25 August 2004
I am writing after reading Trish Cassidy's story about Emmie.
My Mom will be 80 in October and was diagnosed with Ascending Aortic Dissection or AAA June 22, 2004. She was in the hospital for three days and chose not to have surgery.
July 4th weekend I went home for our family reunion. We all noticed that Mom wasn't her jovial self staying in the cabin and barely eating. The following Thursday my sister and I took her to her doctor for consultation because she said she didn't understand the medication nor the reason for her taking it. The doctor explained the tear in the aorta, no more smoking or drinking and take her medication on time. The doctor also prescribed three more tests and told Mom surgery wasn't completely out of the question.
The following Monday Mom had a CAT SCAN. We barely got her home when the doctor called and told us to get her back to the hospital right away.
The heart doctor that treated Mom four weeks earlier told us Mom's tear had gone from 3cm to 7cm. He told her if she had the surgery her chances of surviving were 15% since she had had two small strokes years ago and her age. If she didn't have the surgery she would last only one to two months. Mom again said no surgery and it has been over one month. Mom is not smoking, drinking and is eating good and she said feeling like her old self.
I did a lot of research and when I found the story about Emmie I made a copy and gave it to Mom. She was so encouraged she's been looking for more on Emmies survival.
Mom lives alone, gardens, trims her hedges, cooks, cleans, is very fiesty and looks like she's 70 (except for all the weight she lost, but is now regaining). She is the youngest of four remaining sister siblings, Mom 79, Aunt Earline 91.
Please give me an update so she can continue to look for hope.
© Copyright 2004 Pamela Foreman
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