I am a 76 year old male who has always been active all my life. I was still playing tennis 3 times a week, swimming a half mile daily and lifted some weights three times a week. In late February of this year I was dressed for a tennis game when I was struck with a intense back pain so I asked my wife to call and cancel. A few moments late I had an excruciating pain across my abdomen and slumped to the floor. My wife called 911 and they shortly arrived with me on the floor and vomiting.
From this point on I am rather hazy on the details except what my doctors and family members have related to me. In any event I had a ruptured aortic aneurysm and spent the next 6 hours on the operating table. They were unable to stop the bleeding from arteries above or near my kidneys. A quick decision was made by my surgeon to open my upper chest area so to hopefully stop the bleeding. I was later told that I required over 22 units of plasma and that my survival did not look good.
I was in intensive care for a week, then a week in a telemetry room followed by a week in rehab. My Doctors and nurses who were wonderful called me the "Miracle Man". I am now in my 3rd month of recovery and feel like I am making excellent progress. I haven'tt gained much weight back( everyone says I was a little heavy anyway) and not to worry. I have some numbness in my left upper leg but I am able to do my walking and swimming with out any problem. I am looking forward to getting an OK from Doctor to resume my tennis.
I have been very blessed with wonderful support from my family, friends, and wonderful Doctors. As my Doctor told me we had the greatest support of all from God. I was told that I do have another aneurysm (smaller) which we will be watching carefully!