Hey everyone, Just asking for some support.

[Gribur]

qick question. i was reading in Purdues thread that if you are having trouble swallowing or it hurts when you eat like food getting stuck in throat that it may be caused by an aorta that is on verge of rupture???? Can anyone see anything in my numbers that can tell the size or that specific measurement? I have had trouble swallowing and it hurts to swllow like food getting stuck for a month now and never thought anything of it, now I am freaking out.

 

[Duffey]

qick question. i was reading in Purdues thread that if you are having trouble swallowing or it hurts when you eat like food getting stuck in throat that it may be caused by an aorta that is on verge of rupture???? Can anyone see anything in my numbers that can tell the size or that specific measurement? I have had trouble swallowing and it hurts to swllow like food getting stuck for a month now and never thought anything of it, now I am freaking out.

You listed your aorta as 3.9 so that's not the cause of your swallowing problems.

 

[ElectLive]

qick question. i was reading in Purdues thread that if you are having trouble swallowing or it hurts when you eat like food getting stuck in throat that it may be caused by an aorta that is on verge of rupture???? Can anyone see anything in my numbers that can tell the size or that specific measurement? I have had trouble swallowing and it hurts to swllow like food getting stuck for a month now and never thought anything of it, now I am freaking out.

Larry - Scroll up to my last post for a discussion of your specific aorta measurement relative to the clinical guidelines. Now, about half of the patients with aneurysms have symptoms and half do not, even at much much larger sizes than your current measurement. For those that do, symptoms include: pain in the jaw, neck, and upper back, chest or back pain, and coughing, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing. Just so you know, that is straight off the Cleveland Clinic (#1 rated heart hospital in the US) disease overview page. It looks like your echo was just over a week ago, so you should feel pretty confident that it's accurate to your current condition. In other words, the swallowing problem you mention has been going on for a month, so not something new going on since your echo.

As I said earlier, your 3.9 cm aorta size is not overtly critical, but for the sake of argument, let's ignore that, since absolute size isn't the only determining factor. However, your echo report shows no indication of evidence of aortic dissection (tearing). Echo accuracy in diagnosing dissection varies a little, but I'm pretty sure I've read it is generally over 90% accurate. Now, on to rupture, which has a whole different degree of symptoms, basically so severe that you'll absolutely know it when it happens. They include: pain that is abrupt or instantaneous in onset, pain that is severe in intensity, pain that has a ripping, tearing, stabbing, or sharp quality. That list is from the ACC/AHA Thoracic Aortic Disease clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. Other diagnosis tools for a physician include pulse deficit and blood pressure limb differential among others.

So, what I'm basically trying to explain is that the information to date does not seem to suggest that your aorta is on the verge of rupture. I am not a doctor, so of course can't guarantee that, but based on monitoring you've had done so far, your doctor might actually rule that possibility out. Maybe you would even feel better discussing this all with him or her just for your own peace of mind? Of course, if you have any continuing symptoms similar to those listed above, or any changes, by all means, when in doubt, check it out.

 

[Lynlw]

You listed your aorta as 3.9 so that's not the cause of your swallowing problems.

Beside what Duffey told you, since your report says "The aortic root is normal size. Mild dilatation of the ascending aorta" So I wouldn't worry about Mild dialation. IF your Mildly dialated Aorta was your only concern they wouldn't even be talking surgery for a while (if ever) Your report says
Ao root diam: 2.9 cm
asc Aorta Diam: 3.8 cm
As others mentioned about the size is usually around 5.0 where the chances trisks of surgery (which are VERY low 1-2%,) outweigh the risks of a rupture so they would reccomend surgery. Many people have "mild" or "trace" measurements of their heart and never have any problem their whole life before they die of something not heart related if that helps to know

 

[Gribur]

ty guys, holy hypochondria on my part. it is so weird, before my appt when i founf out i needed surgery, the day before, i was running aroundthe house doing light housework as i have an injured back, acting normal as always. The day after i felt like a truck hit me, scared to move wrong, bend over, do anything strenuous at all and to this day still am. I think i am just scared to tempt fate until i am fixed, but I am also not really living each day. I am short of breath, have some chest pain and feel weak and dizzy but I know for a fact that some of it is anxiety and nerves are playing with me. Wow, this is just a huge pill to swallow and I am afraid I am not dealing with it as well as i should. It,s just that the entire death thing freakin scares me! anyways sorry for ranting, take care all and all the best in everything, god bless

 

[Duffey]

ty guys, holy hypochondria on my part. it is so weird, before my appt when i founf out i needed surgery, the day before, i was running aroundthe house doing light housework as i have an injured back, acting normal as always. The day after i felt like a truck hit me, scared to move wrong, bend over, do anything strenuous at all and to this day still am. I think i am just scared to tempt fate until i am fixed, but I am also not really living each day. I am short of breath, have some chest pain and feel weak and dizzy but I know for a fact that some of it is anxiety and nerves are playing with me. Wow, this is just a huge pill to swallow and I am afraid I am not dealing with it as well as i should. It,s just that the entire death thing freakin scares me! anyways sorry for ranting, take care all and all the best in everything, god bless

I think many of us experienced the same emotions when we first found out. It takes some time to accept that you're on a road that you'd just as soon never travel. You're doing exactly the right thing by relating your concerns so you can get feedback from others who have been through the same thing.
We all deal with it in our own way. I don't think one way is right and another is wrong. It is what it is.
We're here for you for the duration.

 

[escargome]

ty guys, holy hypochondria on my part. it is so weird, before my appt when i founf out i needed surgery, the day before, i was running aroundthe house doing light housework as i have an injured back, acting normal as always. The day after i felt like a truck hit me, scared to move wrong, bend over, do anything strenuous at all and to this day still am. I think i am just scared to tempt fate until i am fixed, but I am also not really living each day. I am short of breath, have some chest pain and feel weak and dizzy but I know for a fact that some of it is anxiety and nerves are playing with me. Wow, this is just a huge pill to swallow and I am afraid I am not dealing with it as well as i should. It,s just that the entire death thing freakin scares me! anyways sorry for ranting, take care all and all the best in everything, god bless

Hi Larry, OK you definately have permission to rant, be scared, scream, etc. However in my opinion (non-medical etc.) tis better to just focus on the immediate future (wedding on Sunday:biggrin2::thumbup You will be fine. If your doctor's didn't believe you needed immediate surgery, then trust their knowledge. I know it is easier said than done when I say stay calm, but I also think that with knowledge you gain daily (both on here and from your doctor's) eventually, you will feel confident that you can get better. Best wishes to you and your new wife and family.

 

[Gribur]

hello everyone. hope you are all well. We had our wedding and it ranked right up there with the birth of my 3 beautiful children, it was an incredible day, magical is more like it. We were in our own little world surrounded by family and friends and love, absolutely amazing, ty all for your blessings. Here is a pic of us on our day. Of course i have a million but this pretty much says it all, pure joy!

 

[RTZdad]

Congrats Larry. What a wonderful looking family! You're very blessed indeed.

Tom

 

[Bill B]

Larry:

Great picture of your family!

Also, I just looked at your report from a week ago. Despite the elevated pressure gradient across your calcified, severely stenotic aortic valve, you appear to be in great shape cardiac wise. You have a normal ejection fraction and basically normal left ventricle. Please don't worry. You are going to do well.

 

[Gribur]

ty

ty

Thanks Tom, I truly am blessed. Thank you also Bill, I am happy somebody understands the numbers and is kind enough to let me know that I may be going in , in a good position. Cheers all, God Bless.

 

[TheGymGuy]

This is a very nice shot. What a beautiful family. Looks like a great support system and plenty of reasons to get things done and recover faster.

 

[escargome]

Larry,
Wow, what a great picture of you and your family. It brought tears to my eyes (but then I always cry at weddings). I shall be thinking of you all on your surgery day, I wish you a successful surgery and a super fast bump free recovery. :biggrin2:

 

[Sarah_Louise]

Congratulations Larry!!
Love Sarah xx

 

[Gribur]

Hey Guys

Hey Guys

Well, it was a fairly busy week, wedding, pulmonary function tests (think thats what it was called, then my wifes birthday then a ct scan of the heart, wow, that was not what i expected, they say nice warm feeling, so i was like ya its going to feel like having a nice rye and coke, even though i have not had a drink in almost 8 years thats what i set myself up for. It was more like lava flow through the body, couldn't wait for that to end, then I was sick for 2 days after. Note to self, never have them use the contrast dye on me ever again. Then it was off for an easy one, the carotid Doppler and to end it off, Mothers day, Happy mothers day to all of you wonderful women. Now I am playing a game of hurry up and wait. I* am almost worried about the next step as I am feeling it may be the booking of the actual surgery and more tests to follow. I guess its time to find a comfy position as I am getting the feeling it's going to be a long ride. The only blessing with this wait time for tests to be done and the surgery date being set is it has temporarily brought my wife and I down a few notches on the panic scale and we have actually been able to live somewhat normally for the time being. I am guessing when the phone does ring we will be back into adrenaline pumping, mode with ours minds going wild again. I am just starting to read Adam Picks book so I am thinking that will help. A member on here was kind enough to send the book and an incision guard to me, great people on here, absolutely wonderful. Well thats the story as it goes so far, hope you are all as well as can be and keep in touch and I will do the same. God bless and take care
Larry

 

[SusQ]

Waiting for that all important date is hell.

My hubby just had his surgery on may 8. He had a bicuspid AVR with root and ascending aorta replacement. His aorta was measuring 4.9 and his regurge was moderate to severe. His wonderful surgeon said we had time, but not a lot. In February he gave us the okay to wait until after our previously scheduled cruise (paid for before we knew he even had this condition), but said it could not wait until next January after his next busy season at work. Plus, he'd been given weight restrictions that would not allow him to do the work he normally did anyway.

Once you have a date or timeframe, it is easier to deal with. Though like someone.else suggested, get something to help you deal with the anxiety. That alone is no good for your heart either.

Good luck.

 

[Gribur]

Appointment?

Appointment?

Well, I figured this call was coming soon. I have been referred to a Dr. Ray Guo at University Hospital in London Ontario. Since many of you have been through this I am making an assumption that you may have some links, connections ETC that may be able to help me out. I am wondering if any of you have heard of him or if you could use any sites etc you may have to try to help me find out this surgeons reputation. I am supposed to meet with him on the 28th of May and will also be having my pre admission work taken care of along with a meeting with the anesthesiologist. Lets just say I have now gone from 0 to 60 when it comes to nerves and this is only the beginning lol. I was told that I can expect the surgery approx. 2-3 weeks after the appointment. Thanks for any help with this one, god bless everyone and talk soon
Larry

 

[Gribur]

I did some searching and found out Dr Ray Guo is also dr. lin-rui guo. Hope this helps somebody help me in finding out how good he is.
Thank you