Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Hi - I am a 77 year old female widow of two years, now living alone. I have been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, though they are monitoring it every six months with ultrasound. I had a 4-way bypass in 2020 and I also have leakage in the aortic valve with thickening. I’ve been experiencing some partial blindness when I bend over sporadically. My right carotid artery is 70% blocked and now my cardiologist is referring me to a vascular surgeon to clean out the artery. I live each day with thoughtfulness. I can’t exercise much due to pretty severe knee issues but stay as active as I can in my garden and around the house herding my cats. Any insight you have for these issues would be appreciated. Traveling via a jet is now a distant thought.

Hello,
My name is Pam and I was diagnosed with a thoracic aorta aneurysm in April. My dad had one years ago. My doctor says they will check it again in a year. The size of mine is 4.2 I believe. I would like some feedback if anyone has some to offer.
Thanks
Pam

Hello Yelsel. I am so very sorry for your devastating loss! No words can truly console that emptiness. Aneurysms dissect in numerous ways. They present symptoms differently from person to person. I have no answer for you. All of us here in this aneurysm group ask that same question, probably everyday, though we try not to ..... as it will consume us. We are continuously looking for explanations and strategies. You have experienced the worst outcome, and I think everyone reading this site probably is likely feeling your deeply seated pain and frustrations at some level, and the fear that goes forward. I hope you can move forward❤️

Just diagnosed with AA - told dr that both my parents and brother had AA but she did not mention it possibly being genetic. Interesting, thank you. Sorry, can't offer any suggestions re pain. Am waiting to see specialist.

Hi all I was diagnosed with triple A when I was 48. They have been monitoring it and now it's at 5.5cm. they sent me for MRI as they want to operate and now the results are back it shows I have two. One in my stomach and one in my chest. I'm absolutely gutted

You’re going to be OK. I survived a type one aortic dissection in 2015. I was 50 years old and I am now in my ninth year surviving it. You are very lucky to have detected it. Don’t be afraid to have surgery if your doctor recommends it. It will save your life. And aneurysm is much like a balloon. Once it pops, there’s no going back. They can help you and they will. Do this for yourself and for your family so that you can start to recover and be healthy. I am healthier now than I was nine years ago. I have practice law for nine more years and helped thousands of people since I recovered. I have hauled many bags of mulch and rock to help landscape my yard with my wife. I have built many decks around my house and played with my children on them. There is life after the surgery. When you have a large aortic aneurysm like you do, your heart is not working correctly and you are struggling without realizing it. You’re going to be OK. The surgery is hard but it is 1000 times harder if it comes without warning. Your odds of surviving a sudden aortic dissection like mine are next to nothing unless you’re near to a world-class cardiac care center within minutes. Don’t be afraid. it is scary, but you have to have the courage to let these doctors care for you. All of the techniques and technology that were around in 2015 have greatly improved in the past nine years. I am a testament to how good these thoracic surgeons are. You can call me and talk about it anytime. My contact information is connected to my profile. Peace.

Hi, I was fine with 1 but to find another in the chest cavity is a different ball game. Just going to live life to the full.

It’s your life. There’s lots of excellent surgical interventions that will make you stronger. If I were 90, I would probably forgo the open heart surgery. If I were 60, I would do it. I’ve had a great life, even though it was tough to have it thrust on me at the age of 50 with absolutely no inkling. The one advantage of having a sudden aortic dissection is that you don’t have any back-and-forth with the doctors about what needs to be done. They just cut and save. Good luck.

Hello, I was just told yesterday that I have an aortic aneurysm. I am scheduled for CT and consult next month. Thank God it was discovered. It measures 5cm so I guess surgery is in the near future. I am in shock and just cannot wrap my head around it. Not sure what to ask. Just started to research but not sure if I am comprehending it yet. I am pretty well versed on the procedure but the recovery after is my concern. Can a post operative member share with me their journey post-surgery?

That's a really big question to answer. I had a sudden and complete Type A-1 aortic dissection in 2015 that I survived by the skin of my teeth. I spent three weeks in a cardiac ICU. Couple weeks of coma, left parietal stroke, complete deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. It was really bad for the first two years of recovery. It took 5 years for me to get back to where I felt normal. BUT: It was worth it to save my life. I came back for my family, my kids, my wife, my clients, myself.

Because I dissected suddenly on a business trip 1,600 miles from home, it was really a logistical nightmare for my poor wife with five kids at home (3, 6, 9, 17, 21). You are so lucky that they detected it early. You can do something about it. You are going to be okay. You cannot ignore it though, like I did. I knew something was wrong but I was afraid to tell my wife or doctor. I actually had severe chest pain 2.5 years before my aorta blew out. If I had called 911 at that time, I would have avoided all of the nightmare scenario I put my family and myself through.

My advice is to have surgery as soon as the doctors recommend. Get you will, health directive, financial powers of attorney, living will, and all financial documents organized for your family. Relax and give yourself space. You will be very crabby, difficult, grumpy, for months after the surgery. It's the most complicated surgery that they do next to heart/lung transplants. You will be okay. You know what's wrong. I didn't know. I was dumb and reckless with my health. You can get better and save your life. Here's me after surgery and me back in California to hug my ICU nurses Chip and Carly a year after I had surgery at UCSD La Jolla. My surgeon Dr. Anthony Perricone, MD.