Thanks to everyone that replied to my original message. Since this thread popped back up, thought I'd post a follow-up. The surgeon that is monitoring my aorta scheduled another CT. I think it was for 6 months from the larger measurement, but my memory is unreliable I think. At any rate, he had his office schedule an appointment and I met with him. Up to that point I had interacted with his PA. He answered all my questions and it was reassuring to meet with the surgeon himself. The next CT showed 4.5 again. It was read by a different technician, and I guess the leads to more variation. But at any rate, I think it's stable enough to not be considering immediate surgery. I believe we've gone back to a 12 month monitoring schedule, but I haven't been told that officially.

For anyone reading this at the initial stages, I'll mention that I was absolutely terrified at first. I also felt like I had been left on my own to deal with it. My PCP (a PA) made a referral and that office (same one as above) couldn't get me in for months. I met with my PCP and asked my questions, but she didn't have the answers I was desperate for. Over time, I've realized that it is not the emergency I thought it was and that the health care system is overburdened. Looking back, meeting within a few months doesn't seem optimal, but also not unreasonable. Reading on my own was helpful, but I've had a technical education and so was fortunate enough to get some sense of the numbers. I'm really concerned at how overburdened the health care system is and that also frightens me a lot now. I can't unravel the complexities of the health care system, but I try to do my bit by exercising and staying away from fast food and processed foods. My husband is a great cook and loves it. He also loves a healthy lifestyle, so I have it easy.

Good luck to anyone just starting out. Thanks to everyone that participates in this community. It was so helpful then, and continues to be.