They Nearly Cut Me In Half
9 October 2005
In 1994, my right foot become mottled. Within six hours, it had spread up to my knee. On contacting my Family Doctor, he was not sure what it was probably thrombosis. I was immediately referred to the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham where I was immediately diagnosed with a Popliteal Artery Aneurysm. Within two hours I was in theatre, where a by-pass was performed.
Whilst recovering, it was discovered, I had another one in my left knee. At this I was most upset because, I had to have another operation to repair this one. At the end of September 1994, I was discharged with both of my legs still intact.
Four years on, I discovered by accident, that I could not walk properly, about twenty five yards maximum, I got severe pain in both of my calves. I was frightened, what was going off? I managed to get home OK where I got in touch with my Family Doctor. I was told to go straight to the surgery for investigation. She referred me back to hospital to have my grafts re-assessed. An angiogram was performed, and it was found that the grafts were OK, and the problem was below the knees. As my blood vessels were extremely narrow, I was put on aspirin for the rest of my life.
In 2000, the hospital sent for me, why I did not know, only for a routine check up I thought. I got a shock when I got there, it was not my legs they were interested, but my stomach. Since I went to them in 1994, they realised I had an AAA which was 6cm dilated, and something had to be done. I was C.T. scanned to see how they were gong to repair it, it was decided I was to have open surgery. I was told exactly what they were going to do to me, I felt ill , i wanted to be sick , I was most upset, I did not want to go through with this. I did not tell my wife how I felt.
When was my operation going to be performed, initially, February 2000, if I could get an intensive care bed, I was admitted three times and sent home three times, no beds were available. During this long wait, I was walking around with a time bomb in my stomach, if it bursts I'm dead.
The first week in July 2000 I was admitted, a bed was found for me and my operation went ahead on 5th July. I was put to sleep Thursday dinner time, and woke up the following Saturday afternoon, I thought I was in heaven, everyone was dressed in white , my beard was thick, where had I been? Once the staff realised I had come round, they were all around me, I was getting agitated, I discovered I had tubes up my nose , and a massive scar on my stomach. Judging by the length of it, they nearly cut me in half.
I spent three days in Intensive Care, and was then returned to the ward, where I was watched like a hawk. I made a full recovery, and was discharged in November 2000. I was off work for two years and I think the worst of my experience was not the surgery, but the traumatic experience of being admitted then discharged, it played havoc with my mind.
I have had no problems since my operation, but i realise how lucky I was to still have two legs and still be alive. By the way I do not smoke anymore, that stopped in 1994. The care and attention I got whilst in hospital was second to none, highly dedicated, professional, people who are a credit to their profession. Whilst on the ward, I made friends with a chap same age as me, his aneurysm bursted at work and he recovered alright.
Thanks for listening.
Update: 9 July 2006
It is now, just over six years since I had my open surgery to repair my AAA ( 5th July 2000) and things are still going strong, I have put on a little weight since then, which I have got to keep an eye on.
I feel fine, but when this time of year comes around, I relive the events I went through six years ago, people say , forget it, it is in the past, but to me that is easier said than done. It is hard to explain to people, they cannot see what I can , only people who have experienced this will understand what I am talking about.
I work part time, but I am thinking of retiring in the near future, because at sixty years of age, I am finding things a little too much.
Bye for now, Thanks for listening, I just needed someone to talk to.
Discussion, comments, or questions: Peter Brooks
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