Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

@daisydays So sorry you are going through all of this, but happy to hear that your cancer was caught early. To me cancer is a much scarier diagnosis than aneurysm.
I was diagnosed at 4.2 cm a couple years ago. I had just retired at 70 from nursing. I'm in good health. Not overweight. Very active. Eat well. Probably not as well as you,🙂 but I majored in Dietetics , until my mom died from a brain tumor and I changed my major to nursing. I'm still very much a foodie though.. I can or freeze local produce. Bake with sourdough starter.
The aneurysm diagnosis made me stop and reevaluate a lot of things. I live more in the moment now. I stress less about little things. It might be my age, but I've accepted that I have an aneurysm, and it doesn't scare me anymore.
You have been through a lot and remain so positive. I think you are doing everything you can, except one thing. I think you need to have an ice cream every now and then. Life is too short!! Have a small one.
Sending prayers, hugs and well wishes on this journey!! You've got it!!!!🙏🙏🙏♥️

@cindyilges I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. I had an aortic dissection 11 years ago, and I have had trouble swallowing ever since. I’ve also been involved with UT Texas aortic research, and I can tell you that compression of the esophagus from an enlarged or dissected aorta is a very real phenomenon.

Over the years I’ve learned to make some pretty deliberate adjustments in how and what I eat. I avoid heavy, dry starches like potatoes and fibrous foods such as shredded chicken or tuna unless they have a lot of mayonnaise or dressing. I try to chew everything until the pieces are extremely small—ideally no bigger than a grain of rice. Ground hamburger generally gives me very little trouble, while steak can be much more difficult. Water helps but it has to me pretty continuous as I eat. If food gets stuck it's too late and I just struggle till it finally passes down. I eat a lot of yogurt and softer foods, and when I eat grains I tend toward smaller, softer ones such as couscous or oatmeal. You gradually learn which foods work and which ones simply aren’t worth the trouble. Despite having difficulty swallowing for all these years, I can assure you that I have NOT managed to lose any weight in the 11 years since my dissection! Funny how that works.

One frustrating part of this is that many heart doctors simply don’t encounter esophageal compression from an aortic aneurysm or dissection very often. In my own case, the first time I saw it clearly on one of my high-definition scans, I immediately understood what was happening, and so did my thoracic surgeon. Some of the cardiologists I have seen, however, have been surprisingly unfamiliar with the phenomenon. I get tired of trying to explain it to them because unless they themselves have had an aortic dissection they just are never going to understand it. So if you're finding yourself unheard, get used to it because it is just something that gets missed in medical school for these folks and it's not their fault. That said, it's a real thing and most of them just do not internalize the fact that if you're aorta is enlarged it compresses the other structures within your thoracic region, and because your esophagus lies next to your aorta in between your spine and your sternum, there's no place for it to go except to get squished. You're not imagining it. When doctors give you a dumb look on this point, shoot it right back. So please know that what you are experiencing can have an anatomical explanation and deserves to be taken seriously, particularly since your CT has actually documented compression. I’m very glad you are seeing a thoracic surgeon.

I really feel for you. You can make adjustments to what you eat and how you eat that may help greatly while your doctors sort out the underlying problem. I’m sorry you’re going through this, and I hope your appointment goes well and that you continue to do well. Peace.

Hello @ pegsterb
Thank you very much for the warm welcome.
As well for your thoughts, so appreciated !
I’m sorry you are dealing with this too, and glad you are doing positive things for your health as well.
Wow, and canning and freezing… so smart to have that nutrition handy year round.
I’m sorry about your Mom, must have been very difficult.
Yes, between the cancer diagnosis and now this, I have reevaluated some things as well. That’s great that you have accepted and are no longer scared of your aneurysm. I’m glad to know this, as I’ve been processing this, that has been my goal.
Thank you for your thoughts, and Hahahaha lol you are funny, I laughed loudly… and I do miss ice cream 🍨
Thank you very much for the encouragement, well wishes, hugs and prayers.
I’m sending them all right back to you too !
Hugs 🤗 Daisy

@daisydays Thanks for your positivity, hugs. prayers and well wishes. Also thanks for your kind words in regards to my mom's passing . It has been 41 years, but seems like yesterday.
My acceptance of my aneurysm, wasn't overnight. Initially, I was shocked, overwhelmed and terrified. I had worked as a nurse for over 30 years, so my mind was reeling. I try to go to the positive, but it was very hard.
After a few years of monitoring, I am blessed that it hasn't changed. I started wondering just how long I've had it. I'm healthy. I never had any type of scans it may have shown up on. Maybe I've had it for many years. I wasn't worried about it then. I know now. I know about lifting restrictions, drugs I have to avoid, don't do anything straining. I'm active, have a healthy weight, eat well, good blood pressure. I get my follow ups and scans.
Other then the Cardiologist and scans, my life is no different than before the diagnosis, except I have the diagnosis. I didn't worry about it then, I don't worry about it now. I live in the moment. Life is too short for me to worry about something that may or may not grow. I don't worry about driving. Someone could run a stop sign and kill me before my aneurysm does.
You have survived cancer, only to hear you also have an aneurysm. Double Whammy!!! You are much stronger than you feel right now. My advice is to take it one minute at a time. Don't focus on it. You may have had it for years. Go to your follow ups, get your scans, follow your cardiologist instructions and live your life. You didn't lose your life when you were diagnosed with cancer. Don't lose it to this diagnosis. Those are my recommendations!! Along with the occasional ice cream. 😄 Take care!!!♥️🙏

Hi @pegsterb
You are most welcome. Thank you for taking the time to share this with me and for all the heartfelt recommendations.
I have felt the same way, my Mom passed 27 years ago this winter and it feels like yesterday, still.
Yes, shock and scared… those were my very first feelings too, I cant imagine being a nurse with all you know ! You’ve done well coping despite that extra knowledge.
I’m glad for you that you haven’t had changes after years of scans ! That is just so wonderful ! Yay you !
I said that to my husband, it felt like a double whammy.
I do believe that having faced lung cancer, it gave me lots of practice processing the emotions that come with health challenges. It has no doubt helped me with this aorta diagnosis.
I believe worry is a waste of precious energy and doesn’t help our health certainly.
It’s great how you look at all this, and yes, we know what we can and shouldn’t do…. see our cardiologist, have scans.
As well we know to have a little ice cream once in a blue moon too 🍨
I’m glad you are here at Mayo, you have been a great comfort to me and I bet many others.
Positive thoughts and prayers continue coming your way.
Hugs 🤗 Daisy

@daisydays. This is a great forum to come to for questions and support. It is where I came when first diagnosed. I had not been to the site for quite some time. In September after my most recent CTA, I checked my email and saw one from Mayo clinic, so I signed back on.
I think as I was processing my diagnosis, I had to step away from the fears of others, in order to confront my own fears, my own way.
I am glad I was back on to offer you some small comfort. Even with everything you have been through and are going through, you are a ray of sunshine. It's just the feeling I get. It could be your name,"Daisy", but I think it's the positivity in your words. Your mom would be very proud!! I think you are a very strong woman and will face this new diagnosis, as you faced the lung cancer one. Stay strong and stay well!!!🤗♥️🙏

Good Morning @pegsterb,
I so relate to that. I peeked in when I was first diagnosed. I as well think I needed to just process my diagnosis further, I was simply not ready to join just yet. Until now 😊
I agree, this is a great forum… so many caring people giving helpful information. I’m grateful for Mayo Connect. It’s good to be able to talk with those who truly understand what you are feeling and going through.
I’m glad you signed back on !
Thank you for your sweet and kind words, positivity I feel has been imperative for me to get through tough times.
You are as well a positive person, you have a great way of looking at life and are as well a very strong woman. Go us !
Thank you ! 😊
Hugs 🤗 Daisy

I received a diagnosis of an aortic aneurysm 20 yrs ago. It is noe 3.7 cm. I feel afraid and alone.