1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: Surgery postponed due to COVID-19, scared!

Posted by lynetteirizarry @lynetteirizarry, Apr 17, 2020

My AAA was diagnosed in March by EXray of my back. They said it was at 4.7 now, in last October it was 3.8 and I should see my vascular DR. So I called made an appointment, nurse said Yes you need to come in soon and made appointment for a week later...That appt got canceled and moved 3 weeks further away, then it gets canceled until further notice.....So I called back to explain its growing faster I need utra sound. Had to do Tele conference with Pa, she told me that even if it measured 5 CMs they would not do surgery until it was 6.5cm! Before it was 5, now because of virus its 6.5! Im sacred and very worried, are they only taking virus patients and the rest are left to suffer, or die? What the heck is going on, this is America, not third world country!!!

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 19, 2020
In reply to @twojunes2 "In addition to meditation and relaxation exercises, I'd like to point out the fact that the..." + (show)
@twojunes2

In addition to meditation and relaxation exercises, I'd like to point out the fact that the experts in this field are not rushing to operate until it reaches 6/6.5 to me indicates you are still not at risk. Also, being a patient in a hospital undergoing open heart surgery when the hospital is inundated with coronavirus patients, for which there is no cure presently, sounds like you are not only being protected from a horrific disease, but also have a good amount of time before your operation might be necessary. Personally, the last place I'd want to be now would be a hospital!

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Hello @twojunes2
You have provided some helpful ideas for @lynetteirizarry.

REPLY
hemth | @hemth | Nov 5, 2023
In reply to @cheryl66 "I think I understand what you are saying now. You think that because of the virus,..." + (show)
@cheryl66

I think I understand what you are saying now. You think that because of the virus, the Dr. has changed his criteria for surgery.

I truly don't think that is the case. I have a 4.9 and my appointment has been cancelled and delayed since last November. I am not overly concerned. I have been through this several times. 6.5 cm is a fairly common standard for initiating surgery. You would not believe the number of people walking around right now that have a 5cm aorta and don't even know it. They will die of something else before they die from a rupture.

My best advice, and I think I might have said this to you before a couple months ago. Do not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk, do not stain to poop.(sorry folks). If you have to hold your breath to go you shouldn't. Use stool softeners daily if necessary and keep your blood pressure down.

Please let me know if I can help you any further.

Cheryl

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Just Reading your comments is helping me. I'm not sure you are Lynette or Cheryl.
What can happen with the operation sounds scarier than the Aneurysm bursting. I am having a really hard time deciding Reoperation if EVAR leaks. Embolization, Renal compromise, bowel ischemia, and even limb loss. I looked these results up and sounds like a lot of the unknown and a lot of suffering. I might take this one way ticket to HEAVEN. Please
someone help me!! htreat2@comcast.net

REPLY
1 reply
dan1230 | @dan1230 | Nov 6, 2023
In reply to @hemth "Just Reading your comments is helping me. I'm not sure you are Lynette or Cheryl. What..." + (show)
@hemth

Just Reading your comments is helping me. I'm not sure you are Lynette or Cheryl.
What can happen with the operation sounds scarier than the Aneurysm bursting. I am having a really hard time deciding Reoperation if EVAR leaks. Embolization, Renal compromise, bowel ischemia, and even limb loss. I looked these results up and sounds like a lot of the unknown and a lot of suffering. I might take this one way ticket to HEAVEN. Please
someone help me!! htreat2@comcast.net

Jump to this post

Being scared of the unknown is natural. I had my abdominal open repair last December and up until the morning of surgery I still wasn't 100% sure. But 11 months later I can tell you it was the best decision I could have made! Dr. Mendes at Mayo and his Team were incredible! Not only to myself, but to my entire family. You can read about my procedure in a prior post. The best thing I can tell you is to trust your body and advocate for yourself. No one knows your body better than YOU! I did and put my trust in God and the doctors and without them, I wouldn't be here today.

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