@kitspeirs, @rms, @cass57 and all..Your info is helpful, concerning to me. My precious aneurysm is ascending thoracic...grrrrr...48, growing some and with vasculitis it may be weaker. It's lengthening as well. So, yuck.

I see you having the surgery and recovery well. I'm not sure the same vision shines over my sternum. At 76, with multiple issues, several in serious category, I don't think the open surgery is possible. But, that is not a decision for today. Like Scarlette said, I'll think about that tomorrow. I have a plateful now that keeps me super busy...and, I've learned the last couple of years to accept where I am, who I am, the body I have. May not be pleased with what I see, but I do accept it is.

Had a wonderful pool time yesterday. 95 degree water is like velvet on my skin, and I actually relaxed so deeply I had trouble walking. Amazing. If at all possible, available, I highly recommend a pt therapy pool for -relaxation of muscles deeply tight from years of anxiety and damage and misuse, mind too often filled with fears and what-ifs and rage at the pain from life, joints so painful from age and damage and misuse, and emotions so confused and heightened from all the above. I relaxed, thoroughly, through and through. Try it or do something similar just for you.

B blessings, elizabeth