My name is Jim Bowers, I live in Dover, Delaware and I am 67 years old. I was in reasonably good health until May 1999. At that time I found out I had acute pancreatitis and a 7.7 cm aneurysm. After a month's stay in the hospital for the pancreatitis, I was released under the assumption that I would go back a month later for aneurysm surgery. The doctors said I developed pseudo-cysts on my pancreas and they delayed my surgery for approximately 6 months. On November 9th, 1999 my aneurysm ruptured. I am among the fortunate survivors of an "AAA" rupture. I am slowly regaining my health, But the doctors say I have a long way to go yet. I would be glad to hear from any one who has gone through a similar situation. My prayers to all of the survivors and to the families of those who did not survive.
On May 5, 1999, my husband, Jim, and I had lunch together. I went back to work and he went home. He is 67 years old and retired. I got home from work at about 5:30p.m. to find Jim very restless. I asked what was wrong and he said he didn't know but had some pain, like he had to pass gas or belch. He tried both but neither worked. At about 6:30 p.m. he, who had not been to a doctor in about 8 years, asked me to take him to the local hospital because he was in so much pain. Upon arrival at the triage desk, the nurse took his blood pressure and it was 226/136. They immediately took him to trauma.
After determining it was not a heart problem, the doctors did numerous tests, x-rays, CT scan, ultrasound, etc. It was discovered that he had a 7/7 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm. They did another CT scan to see if it was leaking, but it was not. He was admitted to ICU. The next morning, after being given a light breakfast, he violently vomited and the surgeon was called once again. He was again taken to CT scan, but his aneurysm was not leaking. It was determined that he was in the midst of acute pancreatitis.
With the aneurysm and pancreatitis, he was transferred via helicopter to a hospital more suited to his needs. He was in the hospital for a total of 21 days. Most of the time he was in a medically induced coma due to the pain. He had to be incubated, he has a gastronasal tube inserted, he was in extremely critical condition.
He started to improve after about 15 days in Surgical Shock-Trauma. He was moved to step-down, then to a regular room and then home. We asked his surgeon when would they be scheduling his aneurysm surgery. We were told to come back in a month and they would assess him. Another CT scan was done and it showed that his pancreas had developed pseudo-cysts. We kept asking about his surgery and was repeatedly told due to the cysts we would have to wait. He had no gastointestinal problems during the interim of his May hospital visit until his aneurysm ruptured on November 9, 1999.
Jim was home alone when his aneurysm ruptured. He was able to call me and 911. I was at the hospital when the ambulance arrived with him. I informed the ER staff that one of two things was wrong with my husband. He either had acute pancreatitis again or his aneurysm had ruptured. A CT scan showed the aneurysm had ruptured and he was taken immediately into surgery. His surgery lasted about 5 hours. He was taken to ICU where he remained for about 10 days. He was very touch and go for most of that time. He was then moved to an intermediate room where he slowly started to improve.
He stayed in the hospital for 20 days and released home. His improvement is very slow. He is very weak, his legs bother him, his bowels are still messed up, his stomach is still big, he has lost over 50 lbs. and has aged 10 years. He is now 4 months after surgery. The doctor says we have a long road to recovery.
I feel if the doctors had performed surgery much, much sooner, it could have been done in a less invasive way and he would not be in the shape he is now in.
During that waiting period from May 99' until November 99', my husband did nothing for fear he would cause his aneurysm to rupture. He asked his doctor what could he do and the doctor told him he would be able to go fishing but not much else. My husband was a very active man, and he is now reduced to mostly an invalid. All the things he previously could do around the house, I now have to do. He gets very upset over this. Our lives have really been turned around, and at this point we feel needlessly. If the doctors had performed his surgery before the rupture, he might well be on the road to recovery.
If anyone has any thoughts or comments about this, please e-mail me.