7.9cm looking for support

Posted by 31ker @31ker, Nov 8 5:42pm

Hello all
I’m a 66 year old fit and healthy man or so I thought I was until I had a routine bladder scan just other day and they found a Abdominal Aortic Aneurism 7.9 Cm
What’s that I thought ? It sounds bad !
They sent me to ER and they checked me out and I have no symptoms and normal blood pressure
They made an appointment to see a vascular surgeon and he has explained to me what’s happening and what needs to be done
He has booked in for a CT scan in 4 days before booking me in for surgery
My surgeon says I will have a new Aorta before Christmas
I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet just how seriously life changing this is but I’m trying to stay positive
Just looking for some support as up until now I’ve never really been sick and always been healthy
It’s hard for me and my family to look forward but we have to be positive as there is no other way and really no option other than to get this done
Planning the less invasive option for a quicker recovery with ongoing checks and scans
So if you have on of these time bombs in your belly like me just be positive !
Life is always challenging

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

moonboy | @moonboy | Nov 8 5:52pm

Hey man. Thanks your posting. You're going to be okay. You're in good hands. LISTEN to your doctors. Get the surgery. Organize your bills, work schedule, personal papers, etc. to simplify things for your spouse/family during your recovery. Your doctors caught it and that's just the best news ever! You do not want to ignore this condition and knowing about it is 95% of the battle. I did not know I had an aneurysm until it burst at age 50. You do not want that. You're good though because you know. Relax. No smoking, drinking, or lifting anything. Just listen to your doctors. After you've had surgery and feel better, get back out here, post about your recovery, and help others facing what you survived. It will do wonders for others. I'm so happy for you to know. Peace and we'll talk to you on the other side of surgery if not before then!

31ker | @31ker | Nov 8 6:09pm

In reply to @moonboy "Hey man. Thanks your posting. You're going to be okay. You're in good hands. LISTEN to..." + (show)

Thanks Mate !
That’s what I want to hear
Great to hear you made it
Well done
Your support and advice means the world to me
I will continue to share my journey 😎

cdt55 | @cdt55 | Nov 9 8:33am

My dad had an 11cm AAA at 79. Had the surgery and lived a great life to 95! It sucks, but thank god they found it. I have a 4.8cm ascending aorta aneurysm. It was found accidentally when getting a calcium scan. I’m glad that I can at least get my things in order so if something does goes wrong, it will be easier for my wife and kids.

hsminc | @hsminc | Nov 9 3:06pm

You obviously have a large abdominal aneurysm, which clearly needs to be fixed soon. The size at which fixing becomes necessary for these is usually 5.5 cm..
it sounds like you are having the latest and greatest type of surgery - I wish that type was available for ascending aortic aneurysms.

31ker | @31ker | Nov 9 6:34pm

In reply to @cdt55 "My dad had an 11cm AAA at 79. Had the surgery and lived a great life..." + (show)

Many Thanks for sharing your story about your dad
What a great outcome
I’m sure you will be ok too
Stay positive 😎

31ker | @31ker | Nov 9 6:36pm

In reply to @hsminc "You obviously have a large abdominal aneurysm, which clearly needs to be fixed soon. The size..." + (show)

Thanks for your message
We are lucky to have a great health system here in Australia
I’m sorry to hear that you don’t have the surgical options we have
Where do you live ?

hsminc | @hsminc | Nov 9 9:41pm

This type of surgery is available in the US for abdominal aneurysms. I think it is available only in clinical trials for ascending aortic aneurysms. I believe that is true in Australia, Europe, etc..

mikeneverwired | @mikeneverwired | Nov 10 9:09am

Life is challenging for sure but you should be very thankful they found your aneurysm in time to fix it. I hope your surgeon has done these procedures before as it is a complex operation. ...but do not fear! I had my surgery in late Feb, took it easy for a few months (mostly walking 10k steps daily), then got right back to more strenuous workouts including hiking and biking. So you will be fine, but don't over exert in those few weeks post surgery... let your chest heal!

rogerdhorton | @rogerdhorton | Nov 10 12:21pm

In reply to @mikeneverwired "Life is challenging for sure but you should be very thankful they found your aneurysm in..." + (show)

Hi Mike if I may be so bold to ask but how large was the ascending aorta?

Also was yours diagnosed years ago or was it a last minute revelation?

Just curious. Cheers

mikeneverwired | @mikeneverwired | Nov 10 5:33pm

In reply to @rogerdhorton "Hi Mike if I may be so bold to ask but how large was the ascending..." + (show)

Hi Roger,

Well, I had a little AFIB episode while biking last summer. I didn't think about it but did ask my doc for a referral just in case something was amiss. Anyway, they did an ECG (echo) and found an ascending aortic aneurysm of 5.4cm and the cardiologist referred me to a surgeon. That's about when I realized this was real. I stayed in shape, mostly by walking (a lot) and had the operation in late Feb down at St. Anthony's in Denver. So it wasn't a last minute thing but with yours at 7.9cm, I'd get it addressed sooner rather than later.

View More View Less

Please sign in or register to post a reply.