1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Mayo surgeon recommends surgery for Aneurysm/Aortic valve

Posted by trki @trki, 3 days ago

Just an update... My husband met with a surgeon at Mayo today. She is recommending an aortic valve replacement with a bovine valve and an aortic root aneurysm replacement.

She indicated OK to schedule in three to six months, but also OK with surgery being scheduled next month.

She seemed to think that his valve regurgitation was severe and that the rate of growth of his aneurysm was concerning. His Aneurysm is 4.9 cm (CT January 2025), 5.1 cm on Echo.

I was a bit surprised that she didn't want to wait until the aneurysm reached 5.0 on CT...but also concerned with the fast growth of his aneurysm.

So I guess its Go time!

A question...for those who have had surgery, is there good benefit to having your spouse stay overnight while patient is hospitalized.? He doesn't want me to spend nights at the hospital, but I really believe there is benefit to having your person there for support and advocacy.

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

eunice18 | @eunice18 | 2 days ago

Make sure you are taking care of yourself as well as him! ❤️

REPLY
1 reply
trki | @trki | 2 days ago
In reply to @eunice18 "Make sure you are taking care of yourself as well as him! ❤️" + (show)
@eunice18

Make sure you are taking care of yourself as well as him! ❤️

Jump to this post

Thanks… I will…

REPLY
houston13 | @houston13 | 2 days ago

I had my surgery 5 years ago, the first couple of days I was in ICU so there were no allowances for someone to stay with me, and after that they are checking on you so often that having someone there would just mean two people not resting. In my case I just wanted my wife to rest, I advocated for myself when needed. As others have said care givers need to be cared for also, just make sure you are resting!!

REPLY
1 reply
trki | @trki | 2 days ago
In reply to @houston13 "I had my surgery 5 years ago, the first couple of days I was in ICU..." + (show)
@houston13

I had my surgery 5 years ago, the first couple of days I was in ICU so there were no allowances for someone to stay with me, and after that they are checking on you so often that having someone there would just mean two people not resting. In my case I just wanted my wife to rest, I advocated for myself when needed. As others have said care givers need to be cared for also, just make sure you are resting!!

Jump to this post

Thanks for responding… I appreciate your perspective!
I know my husband wants me to sleep at home and also take care of our two geriatric dogs… of course I would take care of the dogs no matter what .
I’m just highly anxious about hospital care … I’ve experienced problems with care while hospitalized with other loved ones .

REPLY
1 reply
richardhadley | @richardhadley | 2 days ago

Having been home just a week from similar surgery, I'd say you both would be better off if you stayed across the street at the Homewood Suites rather than in the hospital. I spent 3 days in ICU and 4 more in the step-down PCU. That's longer than usual, but that was because I ended up needing a permanent pacemaker implanted, which is another surgical procedure. Actually, surgery itself was almost a non-event. I was wheeled out to the OR about 7:30 AM, surgery started an hour or so later, and I'm told I was in recovery about 5 PM, but I remember nothing until I woke up in the ICU later that evening. We boarded our pets, and my wife stayed across the street and was able to visit me as much as either of us wanted.

REPLY
2 replies
trki | @trki | 1 day ago
In reply to @richardhadley "Having been home just a week from similar surgery, I'd say you both would be better..." + (show)
@richardhadley

Having been home just a week from similar surgery, I'd say you both would be better off if you stayed across the street at the Homewood Suites rather than in the hospital. I spent 3 days in ICU and 4 more in the step-down PCU. That's longer than usual, but that was because I ended up needing a permanent pacemaker implanted, which is another surgical procedure. Actually, surgery itself was almost a non-event. I was wheeled out to the OR about 7:30 AM, surgery started an hour or so later, and I'm told I was in recovery about 5 PM, but I remember nothing until I woke up in the ICU later that evening. We boarded our pets, and my wife stayed across the street and was able to visit me as much as either of us wanted.

Jump to this post

Thanks … that sounds perfect!

I hope you continue to heal well!

REPLY
rlhix | @rlhix | 20 hours ago
In reply to @richardhadley "Having been home just a week from similar surgery, I'd say you both would be better..." + (show)
@richardhadley

Having been home just a week from similar surgery, I'd say you both would be better off if you stayed across the street at the Homewood Suites rather than in the hospital. I spent 3 days in ICU and 4 more in the step-down PCU. That's longer than usual, but that was because I ended up needing a permanent pacemaker implanted, which is another surgical procedure. Actually, surgery itself was almost a non-event. I was wheeled out to the OR about 7:30 AM, surgery started an hour or so later, and I'm told I was in recovery about 5 PM, but I remember nothing until I woke up in the ICU later that evening. We boarded our pets, and my wife stayed across the street and was able to visit me as much as either of us wanted.

Jump to this post

I agree. I spent 3 days in ICU and 6 in step down after 14 hours of surgery. My family had a B&B 5 minutes from the hospital for 10 days.

REPLY
1 reply
trki | @trki | 18 hours ago
In reply to @rlhix "I agree. I spent 3 days in ICU and 6 in step down after 14 hours..." + (show)
@rlhix

I agree. I spent 3 days in ICU and 6 in step down after 14 hours of surgery. My family had a B&B 5 minutes from the hospital for 10 days.

Jump to this post

Thanks for your feedback!

REPLY
1 reply
rlhix | @rlhix | 16 hours ago
In reply to @trki "Thanks for your feedback!" + (show)
@trki

Thanks for your feedback!

Jump to this post

At least one of my family was there most of the time after surgery. I knew they were just a few minutes away if they weren't.

REPLY
1 reply
trki | @trki | 15 hours ago
In reply to @rlhix "At least one of my family was there most of the time after surgery. I knew..." + (show)
@rlhix

At least one of my family was there most of the time after surgery. I knew they were just a few minutes away if they weren't.

Jump to this post

I think it is comforting to know that loved ones are nearby and being vigilant on one’s behalf!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.