Coryp,
I will be more than happy to help you any way I can. My aneurysm was just a tad smaller than yours (4.5cm). It did never caused me any pain. There is no telling how long it has been there. My cardiologist thought that my aortic root would probably need to be repaired or replaced. When we spoke to the surgeon, he said he would not be able to tell what may need to be done to the root until the surgery. As it turned out, the surgeon said the root was fine. The only thing that needed to be done was the valve replaced, and the
aneurysm repaired.
I am not sure which is worse, having time to wonder if I need surgery and when (as was my case) or in your case needing it very soon. I do have several suggestions for in 2 catagories
A. Before the surgery
1. In the event that something would happen (not that it would), the surgery does have risks, but the alternative would not be good. In light of that, make certain you have a will and a living will. Please do not take chances. Make your wishes known now.
2. Do not try and get everything done before the surgery, it will not happen. I tried but finally gave up. It is not worth the stress, especially before surgery.
3. If your surgery will be out of town and you have a spouse or someone who will be with you, start checking the location of a hotel, many hotels offer rates for people who are there because of a relative having surgery. For example, my surgery was done at the University of Alabama Hospital - Birmingham (UAB). The Raddison was only two blocks away. My wife, parents, brother and my sister-in-law were all able to get UAB rates.
4. Bring tapes, CDs, whatever helps you to relax. I did not feel like reading for several days, but the CDs helped me to relax. Also, if you wear contacts but also have glasses, bring the glasses. After the surgery ask for them, it may help to put you at ease because you can see what is going on around you. You may not feel like putting in contacts for the first few days.
5. Regardless of where you have the surgery, it is important to have a relative or friend with you as much as possible. However, they will also need their own down time. Whoever is with you should ask questions, such as what are those pills for, ask for specifics such as what did the x-ray show. Do not accept generalities. This also extremely important when getting your instructions for discharge, (which should also be in writing). You will probably not be able to remember most of the instructions.
6. Start now to review many of the posts in the pre-surgery and post-surgery threads. You will find many suggestions and experiences there as well.
7. Plan on being gone from work for at least 6 weeks. I went back full-time at 6 weeks and am exhausted by end of the day.
B. After the surgery
1. you will start to walk shortly after you get out of ICU. Start slow, but do walk as often as your doctor will allow.
2. Use the incentive sperometer. It will help your lungs. Make it your new toy for a while.
3. When you feel like coughing try to cross your arms, place a hand on each shoulder, slightly pull toward the inside of your chest. The will help lessen the pain when you cough. I was not told about this until after I was out of the hospital and started physical therapy. To me that was a whole better than just grapping a pillow. I still do it from time to time.
4. Watch for sudden weight gain, swelling on any part of the body, especially feet and ankles and increasing shortness of breath. This may be a sign of fluid build-up. That is what happened to me. I gained 10 pounds in just 5 days after surgery (it was not because of the food). My wife kept trying to tell the nurses and surgical resident there was a problem, they denied it. I went home, 24 hours later, my wife had to call rescue because I had gone into congestive heart failure. Unfortunately that is one of the risks of the surgery. I was in a local hospital for 9 more days.
5. As your recovery progresses, you may feel like you can do more, DON'T.
I have to remind myself of that on a daily basis. You do not want do anything that would cause you to go back into the hospital.
Last but not least, talk to someone before and after the surgery. Tell them your fears, what you are currently experiencing and so forth. Standby, your emotions and mood will swing greatly after the surgery. It happens, do not be ashamed of it. It is perfectly normal after this type of surgery.
I sincerely hope these suggestions will be of help to you.
I do not pretend to have all of the answers, I can only share with you what I know from experience. Please do not be afraid to ask me more questions or anyone else in this site. Others may be able to mention something I have not. If you like, you send me a private message at any time.
Take Care,
Karl
coryp said:
Hello,
It would seem as if I am in the same boat as you were. I am going for my third surgical consult tomorrow as I have been diagnosed with an Aortic Bisucpid valve (2 years ago) which has most likey lead to me having this Ascending aortic aneurysm (4.8cm). This is the real reason for surgery as it has caused me pain and the size is now dangerous. It seems like they will have to replant the root as well (not sure if this is standard, did they do it for you?). I also did an Angiogram Friday and it looks as if 1/2 the Arch is larger as well so this may have to be done as well (the surgeons said that they really would not know until I was open), if so then a more difficult procedure called a deep hypothermic cardiac arrest would have to be performed as well.
I am 34 male and in good shape, bmi 21 (5'9 160). I have done ekg, electro, ct (which diagnosed the ANEURYSM) and cannot beleive this is happening!!
I would like any insight that can be provided as well. Glad you seem to be doing well and hope that you make a full recovery. Can you provide me details on your post op ETC ETC?
Thank you
.
