Aortic Arch Aneurysm
23 May 2006
I found out August of 2004 two days before I was to have gastric bypass surgery that I had to see a thoracic surgeon. I was told by my surgeon at that time that I had something wrong with my chest x-ray and that he would not perform that surgery until further examination was done. I got an appointment with a thoracic surgeon (I had no idea at that point what was happening) asap.
He told me that I had a aortic aneurysm. It was located on the arch - it was an ascending aortic aneurysm.
That was then and this is now. I was able believe it or not to continue with my gastric bypass surgery and have to-date lost about 135 lbs. My thoracic surgeon has wanted to do the surgery on me (my aneurysm is at a 5.6 cm) since day one but felt that it was much more necessary for me to lose the weight first - and safer than for me to go under the knife at the weight that I was carrying around. He was probably right.
So I wait around each 6 months for my CT Scan and then usually I get an echo after I see him. He is amazed each time that I have not started to leak. So far so good. I am otherwise in fairly good health. I am diabetic. I am a manic depressive. I have a seizure disorder. I still have never gotten a lot of information on my particular aneurysm and really this site was the first I have really come across that has given me a picture of what to expect.
I go tomorrow for my latest update and for a week before I go in I am a nervous wreck so you can imagine what I am like today. I am planning my funeral arrangements again and planning my calendar if I have to go in and have the surgery like right away or soon. I am making so many plans - UGH!
Anyone that would be willing to send some information or website info I would be endlessly grateful. I just have never found this site before and most of the information I have found has been on abdominal aneurysms instead of ascending aortic aneurysms (mine is located on the arch - that is about all I know). I have been very neglectful in finding out more - I think I have been too terrified in finding out more.
I keep saying if it happens it is going to happen no matter where I am...
Oh I am 42, soon to be 43 and female. I don't see as many females writing to this list as I do males. I don't smoke. Drink once every couple of weeks. I am generally in decent health right now. My diabetes has been under control since my gastic bypass surgery. My seizures are under control. Blood pressure has always been on the low side. Weight is still high but not unusually so. I did lose 135 lbs. which has taken me out of the high 300's into the low 200's. I am in better shape now then when I was in my mid 20's.
I see so many complications to the surgery that is done and it is very scary. I have had a good many surgeries and the only complications I ever seem to have is coming out of the anaesthetic.
Anyway, any assistance would be great. Thank you!
Discussion, comments, or questions: Becky Gumm
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