28 February 2002
My mother, Bonnie, is 53 years old and was diagnosed with an aortic dissection Type B. She has a Descending Thoracic Aneurysm that extends down to her renal arteries along with the false lumen that is common in this type of condition.
Her first diagnosis was in July of 1998 when she experienced a prolonged pain in her chest. Fortunately, her doctor had been predisposed to this type of condition and immediately detained her for further testing which revealed a swollen aorta on the verge of rupture. Miraculously, it did not burst, and when the swelling subsided she was treated medically.
In the last 3.5 years her dilation has remained at 5.1 cm. Her lifestyle has changed, she's eating better, and she has worked on plodding along up to 2 miles a day. In December of 2000 she was in a car accident which sent her blood pressure rocketing. A month later, she was experiencing pain in her chest and numbing in her leg. She was in the hospital again with surgery just around the corner. The MRI indicated swelling, but the CT scan revealed the dilation had not increased. She as at home again with the same medication and back to ground zero with her physical limitations. The only difference is now we are ever present with a choice. The doctors we have here in Oregon are wonderful but they aren't going to make any decisions for us. They just present us with the following options:
1. Her dilation qualifies her to have surgery performed but it has not increased in 3.5 years. We can treat medically until we absolutely have to have surgery, in the meanwhile risking age and suffering through limitations, but hoping time will improve surgery technique.
2. Press the reluctant team to perform the surgery but risk paralysis, kidney failure, and the thousands of other risks involved (not to mention - death) with this type of surgery.
It seems there are statistics out there for the risk of surgery but I have not been able to find anymore information on what risk there is to just wait it out. Anyone have any information on this?
I am just starting my search but do feel it is important to get additional consultation. After all, even people in the medical field have inconsistencies with their attitudes regarding quality of life.
Update: 29 Jan 2004
Mom never chose to repair her aortic dissection. It has been nearly six years since her diagnosis and little has changed in the tear. However, since my last update, she has developed adult onset diabetes and has become even more stringent in maintaining her diet, but it is hard for her (delighting in culinary treats is one of her favorite things to do) and she is often depressed. It is very difficult for a healthy person like me to convince someone who has been through so much to feel empowered. And in my ignorance I often get short tempered with her and drown in guilt afterwards. I can only hope that God will soften both our hearts before we waste away into a state of apathy.
On her good days, I marvel at her resiliency and she still continues to take daily walks with our family black labrador, Auggie. Strangely, Auggie seems to age with my mother. She has two grandchildren to keep her young...at heart. Outside the genetic and physical aspect of this disease, I'm beginning to believe that the issues and resentment we pin up inside of ourselves take root in our heart. Part of the suffering, part of the diseases we incur, must be our hearts telling us they want to be set free.