Surgery Possible Within 2 Days of a Consultation

[Superbob]

When an echo recently made it appear an aneurysm was developing in ascending aorta area where I had the replacement surgery almost six years ago (a ct-scan has since found that it was a false alarm), I fretted more about how to get back home after the surgery than the surgery itself. I would go back to my Virginia surgeon to have it done, but I wondered how I would get home b/c back in '05 just traveling 25 miles 5 days after surgery was a struggle. I guess I would have had family members drive me back to SC in stages over a few days or several days.

I hope if you have the surgery and come back on the train, that will work out for you. I gather you will have help with you. I wonder if at least a few days extra after being released from the hospital is an option before getting on that train. My experiences with trains over the years have not been particularly good, but probably you have cased out the best arrangements.

As you indicate, these consultations with the medical professionals sometimes involve delay and more waiting, so it is not a sure thing you will proceed this time. And you are in charge. I am certainly thinking of you and wishing you peace of mind and sending you the best vibes I can muster.

 

[skeptic49]

Good Luck, DuffMan...whichever way it turns out you know there are other BAVers in a similar way pulling for you.

Best wishes,

Jim

 

[kfay]

Duff, I hope that it's not time for surgery on the one hand, but I think for you it may be a relief to finally just get it over, so it may be a good thing if he says it is a go.

Like Susan, I have a few thoughts about your travel plans. You don't mention anyone going with you, but I'm assuming someone is, or at least hope someone is. The train travel there is obviously not a problem, but I'd be a little concerned about it going back if you developed a problem. It's one thing if you are traveling by car and develop a problem that requires you to go to a hospital. You are able to make the pit stop wherever you need to. If you are on a train, in the middle of nowhere, and develop a problem, what is going to happen? How many days are you going to be on the train? I know you said that travel by air causes you a lot of anxiety, but is there any way, in this one instance, you could take (with Dr's approval) a good dose of xanax, and get home in a couple of hours? Or do you have a significant other or good friend who could drive you in a car?

I hope that you get whatever answers you are looking for Duff. I know you've agonized over this for a long time. Just remember what must of what us have said, the mental part of the wait before hand is SO much worse than the actual surgery itself.


Kim

 

[drivetopless]

Good luck, Duffman! Sounds like you are in good hands either way.

 

[Sarah_Louise]

Good luck =)
I hope everything goes well for you and your back home in no time xxx

 

[malibu82]

happy travels and best of wishes!

 

[bigsidster]

Hope all goes well for you Duff.Best plan would be consultation and then surgery right after without time to agonize.Sounds just like your plan?After all you have put into this I am sure it will go your way.God bless you and keep us informed.

 

[Duff Man]

I am now in Tijuana!

No seriously, the surgeon said that although he would do the surgery for me, he does not believe it's in my best interest. He said if it were his son or him considering it, he would not do it - even with the pain. He said it is extremely highly unlikely that my chest pain is aorta, and much more likely to originate from my PE or GERD or even the chest wall. He also said at my diameter the chance of rupture is minuscule - lower than the chance of death from the operation. He said that although they may have 200-300 people like me make it at a time, there's always that one guy - and if I'm that one guy, well it would be tragic. Not to mention the 4 or 5% risk of something bad but not mortal happening... which could be something like a permanent pacemaker or stroke or .. anything.

Now, I have come back from Texas with what might be obvious information for some folks, but not so much for others. He said there are ways to significantly slow the expansion and danger of rupture of the aorta. These are

-Reducing blood pressure to lowest tolerable level
-Reducing heart rate to lowest tolerable level
-Reducing weight
-Do NOT smoke
-No more caffeine
-Maybe Losartan with the TGF Beta protection
-Do NOT take oral steroids. He didn't explain why, but I believe it. When I asked about inhaled steroids he seemed to not think that was an issue.
-Avoid heavy lifting. Nothing over 50 lbs.

 

[Superbob]

Now, I have come back from Texas with what might be obvious information for some folks, but not so much for others. He said there are ways to significantly slow the expansion and danger of rupture of the aorta. These are

-Reducing blood pressure to lowest tolerable level
-Reducing heart rate to lowest tolerable level
-Reducing weight
-Do NOT smoke
-No more caffeine
-Maybe Losartan with the TGF Beta protection
-Do NOT take oral steroids. He didn't explain why, but I believe it. When I asked about inhaled steroids he seemed to not think that was an issue.
-Avoid heavy lifting. Nothing over 50 lbs.

I am good with all of those except "no more caffeine." I cannot live without coffee.

Welcome back. Sounds like you got words of wisdom from the surgeon.

 

[Bina]

I am now in Tijuana!....................

..............are ways to significantly slow the expansion and danger of rupture of the aorta. These are

-Reducing blood pressure to lowest tolerable level
-Reducing heart rate to lowest tolerable level
-Reducing weight
-Do NOT smoke
-No more caffeine
-Maybe Losartan with the TGF Beta protection
-Do NOT take oral steroids. He didn't explain why, but I believe it. When I asked about inhaled steroids he seemed to not think that was an issue.
-Avoid heavy lifting. Nothing over 50 lbs.

That's awful....I guess it's no more urinals for you...........ooops, my bad.

Glad to hear that your case is not emergent and aorta is stable.
Did you end up taking the train, how was it?

 

[Duff Man]

That's awful....I guess it's no more urinals for you...........ooops, my bad.

Glad to hear that your case is not emergent and aorta is stable.
Did you end up taking the train, how was it?

The train ride was so dirty that we ended up canceling the ride back and getting a plane. Lily's suggestion of getting surface sanitary wipes was genius.. saved our lives. Not really, but when you wiped any contact surface with one of the towelettes, the wiped side would be black with grossness. I had a very bad stomach bug on the way down, so I was forced to use the train bathrooms something on the order of 30 or 40 times...... I believe the men were consistently missing the toilet.

I didn't think it was going to be so much emergent to have it done but maybe just prudent or important.