My AAA Episode
4 July 2000
I am a 68 year old male and I would like to share my AAA experience. I had no idea that I had abdominal aortic aneurysm problems. On the 5th of April I woke up with abdominal pains around 2 A.M. The pain kept getting worse as time went on. At about 3 A.M, I became very cold. My wife and I decided it was time to go to the emergency room. My wife drove me in the car as we never thought to call 911, which probably was a good thing as time was becoming a very important element.
The first thing the emergency room technicians did was to take a blood pressure check. My blood pressure was 76 over 52. They rushed me into a room and the doctors began working to get my blood pressure up. They wanted to get the top number up to a hundred before proceeding further. The doctors thought I had a ruptured appendix or a hernia, but they also thought there was a fair possibility of an aneurysm.
It became very difficult for me to breath. Oxygen was given to me by tubes and mask. I remember the doctor telling me later on that they were going to take me down for exploratory surgery. I have always been afraid of surgery but I was ready for them to proceed. The last thing I remember before surgery was the anesthesiologist talking to me.
I went to the operating room at 9 A.M. and the surgery was completed at 2:30 P.M. When they opened me up, they found that I had three AAA's and two of them had ruptured. The vascular surgeon was standing by so he immediately took over. During the surgery, 24 units of blood was used. Three by-passes were made. After surgery, I was placed in ICU. When the 5 P.M. visiting hour rolled around, I could recognize my visitors by the sound of their voices and I responded to their talking by squeezing their fingers. (The doctors had warned my family that I would be unresponsive and would not recognize them.) When the 9 P.M. visiting hour came around, I was able to keep my eyes open while my visitors were there.
At that point, I still did not know what type of surgery I had. I became aware of this when on the fourth day the doctor removed the dressing from my stomach. It was at this point that I learned of my problem but still did not realize how severe it was. This was explained to me after I came home. My family tells me that the doctors painted a very grim picture after I came out of surgery. I was only given a 25% chance of recovery, and if I did recover, my chances of a good quality of life were not positive. There was a possibility of liver, kidney, and/or heart failure, and potential loss of a leg.
I was kept in ICU for five days and then placed in a room for two days. The doctor was amazed at the progress I was making. I had no problem breathing after being taken off the ventilator. All my vital signs were good. My family was amazed when the doctor authorized my release just under a week after I had become so critically ill. The doctor told me, "Your family is afraid I am releasing you too soon." I said, "Don't pay any attention to them." Seven days after the ruptured AAA's, I was back home, and glad to be alive.
The only problems I had after I got home (besides being very sore and tender) was with my bowels, and I had no appetite at all for 2 weeks. I had to make myself eat because I knew it was necessary. I slept in a recliner for a week as it was more comfortable for me than a bed. In about three weeks, my appetite had increased and my bowels got back to normal.
I went back to my doctor two weeks after the surgery and he checked the carotid arteries in my neck while I was there. He was pleased with my progress. He made me another appointment for a six-week checkup and told me to have a goal of walking a quarter of a mile by the time I came back for that.
When I came back in six weeks, I was walking one and a half miles daily. The doctor was again amazed and told me he was glad to see me so energetic, but that I could cut down a little if I wanted to. I am now walking one mile five times a week. I can feel that I am getting a little stronger each week I am still quite limited as to what I can do, but my doctor told me it would take a year for things to heal. The limitations as to what I can do gets frustrating for me as I have always been very active and this has been my first major illness. Certainly I realize that the wait will be well worth it.
It has been 13 weeks since all this took place. I am so thankful for Dr. Larry Manning and Scott & White Hospital. The doctor called me a "miracle man", but I believe Dr. Manning and Jesus are the "miracle men".
I am looking forward to a full recovery and living to enjoy my wife of 48 years and my five wonderful children and my eight beautiful grandchildren and my great friends.
Being born and raised in the tobacco fields in Kentucky, I smoked from the time I was 18 years of age. I learned that smoking can contribute to this problem. I am very happy to say I have not smoked since I got sick. Also, one of my sons stopped smoking and my best friend did also - proof positive that good things can come out of horrible events.
I'm one of the lucky ones, and I hope my story gives others hope that this illness sometimes does have a happy ending.
God bless you all.
Update: 10 Apr 2002
I just had my two year check up by my vascular surgeon. He was very pleased with my recovery. He has released me to my primary doctor. I am now living a very normal life, and enjoying my family more than ever. I am looking foward to my 50th wedding anniversary in July this year. I just wanted folks to know that these things do work out some times. Have faith and never give up. Thanks for your site, it has helped me very much and I know it has helped others. I have recieved e-mails from several people with several questions. Good luck to all of you.
Update: 30 Mar 2003
ISN'T GOD GOOD? April 5th will be three years since my AAA EPISODE. I went today (March 28) for my three year check-up. The x-rays and the sonogram showed absolutely nothing new going on. I am enjoying a very near normal life with the only restrictions being lifting, but, I have 4 great sons who are glad to do that for me . I have enjoyed our web site so much and it has certainly helped me. May God bless all of you for helping others. Well, I must go and plant some more in my garden. (grin)
Update: 12 Apr 2004
I just had my four year checkup for my AAA. Dr Larry Manning at Scott & White hospital in Temple, had sonograms run on my neck and abdoman and several x-rays. He said the repairs are still in good shape and there are NO signs of new aneurysms. Isn't that good? God has been so good to me.
I am going to see an orthopedic surgon next month about replacing both knees. I know God will be with me again. Other than the knees, I am feelng great. (I have a great vegie garden going also).
Good luck and May God bless you and yours as well as all the web site family.
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