot of Angels at Cedars Sinai.
So, when I received the call from my nice Transplant Nurse to remind me not to eat any food after midnight (and she also told me not to take my medication until after my procedure) I was appreciative. Her warm and friendly voice put me at ease. Even though I am ten years post-transplant, and I have had countless Angiogram procedures, I still get the "heeby jeebies" when I think about it. Why? It's a heart procedure, for Christ's sake!
I arrived at the hospital promptly at 7:30 am as instructed. Actually, my Wonderful Son Tony dropped me of at the valet section, which was perfect. After check-in via the kiosk, I sat in the peaceful lobby of the Heart Transplant Clinic waiting for a bright and shiny nurse to call my name and escort me to my destination. And sure enough, she expeditiously appeared in her CS scrubs with a clipboard in hand and a lovely smile on her face.
After being weighed, blood pressured and tagged I followed her down the hall to Room 21; which is where I was told to strip down and put on that sexy hospital gown! Slit to the back. We all know the routine. Now this is where things start to get real.
Another lovely nurse entered the room, introduced herself and informed me that she would be taking care of me. Then she also informed me that she was about to do the thing that me and my veins dreaded most: the insertion of the IV. But she was good; I could tell.
"Miss Brooks, do they usually need the ultrasound machine to find your vein?"
"They usually stick me first."
"Well. I won't put you through all of that! I will just go ahead and get started with the ultrasoundmachine."
YES!! HALLELUJAH!! The Lord done sent somebody up in here that knows what she is doing, I thought to myself. The pain and agony of being poked multiple times has been defeated! She quickly returned with that glorious contraption in tow, ready to survey my flesh for a likely destination.
"You have tiny veins."
"I wish the rest of me was like that!" I laughed. She did too.
"I think I found one!" she exclaimed and prepared for the deep dive into my arm. That poke was painful, and I could tell from her breathing that she was having a hard time with it.
"Did you get it?" I asked.
"Pray for me!" she said.
Did she just say what I think she said, I wondered. The next thing I knew she shouted "THANK YOU JESUS! I GOT IT!" and we both erupted in praise right there in my hospital room! Unexpected tears of joy rolled down my face as confirmation that the Lord was with me! And all of the fears that were flashing through my mind had diminished; because I truly reminded once again that "God is a very present help in times of trouble" and that "He sends His ministering angels to watch over you" just like His word promises.
Yes, even though I am ten years post-transplant, those fiery darts continue to come in my direction and target my mind with deception. I sometimes struggle to this day about the longevity of life that my new heart will provide for me. But once again, I was reminded that God is in control of my life. And as long as I trust in Him, and remain compliant with my doctors' care, I have nothing to fear! Because there is NO FEAR IN GOD.
My Angiogram procedure went very well. Thanks to the Fentanyl medication, I didn't feel a thing. It's a weird kind of "twilight sleep" where you are conscious and sleep at the same time. The doctor reported that my new heart was strong, there were no blockages, therefore a stent was not necessary!
After the procedure I was wheeled back to the recovery room where I was instructed not to move my lower extremities for the next four hours, due to the fact that they had to go through the main artery in my groin, and movement can cause excessive bleeding. So, I simply chilled with my nurses under warm blankets for four hours while dining on the yummy crackers and ice water provided for me. I do appreciate the warm blankets!
After resting for my required four hours, I was escorted by "Tyrone The Wheelchair Dude" to the Discharged Patient Pick-up Area in the Gold Parking Lot where my Wonderful Son Tony was there waiting for me. Mission accomplished!
I have been surrounded by many angels in my life, and I am very grateful. Actually, I search for them in my heart wherever I go, with earnest expectation! Always remember that no matter what you are going through, that you are not alone.
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2 NIV
Be encouraged!
-Miss Vinnie
WHAT IS AN ANGIOGRAM?
An angiogram is a diagnostic procedure that uses X-ray images to look for blockages or narrow spots in your blood vessels (arteries or veins). An angiogram test can show how blood circulates in blood vessels at specific locations in your body. Healthcare providers use an angiogram of your heart, neck, kidneys, legs or other areas to locate the source of an artery or vein issue.
Your healthcare provider may want to do an angiogram procedure when you have signs of blocked, damaged or abnormal blood vessels. An angiogram test helps your provider determine the source of the problem and the extent of damage to your blood vessels.
With an angiogram procedure, your provider can diagnose and plan treatment for conditions like:
- Coronary artery disease (blockage or narrowing in the arteries that supply your heart)
- Peripheral artery disease (blockage or narrowing in your leg arteries)
- Blood clots (mass of blood cells)
- Aneurysm (weak artery wall)
Lavinia "Miss Vinnie" Brooks is a Heart Transplant Recipient from Los Angeles, California.
She is also a former OneLegacy Ambassador, and the Host/Producer of About Transplant Life with Miss Vinnie LIVE on Facebook which airs EVERY THURSDAY EVENING at 5:00 pm PST. She also produces content for cable public access television through Pasadena Media Studios in Pasadena, California.
Please visit her website: AboutTransplantLife.com for more information!