Hi @lisabis68, @madscientist and all,
I've wanted to respond to the responses here since madscientist first posted but have not been ready until now--almost 7 months after being diagnosed. I thought I'd share what I've done since then, since I had the exact same feelings you're discussed
lisabis68 - I too, felt like I had a ticking time bomb in my chest after my TAA was discovered accidentally and being in a constant state of panic
madscientist - "I have always prided myself on being able to handle my stresses and stressors well; I don't believe that's true anymore. I'm not very good at all, but I don't know what to do to get better." That is a very tough place to be when you have been (interpreting your life here) very successful and feeling in control of your own destiny before.
tiger62 - "I’m still so anxious and constantly thinking about the unknown inevitable I have to pray and just keep praying to keep some type of sanity going on ..."
dewander501 - Like you, my root cause is hypertension, which was well-controlled by Lotrel 5/10 then suddenly wasn't. I also had (and still have) your focus on problem solving and being tough. Loved your story about Hurricane Ian and can relate to how life changing that was for you.
booklover - the importance of "having someone to talk with and help with solutions."
jeanrn01 - I agree 100@ with "speaking with my doctors seemed to help me a lot, and just having a plan in place"
So, what have I done in the past 7 months to deal with this better?
Basically I took the advice of the kind folks who initially responded at https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stress-management-high-blood-pressure-and-aortic-aneurisms/ and customized what they said to my needs. Knowing that I rely on problem-based coping, I reflected on what I saw as the main problems.
1. Blood pressure no longer well controlled - advocated for myself by talking to my cardiologist and PCP by emphasizing how big a problem I think that is and how I need their help managing it. While I really like both those providers, honestly they conveyed a more blase attitude that I felt was appropriate.
2. My biggest "self-management" issue was and continues to be anxiety. This is mostly produced by my job, which I love but which gets pretty intense at times. It also has roots in my exaggerated sense of always being able to create my own destiny.
I did 2 things about this: a) developed my own "protocol" consisting of prayer, meditation, journalling, making a serious effort to address the insomnia resulting from anxiety in the middle of the night, exercising (which is tough for me because I have a disability and have never been that active), and promoting relaxation in my daily life through apple-scented candles, periodic use of CBD oil, taking breaks during working hours by listening to music and doing things I enjoy).
I also worked on myself by cultivating more openness about talking with others about the aneurysm and practicing mindfulness by addressing things other than work (household stuff, always a low priority but remarkably helpful for learning to make mindfulness part of my day).
All of this has helped me a great deal--as a package, not any one thing. I can't emphasize that enough, it really is the little things that add up to gaining a better perspective. That said, I think communicating more and openly, assertively, and honestly with providers and family/friends have probably had the most impact. Most recently, I initiated a conversation with my cardiologist on "what do I do if I start having symptoms of aortic dissection (I imagine it would be too late with a rupture? Do I go to the nearest ER and trust they'll triage me appropriately? etc. He suggested I set up a consultation with a surgeon at the Aortic Center in our same health system, saying he'd referred others who reported they felt better after that. This was a game-changer, because the surgeon had "news I could use," specifically:
1. looking at the results of my CT scoring test and echo, he saw me as having a low risk of dissection BUT
2. ordered additional tests - CT scans of both thorax and abdomen, with and without contrast and a DNA test to see if I have any of the (very numerous) genetic markers that would put me at greater risk and potentially change my risk level.
3. I'm now enrolled in their aortic program with very specific directions on what to do if I have, specifically, severe chest pain radiating to my back.

I feel a lot better after this and very grateful for the milestones along my journey so far. [I've also continued the gratitude meditations I've done every day for ~ the past 5 years.] As soon as I heard about Grant Wahl's death, I had a hunch that the cause was an ascending aortic aneurysm! I feel that we can all have some measure of gratitude for finding out we have this condition, in spite of the anxiety it causes. And, I have to say I am very grateful for the support of this Mayo group and the opportunity to share hopes, fears, and triumphs with all of you.

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