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Aortic aneurysm

Posted by roxbury2200 @roxbury2200, Nov 15 2:07pm

I am 97 years old in good health. aortic aneurysm of 7 cm. Have been offered open heart surgery. Is it worth the ordeal at my age ?

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moonboy | @moonboy | Nov 15 3:49pm

That’s a profoundly serious decision, and it’s good you’re asking these questions. At 97 years old, with a 7 cm aortic aneurysm, the situation is risky either way. Surgery does offer the possibility of preventing a rupture, which is often fatal, but it’s a major operation, and recovery at your age could be challenging, even if you’re in good health now. There is also an increased risk of morality as a result of surgery.

Consider what kind of life you’d want after surgery. Do you have the strength and support to endure the months of recovery that may follow? If the thought of undergoing such an ordeal feels like too much or doesn’t align with your goals, it’s entirely reasonable to opt for comfort care and focus on living your remaining time as fully as possible. My aorta ruptured suddenly and without any warning at age 50. It was a nightmare of a surgery and almost 2 years before I felt anything like myself again (and also according to my wife). On the other hand, if your doctors believe you’re an unusually strong candidate for surgery and you’re willing to take the chance for more time with your current quality of life, then it might be worth the risk. Ultimately, the decision should reflect what matters most to you—whether that’s maximizing your time or avoiding a potentially grueling process. Either way, you deserve compassion and clarity as you make this choice. Given what I know and what I went through at 50, I would not do it again at 97. My dad just turned 90 and he's got a new girlfriend, new electric SUV, new Ping golf clubs, and just returned from a solo trip in Ireland. So, I understand the fountain of youth is a real thing. I wish you the best and I hope I make it to 97! Peace.

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2 replies
Lara K | @larak | Nov 17 6:55am
In reply to @moonboy "That’s a profoundly serious decision, and it’s good you’re asking these questions. At 97 years old,..." + (show)
@moonboy

That’s a profoundly serious decision, and it’s good you’re asking these questions. At 97 years old, with a 7 cm aortic aneurysm, the situation is risky either way. Surgery does offer the possibility of preventing a rupture, which is often fatal, but it’s a major operation, and recovery at your age could be challenging, even if you’re in good health now. There is also an increased risk of morality as a result of surgery.

Consider what kind of life you’d want after surgery. Do you have the strength and support to endure the months of recovery that may follow? If the thought of undergoing such an ordeal feels like too much or doesn’t align with your goals, it’s entirely reasonable to opt for comfort care and focus on living your remaining time as fully as possible. My aorta ruptured suddenly and without any warning at age 50. It was a nightmare of a surgery and almost 2 years before I felt anything like myself again (and also according to my wife). On the other hand, if your doctors believe you’re an unusually strong candidate for surgery and you’re willing to take the chance for more time with your current quality of life, then it might be worth the risk. Ultimately, the decision should reflect what matters most to you—whether that’s maximizing your time or avoiding a potentially grueling process. Either way, you deserve compassion and clarity as you make this choice. Given what I know and what I went through at 50, I would not do it again at 97. My dad just turned 90 and he's got a new girlfriend, new electric SUV, new Ping golf clubs, and just returned from a solo trip in Ireland. So, I understand the fountain of youth is a real thing. I wish you the best and I hope I make it to 97! Peace.

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Great answer! Your dad sounds awesome. ❤️

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roxbury2200 | @roxbury2200 | Nov 17 1:59pm
In reply to @moonboy "That’s a profoundly serious decision, and it’s good you’re asking these questions. At 97 years old,..." + (show)
@moonboy

That’s a profoundly serious decision, and it’s good you’re asking these questions. At 97 years old, with a 7 cm aortic aneurysm, the situation is risky either way. Surgery does offer the possibility of preventing a rupture, which is often fatal, but it’s a major operation, and recovery at your age could be challenging, even if you’re in good health now. There is also an increased risk of morality as a result of surgery.

Consider what kind of life you’d want after surgery. Do you have the strength and support to endure the months of recovery that may follow? If the thought of undergoing such an ordeal feels like too much or doesn’t align with your goals, it’s entirely reasonable to opt for comfort care and focus on living your remaining time as fully as possible. My aorta ruptured suddenly and without any warning at age 50. It was a nightmare of a surgery and almost 2 years before I felt anything like myself again (and also according to my wife). On the other hand, if your doctors believe you’re an unusually strong candidate for surgery and you’re willing to take the chance for more time with your current quality of life, then it might be worth the risk. Ultimately, the decision should reflect what matters most to you—whether that’s maximizing your time or avoiding a potentially grueling process. Either way, you deserve compassion and clarity as you make this choice. Given what I know and what I went through at 50, I would not do it again at 97. My dad just turned 90 and he's got a new girlfriend, new electric SUV, new Ping golf clubs, and just returned from a solo trip in Ireland. So, I understand the fountain of youth is a real thing. I wish you the best and I hope I make it to 97! Peace.

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Many thanks. I think I going to wait it out and hope my luck continues notwithstanding the ticking time bomb.

Herb

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1 reply
moonboy | @moonboy | Nov 17 5:25pm

I’m always happy to chat privately if you like. You can send me an email to my contact address on the system pbarry@lawpoint.com.

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pittsburghdad | @pittsburghdad | Nov 18 7:53am
In reply to @roxbury2200 "Many thanks. I think I going to wait it out and hope my luck continues notwithstanding..." + (show)
@roxbury2200

Many thanks. I think I going to wait it out and hope my luck continues notwithstanding the ticking time bomb.

Herb

Jump to this post

I am assuming that the aneurysm is in the ascending aorta and that is why an open procedure was mentioned. While the use of stents in the ascending aorta has not generally been approved by the FDA, I thought there were some instances in older patients where it has been approved on an emergency basis where there is concern about surviving an open procedure. It's something you might consider discussing your doctor.

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pamela78 | @pamela78 | Nov 18 9:47am

More and more of us are living lots longer than our grandparents' or parents' generations. 100 is no longer as remarkable as it once was. That's great but what it also means is, we oldsters are going to face decisions that were once, perhaps, unthinkable. There's a wonderful book by Dr. Atul Gawande called Being Mortal. In it he addresses precisely these kinds of decisions. Age does matter, as does quality of life. I'm 78 with a 4.2 AAA. I'll, of course, wait and watch for now, but if I reach 88, I'll rethink things. At 97 I don't think I'd want to spend my last two years, if I got that, suffering through a difficult recovery. Talk to your doctors, your family, your friends, who are probably facing similar crossroads of their own. My best friend has non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She's 76 and has had this for 25 years. She won't go on forever, but more chemo? We discuss life and death a lot, with complete candor. It helps. I hope that whatever you decide your remaining years are fulfilling...and fun!

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US Marine | @usmarine | Nov 19 10:55am

I’m 74, my recent AAA is leaking @4.1.
Surgeon doesn’t seem worried and made a check up for March 2025.
I plan to wait until then and revisit the situation.
At this point anyway, I don’t want any more operations!!!!!
I am a 100% Disabled USMC Vietnam Combat Veteran - - service connected!!!
Think I will probably continue to hold off!

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2 replies
US Marine | @usmarine | Nov 19 10:57am
In reply to @usmarine "I’m 74, my recent AAA is leaking @4.1. Surgeon doesn’t seem worried and made a check..." + (show)
@usmarine

I’m 74, my recent AAA is leaking @4.1.
Surgeon doesn’t seem worried and made a check up for March 2025.
I plan to wait until then and revisit the situation.
At this point anyway, I don’t want any more operations!!!!!
I am a 100% Disabled USMC Vietnam Combat Veteran - - service connected!!!
Think I will probably continue to hold off!

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I love this group and like the suggestions and advice!!!!
*Semper Fi* !!

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caljay2019z6 | @caljay2019z6 | Nov 20 8:23pm
In reply to @usmarine "I’m 74, my recent AAA is leaking @4.1. Surgeon doesn’t seem worried and made a check..." + (show)
@usmarine

I’m 74, my recent AAA is leaking @4.1.
Surgeon doesn’t seem worried and made a check up for March 2025.
I plan to wait until then and revisit the situation.
At this point anyway, I don’t want any more operations!!!!!
I am a 100% Disabled USMC Vietnam Combat Veteran - - service connected!!!
Think I will probably continue to hold off!

Jump to this post

Hero!

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