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Operation EVAR
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am 77 years old, in good shape, with an aortic aneurysm measuring 4.8 to 5.3 cm, depending on the vascular surgeon measuring it. At any rate I am relying on Dr. Black at Johns Hopkins who says it is 5.3.
I am scheduled to go into the hospital on July 3 for the operation. Dr. Black says, "No sweat Nick, you will be out the next day, and playing golf in two weeks. After my consult with Dr. Black, Johns Hopkins sent me a video explaining the procedure. The video was straight forward about the procedure. Then it explained the complications. I have to admit the complications scare the shit out of me. The complications reminded me of when I was in Vietnam. I was a helicopter pilot making combat assaults. The intelligence guys would come in before the mission and say "On final approach you can expect 50 Caliber machine gun fire, when you slow down to land you can expect rocket propelled grenades coming at you and when you land to let out your troops there will be little people in pith helmets with AK-47s shooting at your helicopter." Anyway, I am worried. I needed to get this off my chest. I will try to let you all know the outcome.
Nick
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Nick, from one retired Army rotary wing aviator to another, I wish you the best of luck and of outcomes with your surgery. I will be following your progress. I am about 10 years behind you at 67. I just barely missed Vietnam. I DID get the all expenses paid working vacation in Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War. I spent a year there flying MEDEVAC with the 45th MEDEVAC flying modified UH-60 Blackhawks. I was able to get a few hundred hours in UH-1's and another few hundred hours UH-1 simulator prior to transitioning to UH-60's.
I can certain identify with your concerns and fears with respect to the aortic aneurysm. Experiencing the "bufferflies"/queasy stomach just prior to a live combat mission is one thing. That is what we trained for and had some references in our minds through training on how to respond and what to expect. How in the world do we train for dealing with an aortic aneurysm or the potential surgery that may be before us? I suppose we mentally carry over to some degree our aviation training. The most important thing, no matter what happens is to establish control and continue flying the aircraft. In some instances, doing this in our lives is easier said than done yet we give it our best shot.
You have beat tremendous odds to make it this far in your life and seem to be handling things well. I am confident and have faith you will come out on the other side of surgery successful and just fine. You stated "Anyway, I am worried"............ I am too brother. Like you, I have a LOT more life to live and grand babies & children to watch grow up, the next stage in our lives with my devoted and beautiful wife who has been with me for 40 years. Just like before a big or dangerous mission or even a checkride, anyone who said they did not have the bufferflies, jitters, or some fears was LYING or not mentally rapped correctly.
God speed, best of luck, and I will leave you with a familiar rotary wing aviator good luck wish to "keep the greasy side DOWN! Most importantly is that in these matters your prayer and faith in God DOES matter. HE hears us.
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