My father was born and raised in Niagara falls New York. My mother and father were married for 43 years. He had two daughters and two sons. He enjoyed camping with all of us at our cabins also loved every holiday! My dad was the one that put it all together and none of us kids would miss any party for anything even when my brothers had to work they would come over either before or after work. During the summer my dad would make chowder for the 4th of July, Labor day, memorial day. We would gather at my parents most of the time to help cut up everything for it he would cook it on our fire pit. The guys would say when the case of beer between them was gone the chowder was done. My Dad was a great father and Grandfather he would take the Grand kids to Buffalo Bison games for the season opener. This is bad but, we would keep our kids home from school so they could go to the game with their Grandpa because they loved every minute of it. He would go four wheeling at the camp. Also he would take the kids to train shows that was his hobby, among others. ALSO, my dad loved taking pictures whenever any of us had a get together my dad would take pictures of everyone and get double prints. Sometimes we would be like, "geeze dad", because woman do not like there picture taken. LOL But, I am so thankful he did because of all the memories we have now. By the way my dad was an architect up until he retired in 2001.
My father had a abdominal aortic aneurysm, he had it for years. It finally went up to a 4cm, but that took 2 years. Our family doctor knew of my dads concerns and recomended a doctor in our area (highly recomended). So, my mom and dad went to see him. After running tests after tests he told my parents my dad was a good candidate for the stent Graft.
He went in for surgery August 7, 2002. The precedure took longer than we had thought, but the doctor said everything went very well. That night my dad was taken out of bed because the wounds were bleeding. They had to apply presure to stop the bleeding. The next day they released him.
He came home was stiff but the doctor assured him this was to be expected. After a week he was moving around but his foot was swollen. He called the doctor again and was told to elevate his foot also that he should try to move around more and get the circulation moving . ALSO that my father could drive as long as he was not on any pain medication but not to lift anything over 10 pounds.
It was 2 weeks and 1 day after surgery my father was on his way to the doctors to get what we all thought a clean bill of health. But on his way walking out the door he collapsed was rushed to the hospital and died. He was 64 years old.
I and my whole family can not believe this has happened. We are so devastated. He left behind 11 grandchildren that adored him also 4 children. As I read more about this AAA My dad did not need the surgery right now. It was only 4cm and not growing. We were not told all the facts on how dangerous the stent is I would not recommend this surgery to anyone it is too new and not enough research has been done. Also some doctors, in my opinion have not been taught enough on this. PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH I DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO GO THROUGH WHAT WE ARE. THANK YOU FOR LETTING MY GET THIS OFF MY CHEST.