Hi, everyone:
I was recently diagnosed with a celiac aneurysm and an ascending aortic aneurysm, as well as transverse myelitis. Both were discovered by’accident’ - I had gone to the local ER because of severe lower back pain. Subsequently, a CT scan revealed the issues. Research tells me that a celiac aneurysm is quite rare. Mine is still quite small, about 1.5 cm. My research tells me that it’s too small for surgery ... and that its growth can be monitored by a semi-annual CT. In the meantime, I’m basically in ‘do nothing’ limbo.
Prior to the diagnosis, I was a workout warrior - pushing my body to its limits 6 days per week. I bench(ed) 260. Ran approximately 15 miles per week. Crunches. Push-ups. And, a host of other machines that targeted biceps, triceps, pectorals, back, etc. Fifty pull-ups daily. I don’t smoke, eat healthy. I am diagnosed afib, but take a beta blocker and digoxin to control rate and rhythm. My only other meds are omeprazole and vitamin D.
The aneurysm diagnosis has turned my world upside down. I live in west Texas - Abilene, to be specific. The one thoracic surgeon to whom I spoke while hospitalized immediately recused himself from surgical intervention, saying he was imminently unqualified to perform such a procedure. To date, my internal med specialist is the only doctor with whom I’ve followed up for treatment. I’m devastated at not being able to lift weights any longer. Included in that is not being able to perform menial duties in the house and yard: basically, life. My doc says I may lift 10-15 pounds - no more. But - he also says that he thinks it’s okay for me to do pull-ups in the gym. He says there’s a stark difference in using weights as opposed to using one’s own weight in terms of exercise. While I was thrilled with his conclusion, you may also paint me with a bit of cynicism. My procedure in doing pull-ups is not much different than doing a bench press: proper breathing is vital. Exhaling on the lift is standard protocol. Now, I certainly don’t wish to die on the gym floor. Abstaining from potentially damaging weightlifting is something that I know I must do.
My question, then ... is my doc wrong for green lighting pull-ups? My weight is 185 - so, it’s a workout for sure. I guess I don’t understand why I can’t shovel dirt in my yard but yet I can do pull-ups. If the aneurysm ruptures, it’s over - there is no one out here able to perform surgery. Dallas is 200 miles east; Houston, 375 miles southeast. Truthfully, given the rarity of the celiac aneurysm, I’m not terribly sure even Dallas or Houston would have a qualified surgeon.
And, these questions: what is protocol in determining when surgery is necessary? Will my aneurysm have to grow to a certain size? Is it strange to want to make that happen - so that I may resume a productive and active life as I had pre-diagnosis? I have things to get done! Am I never going to be the same prrson I was? I don’t want to go from being my wife’s hard-working husband to her burden! Am I just stuck in this situation?!
Comments appreciated.