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My name is Terry Durfee, and I was born in
Binghamton, New York. I was adopted at birth, which has complicated
any search for a medical history. I have been married twice, and
was widowed 7 years ago. I have 6 children who, thankfully, are
very healthy.
I worked for many years in the Auto parts business, and also drove
a truck part-time after retiring. I was diagnosed with
Osteoarthritis, which was the reason for retiring at an early age.
All my previous medical check-ups were very good, except for an
elevated cholesterol and triglyceride level, which is being treated
with medication. My heart EKG's were always clear of any suspicious
events.
I have lived in Texas for 26 years, and spend my time writing and
keeping in touch with family and friends on the Internet.
15 January 2002
I am a 57 year old female, that has been diagnosed with a Type "B" Aortic Dissection. As a healthy person, I was slapped down into a sedentary lifestyle, after being mis-diagnosed with gall bladder problems.
I went to the ER with severe chest and back pain, but was tested and diagnosed with an inflamed gall bladder. After laproscopic removal of the gall bladder, I was told I could go home the next day. I refused, as the original pain was still there.
After a Cat scan, a tear in the aorta was found. An Angiogram further informed the cardiologist, that I could be treated with medication and bed rest. He said 3 months of this treatment was in order. I have just passed the first month, with my first office visit next week.
Is this website still active, so that I can compare notes with others, and to ask questions about new treatments available?
Update: 21 October 2007
Since I am a dyed in the wool procrastinator, I had since the original post left any updates to my condition to the reader's imagination. So, to finally give an update on myself, I have passed all of the yearly tests last month, including CT scan, so I know I am still among the lucky ones. On December the 10th, 2007, it will be 6 years of survival for me. I can't say I was doing something amazing during this time, but just surviving another year is amazing enough for me.
I can't say enough good things about the wonderful medical field we have in this country, as we have so many great specialists in the Cardio-Vascular genre, and I have been able to spend many hours doing research myself on the Internet. There are tons of web sites that deal with all sorts of medical procedures and treatments for the maladies of the Aorta. I watch and read about the newest developments in surgical procedures and of chemical compositions in the newest prescription drugs that are on the market, developed for specific reactions like lowering blood pressure or slowing the heart rate, two of which have kept me alive, I am sure.
In these last 6 years, I have led a fairly normal life, although I did keep relatively active and pushed myself past the limits that I was told not to surpass. A few small twinges of reoccurring pain, did remind me that I wasn't as invincible as I thought I was, previous to my Dissection. I have slowed down more this past year, which possibly could be attributed to a sleep apnea diagnosis, which is now being aggressively treated with a C-PAP machine, which involves wearing a mask during sleep, with a constant air pressure keeping my airways open. I can admit, since using it nightly for a month now, I am dreaming regularly again. It is scary to find out you stop breathing up to 50 times a night and your blood oxygen saturation drops down to dangerous levels.
One primary thing that was my divining moment, was the first time I met the Cardiologist that saved my life. Dr. Gerry Maddoux was the one that diagnosed my dissection, and started me on a path of long term survival. I hated to see him retire, and I have had to search for another specialist, but I know Dr. Maddoux has done more for others by writing and publishing a book on the heart, that speaks to us in layman's terms. "Your Heart: Treat It Like You Love It" should be interesting reading for all. I have been watchful that my children and grandchildren are aware of their heritage and they are informed of what could happen to them, health wise. I do pray for all of those that continue the fight for life, be it an illness attributed to the aorta or any major health problem. I love the support and updates that this site gives those who are struggling to find answers.
Discussion, comments, or questions: Terry Durfee
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