Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

@daisydays Thanks for your positivity, hugs. prayers and well wishes. Also thanks for your kind words in regards to my mom's passing . It has been 41 years, but seems like yesterday.
My acceptance of my aneurysm, wasn't overnight. Initially, I was shocked, overwhelmed and terrified. I had worked as a nurse for over 30 years, so my mind was reeling. I try to go to the positive, but it was very hard.
After a few years of monitoring, I am blessed that it hasn't changed. I started wondering just how long I've had it. I'm healthy. I never had any type of scans it may have shown up on. Maybe I've had it for many years. I wasn't worried about it then. I know now. I know about lifting restrictions, drugs I have to avoid, don't do anything straining. I'm active, have a healthy weight, eat well, good blood pressure. I get my follow ups and scans.
Other then the Cardiologist and scans, my life is no different than before the diagnosis, except I have the diagnosis. I didn't worry about it then, I don't worry about it now. I live in the moment. Life is too short for me to worry about something that may or may not grow. I don't worry about driving. Someone could run a stop sign and kill me before my aneurysm does.
You have survived cancer, only to hear you also have an aneurysm. Double Whammy!!! You are much stronger than you feel right now. My advice is to take it one minute at a time. Don't focus on it. You may have had it for years. Go to your follow ups, get your scans, follow your cardiologist instructions and live your life. You didn't lose your life when you were diagnosed with cancer. Don't lose it to this diagnosis. Those are my recommendations!! Along with the occasional ice cream. 😄 Take care!!!♥️🙏

@pegsterb - wonderful information. You are so right. There is a process of learning, accepting and then making choices. Just what do I want my life to look like? If anything, I find I am more grateful than ever. Each beautiful sunrise, a delicious meal, precious moments with loved ones are more appreciated than ever.
This is one of those things where we do whatever we can to monitor and maintain healthy habits and then let go, let God.
My Mom used to say that worrying was like rocking in a rocking chair. It won’t get you anywhere.
Worrying is also physiologically costly. It’s not healthy and can raise your bloom pressure.
One more tip- Americans are bad breathers. When in danger or in doubt, step back. Take some nice deep breaths. In through your nose and out through your mouth. I promise - it works!
:~)

Good morning,
I am 69 year old woman and my ascending aortic aneurysm was incidentally found when my primary care doctor heard an aortic murmur and an echocardiogram was done.
In the course of six months it has increased from 4.0 to 4.2 cm. I remain active doing yoga, Zumba, Pilates and hiking. The diagnosis changed my yoga practice where I no longer do inversion poses, I also limit heavy lifting. Thankfully, I have no symptoms! Notably, my provider suggested I notify my class instructors of my aneurysm. As a retired nurse, I am not eager for hospitalizations and remain hopeful that this can be treated with endovascular stenting. My preliminary research indicates that surgery is the only option at this time. :-(. I have ordered a medi alert bracelet because aneurysm dissection may clinically show up as a heart attack when in fact the treatment for this diagnosis is very different.
This is an informative forum!

@christinedwolf as others have mentioned, that’s a fairly large increase in a very short period of time and you should question the measurement and method, it is very rare for aneurysms to grow that fast (Echos are not very precise and measurements may vary a lot). On the other hand taking care of your body with exercise (understanding the limitations of any exertion that raises your BP like lifting weights that lead you to hold your breath) is very important, you want your body at its best if and when you ever need surgery, and unfortunately yes the only current option for ascending aneurysms is OH.

Mine was found after an MTB accident, I shattered my leg and while being prepped for surgery they found a 5.2 ascending aneurysm. That was considered very large for my body size, I had to wait 2 months for my leg to recover some before having the repair as they want you walking right after. Having exercised all my life I was in very good shape and my surgery went very smoothly, out of the hospital in 5 days, back to work in 3 weeks. The surgery is tough and painful but not as painful as a broken leg.

Keep taking care of yourself and your cardiologist should help you determine the right baseline and growth rate, using CT scan, that is very important as it will let them better establish your follow up plan and of course help you control your BP. I always recommend people to find a cardiologist who specializes in aortic diseases, not all of them do and it makes a huge difference.

All the best!!!

@christinedwolf Your mom is a very smart woman!! I like occasionally sitting in a rocking chair on the porch, but that is when I have nowhere to be and am enjoying the moment. I have learned to live more, in the moment. Hopefully I am also breathing correctly! 🙂
I saw that you mentioned your aneurysm growing from 4-4.2 cm in 6 months. Was that echo to echo measurement or did you have a CTA?? Measurements between the 2 studies, can differ. I get an echo every 6 months and those measurements do vary slightly, My yearly CTAs have been consistent.
Thankfully!!!
Is this a fairly new diagnosis? You've got a great attitude and you seem to be living pretty healthily. I am on my third year of scans. I learned what I should and shouldn't do, so those actions are routine now. The only time I really think about it is every 6 months, when I get my studies and see my cardiologist.
Best wishes and prayers on your journey!!! Enjoy a rocking chair every now and then and breath!!! 🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗