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8 November 2006
One night in July 2002 while eating dinner, my 80-year-old father began to complain of severe stomach pains. Stubbornly, he wanted to drive himself to the hospital, thinking it was just a simple hernia problem, which he knew he had. After being admitted we were told it was an AAA and he would have to be operated on within the next 24 hours as the aneurysm was at about 6 cm or more. It was also discovered at this time that he had a thoracic aneurysm, which at the time was at about 5.5 cm.
After a successful but somewhat difficult aneurysm surgery (he also had an iliac artery bypass) he was doing very well, until it was discovered that the surgeon had nicked or severed his ureter. My father had to then be fitted with a nephrostomy tube and bag. CT scans revealed that his kidney would most likely have to be removed because the ureter was not reparable. While recuperating at home he had a very difficult time as the nephrostomy tube would stop-up or leak and he could only sleep on one side. So after 4 months of agony with this device and not being able to sleep properly he was finally scheduled for a nephrectomy in November. The main complication that my father had after both surgeries was with eating. He had stomach paralysis and an irritated esophagus, which made it difficult to consume food for several weeks. He also had a severe case of diverticulitus, which landed him back in the hospital for a few days.
After both surgeries we were told that they would monitor the thoracic aneurysm and within 6 months of the nephrectomy he had another CT scan. This showed that the thoracic aneurysm was now at 5.4 - 5.7 cm. The surgeon, who was with another medical team, said that that there was "no change". He was told that it would be a good idea to wait another 6 months and have another CT scan. Again after the next CT, my father was told that there had been little change and that it was not yet at 6 cm, which is normally when most aneurysm operations are done. My father was not happy with the surgeon's jocular disposition when he told my father that he should go about doing what he normally does and that, "he had to die of something". Of course the doctor was being realistic in telling my father that it would be too risky to perform the surgery and that yes, it could also burst at any time. My father wasn't amused. It was after this that we decided to get a second opinion. We also felt that my father's age was a deciding factor in how he was being treated and given advice.
We then went to a get a second opinion at a university hospital to visit a specialist; my father was then told that it would be wise to be more proactive with the situation, as the aneurysm could calcify. But first, the specialist suggested, that he would need to get an angiogram before he could proceed any further to see the condition of his heart. So off again to the local hospital we went for the angiogram, and lo and behold we found out that he had 90 percent blockages in 3 arteries. This of course meant a triple bypass. After 2 major surgeries within a span of 2 years, my father was about to have another.
Thankfully, he recovered very well from the triple bypass, which was in April of 2004. The next CT scan showed that the aneurysm was anywhere from 5.7 to 7 cm. I understand that CT readings are suspect to the doctor's or the technician's eye, so this wide gap in cm size was a concern. The surgeon who performed the bypass has told us that there is a slight curvature to my father's aorta where they suspect the aneurysm is, and the aneurysm was possibly not as large as suspected. We went back to the specialist with another CT from the local hospital and we were told that the images were not clear enough, in fact the specialist said they were "awful". We have since visited the university specialist again and my father finally got an MRA, (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) which showed that there actually WAS NOT A THORACIC ANEURYSM and that the curvature of the aorta made it look like an aneurysm on the CT Scan. A big difference when you have the right medical imaging equipment! We are all thankful that it was not another aneurysm and it just proves that it is important to get a SECOND OPININON. According to the specialist a curved aorta is common.
My father is now fairly active; he walks 2-3 times a week for 20-30 minutes. He does light yard work and other light physical activities. His mental outlook is very positive and I think that's what helps the most. He's in better shape than most 60 year olds.
Just a note: My father was a moderate smoker for 25 years and quit in his fifties, and has had low cholesterol readings for the last 10 years. He was diagnosed with diabetes about 7 years ago, and other than a cold here or there and an occasional flu bug, has never been ill.
I find it interesting that there isn't more done about screening for abdominal aneurysms during routine physical examinations. A simple, inexpensive, sonogram can often find them, and one should have access to an MRA if need be.
Good luck and God bless all who have had to endure these types of aneurysms. Don't ever give up!
Discussion, comments, or questions: Janine Noelle
© Copyright 2006 Janine Noelle
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