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Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: Dec 11 7:12pm | Replies (581)Comment receiving replies
Hello everyone! As you can all guess, I just received a diagnosis of an ascending aortic aneurysm (5.3cm) this past Friday and have been feeling pretty discouraged ever since. I am 47y old and a busy mother of 4. No obvious symptoms until a fainting episode about a month ago prompted me to seek the consult with my GP.
EKG and nuclear stress tests did not show any abnormalities but the echocardiogram results came back with the news of the aneurysm of 5cm. I ended up st the ER yesterday as I was once again experiencing the same sensations that preceded my syncope. Had the CAT scan done and it showed the aneurysm at 5.3cm. My blood pressure was way higher than I ever had, in fact I used to be more if s low blood pressure person.
I am seeing thoracic surgeon at Regions in Saint Paul and hoping to find out more what’s the next step. Needless to say, I spent hours following the diagnosis trying to educate myself. Most of the available data and research relates to older age groups and so I am hoping to find some further information and feedback from the community
here and perhaps younger patients as well. It is a very scary feeling to know that at any time things might go wrong and I am terribly worried about my family. Thank you all for having this forum and for any advice you might offer. All and any will be greatly appreciated...
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Azzurro1999,
Hello! Just under 6 years ago, I was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm. I was 48 at the time. I was not aware that I had a problem until I just collapsed one day. I worked full time and was very active. I thought everything was fine! Little did I know....
This surgery is a very serious surgery. If you are happy with the surgeon at Regions, that’s great. I would highly recommend that anybody about to have surgery, especially such a complex surgery, should find the best doctor that their insurance will cover.
The surgery is definitely survivable, as per all the post surgery people conversing on this site. The recovery is painful but will gradually get better. You will be in ICU for several days before you are moved to another wing. The nurses will fuss over you (this is good). You’ll be turned from one side to another to prevent bed sores. Moving around in bed will really hurt. The doctor will want you up and sitting, then walking, within a couple days of surgery. You’ll be thinking “are they kidding me, I hurt” but you’ll do it anyway. While in ICU, you’ll be “eating” a lot of broth and drinking liquids. You will be amazed at the number of drainage tubes sticking out of your chest and abdomen post surgery. Dressing changes will be frequent. You’ll learn to love the catheter and bed pan ( ha ha). Sleeping may be a little challenging due to all people coming in and out, especially while in ICU: nurses, phlebotomists, doctors, janitors, nutritionist, heart monitor people, x ray technicians, physical therapists... to name a few.
You may want to consider bringing a few personal items for your comfort: ex. Phone, tablet, favorite toiletries, underwear, slippers.
Consider what type of help you will need at home as well as who will help you at home when you are finally released from the hospital. You won’t be doing a whole lot. Your sternum, heart, aorta and incisions need time to heal. No driving, no cleaning, no cooking, no lifting etc. You may need help showering. A shower stool was a big help.
It is a big surgery. I had two surgeries three months apart for this. Your situation sounds a little more straight forward than mine was. I had unforeseen complications. But here I am 6 years later.
I wish you all the best.
Natalie
So. California