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Ascending Aortic Dilation - Ascending Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (278)Comment receiving replies
I just joined “connect” today as I’ve become very conscious of my aortic aneurysm, which I learned about 3 years ago and put aside with the belief that my death will come when it must and I will live as best as I can until then. I am 84 years old, have been quite healthy despite an autoimmune disease that could have taken my eyesight, and other heart issues. My numbers went from 4.5 to 5.5 rather quickly as I’d been under a lot of stress with my health issues. But, like you, my doctor was clear that an operation at this age and stage of the aneurysm would not be advisable. A friend my age, with this condition, did have the operation and died so I knew that probably wasn’t a wise decision for me. But as I’m focusing on it, I recognize now that I am too alert and aware of something I have no control over. But I do want to learn how to do the best self-care as I can and ask of any of you what you know about and do as your life unfolds each day. I did a ChatGPT about it and was surprised how many suggestions they had. I’d prefer, though, to talk to real people about their actual advise and experience. So, please share whatever you’ve done to help yourselves through this. Thanks much.
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Surgery or no surgery? That is the question. I'm 79 with a 4.2 ascending aortic aneurysm. If it grows as slowly as I hope it will, I might make it to 84, the age at which my mother began her steep decline. If in the next year or two my AAA reacher 5, I'll have to decide what to do. Will the surgical techniques have improved substantially by then? Will I be healthy enough to endure the rigors of such an invasive operation? Would it be worth it for me and my family to have a prolonged, painful recovery? More and more, I'm leaning in your direction. Do the best I can now and hope for the best. Get my life in order (my husband has dementia) and enjoy what I'm fortunate to have in terms of family and friends. Those in our age cohort are thinking some very long, very deep thoughts: what is the meaning of all this? Who are we really, without the trappings of an acquired persona? Life is precious, all the more so for being of limited duration. None of us are getting out of this alive. It's what we do between now and the end that will determine how we're remembered, at least at first. I don't want to leave the people I love with images of me in extremis; I want them to remember me for the things I'm proudest of.