Art had his angiogram last week Tuesday and on Wednesday after we removed the bandage, found that his arm had turned an alarming red. Then it turned purple which really freaked me out.
We went back to the cardiologist on Thursday, and she advised us to put some warm compresses on it, alternating with an ace bandage. She also told us to expect his bruise to turn into a rainbow of other colors.
We went back this Tuesday and the color was improving.
However, there was a small knot at the puncture site that was painful when pressed. She sent us to a vascular doctor to have an ultrasound done on it. It turned out to be normal and he told us that it would just take time to heal completely.
I've been using a soft reusable gel heating and cooling compress that I microwave for just 40 seconds. Then I wrap an ace bandage around the entire thing for 20 minutes to hold it in place.
After 20 minutes I take off the heated compress and just use the ace bandage lightly around the arm.
That first photo does not show his arm at its worst. It did get a whole lot more purple and swollen before it improved.
His arm never did turn into all those colors we were promised. It just slowly faded bit by bit. The white arrow points to where the puncture was. There's a little mound there at the puncture site, but it looks otherwise normal.
Art says I've been a good nurse. I'm just grateful I've got DrumMajor giving me advice anytime I need it and a whole cadre of bloggers out there who can add their experiences. I never have to feel like I'm alone dealing with these nerve wracking times.
We went back to the cardiologist on Thursday, and she advised us to put some warm compresses on it, alternating with an ace bandage. She also told us to expect his bruise to turn into a rainbow of other colors.
We went back this Tuesday and the color was improving.
However, there was a small knot at the puncture site that was painful when pressed. She sent us to a vascular doctor to have an ultrasound done on it. It turned out to be normal and he told us that it would just take time to heal completely.
I've been using a soft reusable gel heating and cooling compress that I microwave for just 40 seconds. Then I wrap an ace bandage around the entire thing for 20 minutes to hold it in place.
After 20 minutes I take off the heated compress and just use the ace bandage lightly around the arm.
That first photo does not show his arm at its worst. It did get a whole lot more purple and swollen before it improved.
His arm never did turn into all those colors we were promised. It just slowly faded bit by bit. The white arrow points to where the puncture was. There's a little mound there at the puncture site, but it looks otherwise normal.
Art says I've been a good nurse. I'm just grateful I've got DrumMajor giving me advice anytime I need it and a whole cadre of bloggers out there who can add their experiences. I never have to feel like I'm alone dealing with these nerve wracking times.
Thank you for sharing this follow up. It was very concerning because it certainly did look a lot worse. Hooray for great nurse and trusting patient.
ReplyDeleteYou really have been a good nurse. Art seems to be healing well, although I am sure you both could have done without those blips along the way. Did anyone say why his arm got so bruised?
ReplyDeleteA nurse was admonished when she was removing the catheter that she'd done it a bit incorrectly which might cause a problem later. Then immediately after they applied the pressure radial bracelet, a hematoma developed and another male nurse grabbed his arm to hold it down. We're guessing that this might be part of the difficulty that happened.
DeleteOi veh!
DeleteYou did a wonderful job as a nurse, Kay! Now Art's arm looks really good again. I'm glad everything went so well.
ReplyDeleteOh me too, Karin, me too.
DeleteWow it looks a whole lot better!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he is going in the right direction so quickly. It looks like it will be fine, and I too wonder why it was so bruised.
ReplyDeletecongrats-the patient is so improved!
ReplyDeletethat's good the color has gone back to normal
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it is relief to you to see Art's arm almost back to normal. Art was lucky to have you to take such good care of him.
ReplyDeleteHey, Nurse Kay! I'm impressed! It's amazing that the bruise is gone so soon! You've been Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton, pulling compress and Ace duty all week. (Art really doesn't prefer purple as an accessory color, does he?)
ReplyDeleteYou proved me wrong with the length-of-bruise timing. Fastest absorption I've ever seen. The little "lump" may be a more permanent thingie from healing. Don't go smashing on it.
Back to the original "adventure," (love Art's shirt,) hope you clarified any of Art's restrictions with the doc. From what you originally mentioned, seems he could do an easy daily 3-mile jog. While your specific case is fresh in the doc's mind, you may want to call her with any physical or duration clarifications needed.
For Olga and DJan's questions: A pulsing artery is used, not a vein. An artery is harder to stop the bleed.
While they stop the bleeding, (remember the little pressure device they used?,) some blood leaks out into the tissues.
Some people bruise easier than others, and is more easily seen on slender people; oldish skin is thinner.
If smooshed, it can spread what was already in the tissues.
Yep, gentle heat can help the tissues absorb the bruise.
Such bruising is not reflective of the doc or nurses being "good" or "bad."
Pretty sure Kay didn't assault Art, nor did a Mack truck really run over his arm.
Never hesitate going back to an E.R. or a doc for a concern. They'd rather you come in and get checked for something than to wait too long and it possibly become more serious.
Cheers, DrumMajor
Too funny! Art was kiddingly calling me "Clara" for a while. The cardiologist was pretty adamant that he discontinue competitive running and stick to shorter maximum 3 mile runs or less and more walking. :-)
DeleteArt is so lucky to have you :) I can see how much love you both have for one another.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it something that, as we get older, even the most athletic among us is undergoing more medical attention than two or three 20-year-olds?
ReplyDeleteAll the best to Art, and glad his color is back to normal.
Luv, K
So very true. I'm very glad he's slowing down a little from his usual stressful runs which used to drive me crazy.
DeleteArt's arm really look totally back to normal in the 2nd photo. It must be all due to your good care of using the heated compress and the ace bandage on his arm diligently. My mother-in-law did not use any of those and it took her arm quite a long time to get back to normal color.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the sicly yellow-green is disgusting, the color shows you are almost well. Good for you. I am a bad nurse. Dianne
ReplyDeleteart is lucky to have such a good nurse! i bruise like that!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how good a nurse you are to Art, same attention to detail, love and energy as you put into your blog, Kay!!
ReplyDeleteAgain, I'm going to take a break from my computer....sending it back to the repair facility since they didn't do a good job last month argh
L...w
I'm so sorry about your computer. I know aggravating that can be.
DeleteGood job, Kay. The new heat and ice packs that come out of the microwave or the freezer are such a help.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Nurse Kay!
ReplyDeleteI am happy for you getting such good advice from Drum Major and others. It really is a great source of comfort when things get stressful in situations like this. Good also to see the improvement in Art's arm. Lots of TLC from you worked wonders.
ReplyDeleteGood job, well done, Kay and Art both.
ReplyDeleteGlad he's better!
ReplyDeleteI think he healed fast, considering the trauma, and I'm sure your expert nursing care helped a lot!
ReplyDeleteDrumMajor is spot on, of course, about older skin being thinner. I'm amazed at the bruises that seemingly appear for no reason on my hands and arms. Apparently, the slightest bump produces a nice purple "shiner." At first I was alarmed; now I know it's just part of the process.
ReplyDeleteSo glad!
ReplyDeleteArt is right: you ARE a great nurse! I am glad that he is almost back to normal.
ReplyDeleteI had the same procedure. The lump at my catheter site remained for months. I did not have any bruising (that I can remember), but I did have a red dot at the puncture site for probably a year, maybe a little more. Glad he is doing well. I love your blog, just usually lurk. :-). Robin
ReplyDeleteHello Pippa! It's so very nice to meet you. I DO LOVE hearing from my readers, and I appreciate your kind input. It's wonderful to be able to tell Art that the lump will go away. He tends to rub it every so often.
DeleteI hope you'll visit and say hello again. Are you from Hawaii?
Unfortunately, no. I am from OH and currently living in NE GA. I visited Kauai in 2000 and I very much want to return. You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. I will be back, both to your blog and Hawaii!
ReplyDelete