I have to go to Duke next Thursday the 20th to have two tests done. I need to have a resting MUGA scan and an echocardiogram. A resting MUGA scan (gated blood pool imaging) uses an ECG machine while imaging my heart. The result of the scans is a movie of my beating heart, which will allow my physician to assess how well it is pumping blood.When I arrive for my appointment, I will receive an injection that will allow the radioactive tracer to "hook" into my blood. About 20 to 30 minutes after this injection, a small vial of blood is withdrawn and allowed to mix with a radioactive tracer. About ten minutes later, my blood, with the radioactive tracer, is injected back into my body. Then, four images of my heart will be taken.
After the results of the tests are back, Dr. Kanter can schedule the surgery. The surgery will be done at Duke Medical Center. This will be an invasive procedure due to them having to cut my chest open. I will keep everyone updated as we go along! Thanks so much for reading and keeping myself and my family in your prayers!
Hope is necessary in every condition. ~ Samuel Johnson
