Pain In My Lower Back
6 March 1999
Over a 2-week period I had extreme pain in my lower back - and had been losing weight, as well. I couldn't eat properly as most everything tasted awful - even my favorite foods. One night the back pain got so bad my wife took me to the emergency room. After an x-ray they found nothing - simply because the aneurysm was like looking through glass. I was given pain killers and sent home with a diagnosis of having touch of arthritis on my spine.
Two days later went to my doctor complaining bitterly about the pain. He put me in the hospital on a Thursday afternoon for tests. He ordered a knock-out drug. The next morning (Friday) I was operated on for an AAA.
I was on the operating table for 9 1/2 hours - the AAA was 9.5 cm as big as one's open hand - it was banging against my spine (back pain). The section of aorta was replaced with a inverted Y-shaped Dacron graft.
Surprise..Surprise some 6 months later my heart was found to have a "nick" at bottom of heart - it was determined I either was born with the NICK...or Had a "silent" attack sometime in my life.
Update: 14 Mar 2003
Went for CatScan over week end results follow:
Had been complaining, as you know, of pains in my stomach area - sometimes 2-3 a day - then some are extremely sharp enough to make me jump
Found an aneurysm in the stomach area. Nothing other than those words. doctor wants me to see a Cardio-Vascular Surgeon
Also, complaining of pain in right groin area. Making me limp over past 3 weeks. Found a lymph node - infected - says it has to come out - may be 1-day surgery
I mentioned the VA scan which did indicate something but the doctor did not seem to be excited about it. My doctor said - let's not take any chances - make appointment to see the cardio-vascular guy ASAP. Which I will do before the day is out
Update: 16 Mar 2003
Got CT back from my doctor which says:
Scan of the abdomin, pelvis, liver,
spleen and adrenals appear normal as does the pancreas.
The kidneys show evidence of some peripelvic cysts bilaterally but
no solid mass or obstruction is seen.
The gallbladder shows no evidence of stones.
There is noted to be an abdomenal aortic aneurysm with a patent
lumen and clot surrounding the abdomen with calcification.
The AAA measures 5 cm x 5 cm in its greatest diameters.
The abdomen and pelvis otherwise show no evidence of mass.
Noted in the right groin as best visualized on image is what
appears to be a necrotic node - which measures up to 3 cm in size
behind the femoral artery and vein.
Note - a neoplastic node cannot be ruled out.
No other adenopathy is seen.
Now, to compare the VA Ultra Sound back in September - it showed 2 cm AAA. My doctor said the node is infected and has to be removed. Also, have an appointment with Cardio-Vascular man on Tuesday
Update: 19 Mar 2003
Just came back from the doctor - cardio-vascular surgeon. He said that the 5 cm aneurysm could be smaller in that, at times, after such operations, the doctors entwine/wrap around the fleshy part of the left-over aorta - which could (??) make the aneurysm appear larger than it is. He seems to be more concerned with the groin problem. The report/CatScan said there is an infected lymph node and must be removed. He says, once again, he feels the problem may be caused by the dacron leg of the implant (1996) into the groin area causing the problem - possibly thru bleeding.
The implant (1996) is bifurcated - with 2 legs - one down to the right groin and other down to the left groin. He wants to consult with his radiologist tomorrow - and go from there - with a possible need for a ultra sound test. If it turns out to be a lymph node, the problem will be easy to remove etc. He will make that decision on Wednesday and call me Thursday as to what we are going to do.
I asked him is there the ----possibility---- of me being in the hospital this week-end and he said could very well be. As to the aneurysm, he said, matter of factly, that is just a repair. He can do both operations.
Update: 20 Mar 2003
Schedule is as follows:
Saturday, March 22: PreOps = Blood Work - Chest
X-Ray - EKG
Tuesday, Mar 25: Consultation with Cardio Vascular Surgeon as to
how/where/etc re/aneurysm
Wednesday Mar 26: Operation for biopsy of the lymph node.
He has determined it is not another aneurysm - and that it is a lymph node. He also feels that the VA doctor missed the boat in not alerting/discussing the aneurysm in September when it was 2 cm. Thank goodness I obtained copy of my ultra sound. Further, my blood work in January noted a problem with the LYMPH entry - as it was not within normal range - it registered lower. She missed that, as well.
Discussion, comments, or questions: Mike Sheehan
© Copyright 1999 Mike Sheehan
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