HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

Support Forums
>
Heart & Cardiovascular Disease
✚ New Topic locked
1 2 34 5
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/27/2013 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
LastBanana - I definitely have some feelings of weakness, but feel stronger every day.  My first walks were quite a slow pace and peppered with some intervals of sitting to catch my breath. I do feel like every day gets easier however. I think it is very important to keep the exercise up to help your strength return. Don't get me wrong, I'm still taking a nap every day and looking forward to bedtime!  Also, this surgery was only the ascending aortic aneurysm repair and graft, my valve was replaced 7 years ago. This was my 2nd open heart surgery!

ZDAD - your right, still sounds scary to me too, but I'm able to write this, so I consider that a good sign!

Posted 9/27/2013 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
It's a great sign! Getting stronger everyday with minimal brain damage! Bad joke but I know you understand.
Since I found out I would probably need surgery I spent hours researching AAA's.
Nothing good about them. When I found out they had to freeze me down to 60 degrees F to keep my brain intact, It really freaked me out. Im scared of the dentist! Glad you have the hard part behind you and are doing so well.
Posted 9/27/2013 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
I ran a mile 7 weeks after my aortic valve replacement last year. I was blown away at how quickly I recovered. The first 2 week, I couldn't even walk up stairs. Then week 4 and 5 I started feeling like my old self. Week 6 and 7, bam, I was feeling awesome!

Glad you're doing well nightingale and good luck to you LastBanana!!!
Posted 9/28/2013 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
ZDAD,  I know exactly what you mean, the hypothermic circulatory arrest seemed really scary. I couldn't believe I had to go through something like that. Once you get to the hospital and meet the team you realize that this is every day for them, and you feel more secure. P.S. I also hate the dentist!

jdiane, I also felt the AVR recovery wasn't too bad. After all, my brand new shiny valve was a lot better than my old severely stenotic valve!

Posted 9/28/2013 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Nightingale57-So good to hear you are doing so well. These recent posts by you and jdiane are truly inspirational and reassuring. The first hand experiences are helpful balance to the online 'facts'. I'm having a CT-Angiogram next week as my first follow up/work up after diagnosis in May of this year. The first CT was measured at 4.8 and during my recent visit with cardiologist, it sounds like the surgeon and cardiologist are identifying me as a likely Marfans patient. From everything they have said so far and the fact that this CT is also an angiogram, I think they are likely to recommend surgery. I don't have any valve replacement issues, so your experience is very encouraging. I love your comments about how for the team at the hospital, this is routine!
I'm not clear whether hypothermic circulatory arrest always part of the procedure, or does it depend how far up into the arch the repair extends? (I'm writing it down in questions for the surgeon, but welcome the wisdom of this very knowledgeable group).

I'm thrilled to hear about your recovery and that your spirits are up. You will be soon carrying those grandchildren all over.
Posted 9/29/2013 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Happy Sunday to all of you,

I am happy to read the sharing that is going on in this thread as well as the way you have come together in a supportive, caring manner.

Each of you has shared your firsthand experience with one another.

Keep it up,

 

Kitt

 

Posted 9/30/2013 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Ralele,
Here is a great article from the Mayo Clinic
http://health.usnews.com/health-conditions/heart-health/aortic-aneurysm/treatment
I was told "freezing" was usually necessary if it is ascending. Im not 100% sure.
Posted 9/30/2013 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Ralele,

  Good to hear from you.  I know how much anxiety you must be having right now.  Interesting that they feel you may have Marfans.  The defect in the aortic wall is similar for both of us. As far as the hypothermic circulatory arrest, I'm not sure, but I thought it did have to do with how much of the arch was involved. My aorta was aneurysmal from just above the root through most of the arch. I can tell you that I had some side effects from being on the bypass machine with my first surgery, including vision problems, and extreme hot flashes.  This time around I had much less of that, and I couldn't help but wonder if it was from protecting my brain with the hypothermia. I think this is the best way to look at it, this is a wonderful advancement that helps protect you during surgery. Please let us know how the CT angiogram goes.  I know you will be fine, and be on the other side of this some day, and then we can compare experiences!

Posted 10/4/2013 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
FINDINGS:

Non-dedicated images of heart and lung are unremarkable. A trileaflet aortic
valve is noted.

Mild dilatation of the ascending aortic artery is noted again.


Current Measurements:

Aortic Annulus: 2.4 x 2.2 cm
Sinus of Valsalva: 4.1 x 3.9 x 3.8 cm
Sinotubular junction: 3.7 x 3.6 cm
Maximum diameter of ascending aorta: 4.4 x 4.3 cm
Maximum diameter of descending aorta: 2.8 x 2.8 cm

Prior Measurements (9/3/2010):

Aortic Annulus: 2.3 x 1.8 cm
Sinus of Valsalva: 3.7 x 3.7 x 3.7 cm
Sinotubular junction: 3.7 x 3.6 cm
Maximum diameter of ascending aorta: 4.2 x 4.1 cm
Maximum diameter of descending aorta: 2.7 x 2.7 cm

IMPRESSION:

1. Stable or minimally increased ectatic ascending aorta. Attention at
annual follow-up MRI exam.

2. Incidental note of a normal trileaflet aortic valve.


__________________________________________



Annual MRI followup recommended.

If anyone wants to compare numbers. I dont know what part of "Attention at annual follow-up" my insurance company dosent understand.
I waited 2 years before I got the nerve up to request an additional MRI. Turned down.
If I didn't have a 4 and 6 yr old I probably wouldnt worry so much. Am I missing something?
Posted 10/27/2013 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
How are you doing, nightingale57.
Fully recovered?
I finally got my MRI approved by insurance. Set for this Tuesday.
Anything under 5 cm will make me happy!
Posted 10/31/2013 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ZDAD, good to hear from you! So glad your MRI finally got approved, please let us know the results. Special shout out to LastBanana, I believe his surgery was also on Tuesday, hope all is going well for you!
As for me, I am feeling pretty much back to normal, but I do still tire easily. Still, nothing sweeter than being on the other side of this, and I'm trying to just look forward and enjoy the rest of my life. Ralele, how did your CT angiogram go?
Posted 11/6/2013 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
I am a 66 year old female who had ascending aortic aneurysm repair on 9/18/2013. The aneurysm was found in August from a breast MRI. I thought I was completely healthy so it came as a shock. Because aneurysms run in my family, the CT surgeon recommended repair at its current 5 cm size. This all happened so quickly. In reading the surgical write-up the surgeon states that my aneurysm had a 70% chance of dissection at any time.

This is tough surgery that will knock you on your keister - even for the fittest among us. If you follow Dr. instructions to the letter about not lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk, do your walks (even when you do not want to), use your pillow, incentive spirometer, and get in and out of bed as directed, I can attest to life returning in just a few weeks. It helps that I have a terrific husband.

I do have a question. My Dr. Signed me up for Cardiac Rehab but the healthplex phoned and said my diagnosis is not eligible through Medicare. Has anyone else run into this? I really would like to go through the rehab program.

Judy in New Mexico
Posted 11/6/2013 7:42 AM (GMT 0)
Judy,
Appeal the decision from healthplex. Also, get your doctor to go to bat for you.
You don't need this additional worry at this point, but from my experience, you will not get anywhere without making a little noise. Glad you made it through. Im still calling the Doctors office everyday to get my results. 4.5 2 years ago. Keep following Dr's instructions and make sure a message gets to him for help, not just to his office.
Good luck!
Posted 11/6/2013 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, ZDAD. I will appeal. I hope you get your aneurysm fixed - it's hardest on the 'just watch' folks. I was one of the lucky ones - I was out of surgery with a repaired AAA before i had come to grips that I even had one.

Judy in NM
Posted 11/7/2013 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Judy NM, welcome! You had your surgery 5 days after me. Can't help you with the question about medicare as I am not eligible yet. I would definitely take ZDAD's advice and appeal. No one even suggested cardiac rehab for me. How do you feel in general? I would say I still have some odd feelings from time to time. I feel really aware of my heart beat at different times. Most of the time I feel pretty good considering. ZDAD, please let us know when you get your results, I am waiting to hear.
Posted 11/7/2013 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
My next appointment is November 23. I have called the Drs office everyday since MRI.
They told me results not read and or not released yet.
I really dont need the stress but what can you do?
Glad you guys have this behind you.
Posted 11/7/2013 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
I had my father in cardiac rehab following his CABG x 5 in 2011. Medicare did cover it, but to be honest, I took him out after 2 weeks. All he was doing was walking on a treadmill and checking his BP. I could do that at home, and it was more comfortable at home. I think cardiac rehab is a great idea for someone who is afraid to be active again or who doesn't have anyone to make sure they are up and walking everyday. If you can do that on your own, you don't need the rehab.
Posted 11/7/2013 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry they're not being more compassionate with you ZDAD.  I wish sometimes they would try and put themselves in our shoes and think what it would be like to be waiting for something like that. jdiane, I agree with you, I've been walking at least 3 miles a day, and I have my own BP monitor which I check before and after exercise, seems to be working for me. If Judy NM thinks cardiac rehab would benefit her I still think she should fight for it. Everyone has to get through something like this in a way that works for them.

 

Posted 11/18/2013 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I have not had my surgery yet. On the Friday before my last scheduled date my surgeon's nurse called and asked if I would be willing to reschedule to let someone much worse off than me go ahead with a valve transplant. How could I say no? I'm now rescheduled for this coming Tuesday, the 19th, at 0730. Unfortunately I woke this morning with a sore throat and low grade fever so I got a hold of the doctor on call at my family clinic who put me on antibiotics and I have to call my surgeons office early tomorrow. I hope it's nothing that will cause another delay.
Nightengale57, I'm happy to hear you've healed so well so quickly. I told my wife today that I can't wait to tell everyone that my surgery was a month ago.
Hang in there ZDAD. Others have put this behind them, we'll get past it too.
Posted 11/18/2013 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
Boy Lastbanana, that sure will take the fun out of Thanksgiving this year!
Best of luck. I get my reading Friday. I think we all realize at this point its not a quick journey.
My only advise is to have an advocate with you at the hospital at all times. Hopefully your wife can fill in on some of this. Mine is a church mouse, Im gonna need back up.
A loud, wont take no for an answer person is your best bet . If you know anyone like that give them a call. Giving your spot a way was more than most would do.
Give us a shout when you can.
Gods speed and Best. You will be laughing about this next year with the Mrs and out live most!!!!!!!
ZD

Post Edited (ZDAD) : 11/17/2013 10:48:43 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/18/2013 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks ZDAD for the words of encouragement. It's means a lot coming from someone who is fighting the same fight. Good luck to you on the 23rd. If all goes well I plan to be back at this desk and online by the Thanksgiving weekend to let everyone know how my surgery went and to check up on everyone.
Quick question for those who have had the surgery. How long afterwards did you feel confident enough to descend and climb stairs?
Posted 11/18/2013 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
I think I climbed my first stairs about 2 weeks after my valve replacement. I don't have any stairs at home, so 2 weeks was the first time I encountered them.
Posted 11/18/2013 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Well here I am again, waiting. Over the weekend I started showing signs of an upper respiratory infection. Drainage, sore throat and low grade fever. I got a hold of a doctor as soon as I could and got antibiotics, but it was too close to the surgery date. My surgeon said this was too big of a risk and he has told the nurse to reschedule. She will try to move some one from next week into my spot and me into theirs so it may not be as much of a delay this time.
Posted 11/18/2013 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for that info jdiane. I have a stationary bike and treadmill in the basement, no way to move them anywhere else. I don't know if I want to brave the stairs soon after surgery or walk out the back door and down a slight hill to a door opening out of the basement.
Posted 11/18/2013 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
LastBanana, I feel your pain. Horrible to get delayed at the last moment. They delayed me by only a day to do someone that was dissecting, and even that was torture. It made my surgery day turn out to be on a Friday the 13th! You are definitely doing the right thing by not going in sick, can't take the chance. As far as the stairs goes, I was in the hospital 9 days, but came right home and went up the stairs to take a shower, no sweat. Last week was my 2 month post-op mark, and I started running again. Pretty pitiful, I called it wogging (half walking, half jogging), but it felt pretty good. Rest up and get well. I look forward to hear from you when you are on the other side of this, and we can compare notes. ZDAD, hope to hear from you after your appt. on the 23rd.
✚ New Topic locked
12345