Do you mean the friends who died (presumably from a burst aneurysm) had aneurysms below the recommended-for-surgery level?

Or even that they hadn't known they had an aneurysm at all? Why did you have the self-pay CT scan? Because you didn't trust your docs' measurements or because their testing intervals were too far apart to make you feel safe in your present measurements?

Not really pertinent, but a personal anecdote - my ex-husband just passed away two months ago from a burst aneurysm. In his case, he knew very well he was past medical recommendations (a reputable local hospital and the Cleveland Clinic. had told him he was in great danger owing to the size of his aneurysm, but he just didn't have the nerve - afraid he's die in surgery.) Finally, his wife ramped up the pressure and he returned to the Cleveland Clinic, which lined up surgery for two weeks after that date (I think they insisted he stop smoking for that period). Whatever, not far from the Clinic while returning home to wait, he collapsed while filling his tank with fuel.

Before this, I was ignorant about this condition - now I've read a good bit including this online conversation. I have tremendous sympathy for you sufferers. The surgery really is a terrifying "Damocles Sword" to have hanging over your heads - also pre-surgery, quality of life-limiting, to never know what activity level is safe.

I'm glad you can support each other here. Perhaps if he'd been a member, he could have been reassured enough to go through with surgery despite the risks. Also to quit smoking at least before the operation. My sons were of course told to be checked. Without such recommendations, how else do people get the diagnosis? It's not that common a condition.