1. < Aortic Aneurysms

7.9cm looking for support

Posted by 31ker @31ker, Nov 8 5:42pm

Hello all
I’m a 66 year old fit and healthy man or so I thought I was until I had a routine bladder scan just other day and they found a Abdominal Aortic Aneurism 7.9 Cm
What’s that I thought ? It sounds bad !
They sent me to ER and they checked me out and I have no symptoms and normal blood pressure
They made an appointment to see a vascular surgeon and he has explained to me what’s happening and what needs to be done
He has booked in for a CT scan in 4 days before booking me in for surgery
My surgeon says I will have a new Aorta before Christmas
I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet just how seriously life changing this is but I’m trying to stay positive
Just looking for some support as up until now I’ve never really been sick and always been healthy
It’s hard for me and my family to look forward but we have to be positive as there is no other way and really no option other than to get this done
Planning the less invasive option for a quicker recovery with ongoing checks and scans
So if you have on of these time bombs in your belly like me just be positive !
Life is always challenging

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

31ker | @31ker | Nov 10 5:44pm
In reply to @mikeneverwired "Life is challenging for sure but you should be very thankful they found your aneurysm in..." + (show)
@mikeneverwired

Life is challenging for sure but you should be very thankful they found your aneurysm in time to fix it. I hope your surgeon has done these procedures before as it is a complex operation. ...but do not fear! I had my surgery in late Feb, took it easy for a few months (mostly walking 10k steps daily), then got right back to more strenuous workouts including hiking and biking. So you will be fine, but don't over exert in those few weeks post surgery... let your chest heal!

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Thanks for your reply
Appreciate you sharing your story
Yes my vascular surgeon has done a lot of this type surgery
CT scan on Wednesday and hopefully surgery shortly after
😎

REPLY
31ker | @31ker | Nov 10 5:52pm
In reply to @mikeneverwired "Hi Roger, Well, I had a little AFIB episode while biking last summer. I didn't think..." + (show)
@mikeneverwired

Hi Roger,

Well, I had a little AFIB episode while biking last summer. I didn't think about it but did ask my doc for a referral just in case something was amiss. Anyway, they did an ECG (echo) and found an ascending aortic aneurysm of 5.4cm and the cardiologist referred me to a surgeon. That's about when I realized this was real. I stayed in shape, mostly by walking (a lot) and had the operation in late Feb down at St. Anthony's in Denver. So it wasn't a last minute thing but with yours at 7.9cm, I'd get it addressed sooner rather than later.

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Yes it’s 7.9cm
CT scan being done this Wednesday and surgery to follow shortly after
To say I’m taking it easy at the moment is an understatement
Thanks for your support

REPLY
rogerdhorton | @rogerdhorton | Nov 11 12:20am

Hi mike- I’m not the one with a 7.9 but I do have a thoracic ascending 4.4 (65yo male). Thx so much for your openness/feedback - it is much appreciated to check other people’s stories, and in particular, great to see you’re in recovery mode 😌
I’m in “watchful waiting” mode so I avoid lifting heavy stuff and take my BP meds.
Cheers 🍻

REPLY
23997929 | @23997929 | Nov 11 8:38am
In reply to @mikeneverwired "Hi Roger, Well, I had a little AFIB episode while biking last summer. I didn't think..." + (show)
@mikeneverwired

Hi Roger,

Well, I had a little AFIB episode while biking last summer. I didn't think about it but did ask my doc for a referral just in case something was amiss. Anyway, they did an ECG (echo) and found an ascending aortic aneurysm of 5.4cm and the cardiologist referred me to a surgeon. That's about when I realized this was real. I stayed in shape, mostly by walking (a lot) and had the operation in late Feb down at St. Anthony's in Denver. So it wasn't a last minute thing but with yours at 7.9cm, I'd get it addressed sooner rather than later.

Jump to this post

Could you share who the doctor was that did your AA surgery at St Anthony’s ? Thanks

REPLY
1 reply
ron46 | @ron46 | Nov 12 9:01am
In reply to @23997929 "Could you share who the doctor was that did your AA surgery at St Anthony’s ?..." + (show)
@23997929

Could you share who the doctor was that did your AA surgery at St Anthony’s ? Thanks

Jump to this post

I live in Colorado and would like to know who performed the surgery at St. Anthony's as well and why you chose him/her?

REPLY
1 reply
mikeneverwired | @mikeneverwired | Nov 12 1:17pm
In reply to @ron46 "I live in Colorado and would like to know who performed the surgery at St. Anthony's..." + (show)
@ron46

I live in Colorado and would like to know who performed the surgery at St. Anthony's as well and why you chose him/her?

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My surgeon was Dr. Patrick Rudersdorf at Common Spirit Health. He was recommended to me by my cardiologist at CO Heart and Vascular who said that Dr. Rudersdorf 'geeks out' on these kinds of procedures. He also has a good track record of success.

REPLY
1 reply
23997929 | @23997929 | Nov 12 1:54pm
In reply to @mikeneverwired "My surgeon was Dr. Patrick Rudersdorf at Common Spirit Health. He was recommended to me by..." + (show)
@mikeneverwired

My surgeon was Dr. Patrick Rudersdorf at Common Spirit Health. He was recommended to me by my cardiologist at CO Heart and Vascular who said that Dr. Rudersdorf 'geeks out' on these kinds of procedures. He also has a good track record of success.

Jump to this post

Thanks a lot !

REPLY
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