In June of this year (2001), I saw my GP after suffering from abdominal pains. He made an appointment for me to go to Nottingham City Hospital on Wednesday 27th June for an Ultrasound scan. The scan revealed small gall stones but more importantly discovered I had an Aorta Aneurysm measuring approximately 5cm. I was told that this Aneurysm needed further investigation and a report was sent back to my GP, who then made me an appointment to see a Consultant Vascular Surgeon (Mr Wenham) at the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham on the 28th August 2001. I attended the One Stop Vascular Clinic on that day, and had a further Ultrasound Scan, on the abdomen. My wife and myself then had a consultation with Mr Wenham. He told us that the Aneurysm now measured 6.3cms, and that I would need an operation to reinforce the Aorta.
There was no waiting list for the operation, but a six-week waiting list for a CAT Scan, and the operation approximately 4 weeks after the results of the CAT Scan. The CAT Scan was carried out on the 1st October 2001. I then went back to see Mr Wenham on Friday 12th October for the results of the CAT Scan. I was told that the aneurysm was now approximately 7cms, and that they would operate using the traditional method, which involved opening up the full abdomen, inserting a plastic pair of trousers (was how it was described to me) into the aorta, therefore reinforcing the walls of the aorta, and reducing the pressure on the aneurysm. He felt that the traditional way of doing the operation was more suitable for sustained long term results, as the alternative method was to use a STENT, this was less intrusive surgery but they have only been doing this for 7-8 years, and the traditional method had proven more reliable in their opinion.
The operation was performed on the 17th October 2001, at the Queens Medical Centre, by Mr Wenham's Team. They discovered when they opened up my abdomen that the Inferior Vena Cave, a major vein, was attached to the front of the aorta. This Vena Cava, in 99% of patients, would have been attached to the back of the aorta. Therefore it made it very difficult for the surgeon to operate on the aorta aneurysm. I am lead to believe that he tried to separate the Vena Cava from the front of the aorta in order to gain access to the aorta aneurysm to carry out the surgery. However in doing so the Vena Cava was ruptured which resulted in heavy blood loss. The surgeon had to repair this rupture and abort further surgery. I then spent a further week in hospital in Intensive Care, High Dependency Unit, and then on the normal ward, to be discharged on the 24th October 2001, sent home to have the district nurse call in on a daily basis to examine the site of the operation on the abdomen, then to remove the stitches on 31st October 2001.
In the meantime I was told that the operation now had to be carried out using the STENT, which was the alternative to the initial operation. I was told the STENT had been ordered on the 17th October 2001 after the aborted operation, that this would take two to three weeks for them to acquire the STENT from their supplier in Denmark, that once they had the STENT, and could arrange the operation, intensive care bed etc. I would be called back for the operation to be carried out again. As of today the 1st November, I still have no confirmation of the arrival of the STENT, or a date for the operation to be carried out.
My concerns are that on the 1st October 2001 the Aneurysm was 7cms and classed as quite dangerous, if it bursts I am dead. This is now a month ago. Seemingly, I have undergone unnecessary major surgery. I find it difficult to understand that having carried out two Ultrasound Scans, on my abdomen and one CAT Scan the Vena Cava went unnoticed as being attached to the front of the aorta instead of the back. Had they known this they would not have carried out the major surgery of the initial operation and would have reverted to using the STENT method which they now intend to carry out, I hope in the next few weeks. Indeed Ultrasound Scans are used to determine the sex of an unborn child, and therefore I find it very difficult to understand how this Vena Cava could be attached to the front of the Aorta and no one was aware of it. Furthermore a more intensive scan was carried out with the CAT Scan and again this Vena Cava was not high-lighted until they actually operated on me. I have gone through this major surgery for nothing, I am now back to square one waiting for the operation to be carried out now using the STENT method which was not offered to me initially.
Events after the 1st November.
Today is the 17th January 2002. November and December of 2001 turned out to be even worse than the aborted operation of October 17th 2001.
I returned to the Q.M.C. on the 19th Nov 2001 for an overnight stay in order that they could block off my left iliac artery which supplies blood to my left thigh and buttocks area. I was told this was necessary before the major operation to fit the stent to repair the aorta aneurysm. On the 28th of November 2001 they operated for the repair on the aorta this time using the Stent method and also fitted a by pass graft in my groin area, this graft was made of a material called Dacron, the graft looked awful you could actually see the tube going across my groin under the skin but I thought this may reduce after time. My main concern was that the operation was over and that I now hoped I was on my way back to recovery. How wrong I was! They sent me home on the Saturday the 1st December to return on Monday the 3rd December for a C.A.T. Scan. Within a week, I would know from this if the Stent Operation had been successful.
In the meantime I had the stitches removed in my groin from this operation by my District Nurse on the 10th December. I contacted the Q.M.C. on the 12th to find the results of the C.A.T. Scan were satisfactory. However by Saturday the 15th December l was in so much pain in the groin area l contacted the Q.M.C. They advised me to return to the Ward E16. One of Mr Wenham's team examined me that evening and l was readmitted. Further tests then revealed that the Dacron graft was leaking this could be seen on the Ultrasound also I had infections around this Dacron material.
I was put on Antibiotics for 5 days. It was then decided that the Dacron graft had to be removed and replaced by them taking a vein out of my right leg. The 4th Operation then to take place on the 20th of December 2001. After this operation I had antibiotics by drip feed on a daily basis for 14 days, then when I was due to come home they removed the staples to the incisions from the operation this resulted in a large wound opening up in my Abdomen which my District Nurse is still having to pack and dress on a daily basis now 4 weeks after the operation. I am told it will need treatment for perhaps another 2 months. Fluid still leaking from incisions in my groin area. I had bags attached to these to catch the fluid before leaving Hospital. Now the incisions are being dressed every day by the District Nurse. I have been taking eleven Antibiotic tablets a day since I came home, and then have just been issued with a further prescription from the Q.M.C. to continue further Antibiotics 8 per day for the next 14 days; total 112 tablets. In total I have been on large amounts of Antibiotics since being admitted on the 15th Dec 2001 and as of today's date now the 20/01/02, have at least a further 2 weeks to take these plus other medication.
I have now had 3 Major Operations plus the embolisation on the left thigh, and can only hope and pray l get no further infections in the wounds that have been left in my Abdomen and thighs. I honestly don t know what would happen if I did. I am very worried for the future having spent most of the time since October 2001 going in and out of the Q.M.C. for Operation after operation. It could be several months yet before l can consider looking for work.
Today the 20th January 2002 l have started with an upset tummy my food or medication hasn't changed as yet. l am now starting on the next two weeks of Antibiotics this will be a total of 6 weeks after the operation taking up to 11 Antibiotics a day plus up to 8 painkillers, water tablets, sleeping tablets, Aspirin and Beta Blockers. Still a large wound in the Abdomen and left thigh, and of course the inside of my Abdomen is very painful but l can only presume that it is due to the number of times they have operated in Oct, Nov, Dec of 2001 and is not due to further infections?
I will update you over the coming weeks, next hospital appointment is the 31st January 2002.
Update: 7 Apr 2002
Update on visit at QMC 31/01/2002
With much difficulty I arrived at the QMC, a nurse weighed me, and then I went into see the consultant explained about the terrible pains I had been getting in my stomach and groin area. The consultant never commented, my wife asked if I could have an Ultra Sound or CAT Scan, just to put my mind at rest, so that I would know that everything was in place and working properly. The consultant curtly replied there is no need and that he would see me in a month's time. A nurse came in and dressed my stomach area, and leg, and we were on our way home. I just hope and pray I am on the road to recovery. Will return next month to the hospital for another check up.
Further visit 3rd April 2002
The wound in my stomach has nearly healed; the district nurse has stopped coming to visit. I have had constant pain in my stomach area, which is so painful to touch.
Now my feet and legs hurt can walk only short distances, and my toes turn blue, and feel numb. I am so worried that because of the embolization and the fact that the surgeon removed a vein from my leg, that the circulation is not right. I am in fear of losing toes, feet or legs. Today I went to the hospital again and spoke to the consultant who assured me that the circulation in my feet was fine but because they had used a vein the blood flow to my legs was reduced. He said in a years time he could do another graft to help the blood supply. The consultant took more time on this visit and explained more fully what had happened.saying I was very lucky to be alive as it was touch and go when the Dacron graft in the groin got infected. On walking back to the car, I had to stop several times because of pain in my feet and legs. I go back to the hospital in two months and hopefully for a CT Scan to see if the Stent is in place. Will keep you updated.