Bill & Ana
Born in 1943, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Presently living in Richmound,Virginia. 4 years Active Navy and retired reserve, Married 1978 two sons both in college one studying medicine the other business. Two daughters from a previous family who have blessed us with six grandchildren. Bachelor Business Loyola, MBA Embry Riddle University. Aerospace worker 21 years, Construction finance and Adjunct Professor 19 years. Forced retirement 2004. Hobbies include gardening and fishing.
AAA Rupture Repair June 7, 2004 at Approximately 7PM
18 November 2004
My Abdominal aorta aneurysm ruptured after my shift as a volunteer at the rescue squad, We had our share of normal chest pains and shortness of breathing that day but around 5:30 that evening the tones went off and Virginia and I took the call. We arrived on scene and determined it was a hospital transport. The lady was very heavy but we managed to get her in the ambulance and to the hospital. We returned to the station around 6:30. I said goodnight to the 4th crew who had duty that night. My son was on that crew. Within a few hundred yards of home I experienced a sharp pain in the small of my back, My only thought was I must have pulled a muscle and put heat on it. By the time I got home I was not able to get comfortable or vomit or otherwise relieve myself, the body had already beginning to shut down. My wife called 911.
Most of the rest of the story for about three weeks I was told by others. The 4th crew came immediately my son, two EMT's and a Paramedic, all were people I had worked with in the past and trusted very much. They did not waste any time getting me to the hospital. We went code three all the way, Jim the paramedic had already discovered the rupture. A call was made to the hospital, while enroute, so the Emergency Room was prepared for my arrival at Saint Mary's Hospital.
I do not know personally what happened but I was told I went into surgery and they discovered a 7.5 rupture and a loss of 4 pints of blood. The Doctor spent over six hours in surgery repairing the rupture and told my wife it did not look good. I was still bleeding and he could not find the source. He took some more tests and I went back for a second surgery. During this surgery I had a mild heart attack and a stroke. The Doctor told my wife that twenty-two pints of blood were used during the operation an all that can be done is wait to see if the bleeding stops on its own. My wife said she spent the rest of the night and the next day with the priest.
June 10, 2004
My wife received some good news from the Doctor, the
blood has clotted but he does not know the extent of the damages. I
was on a breathing tube and many other devices for about three
weeks. Each day seemed to show improvement After the third week the
majority of the tubes were removed and I was breathing on my
own.
June 30, 2004
I was beginning to understand what happened and what
was not coming right back. My speech was mumbled and I had to work
with a speech therapist, I had difficulty swallowing and my memory
was short, I could not stand up or walk and need both occupational
and physical therapy I was later told that I was very fortunate
that my circulation came back when it did or I would have lost my
legs due to gangrene, I had already had a portion of my colon and
my entire spleen removed. I have little control over the bladder
and bowl. There is no speculation as to when it may return if ever.
I still have shortness in breath and tired. The right leg is still
weak, and I have to rest often.
I was transported by the rescue squad to The Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Center. This was hard and took a lot of work on my behalf but it was all worth it. They taught me how to do things for my self. Grooming, self sanitary control and personal confidence. My speech had improved and I have use of my extremities. These folks were tremendous. I continued to participate as an out patient up to last month and now am doing all my exercises at home. I am still seeing improvements everyday.
August 21, 2004
I had one set back in Aug where my blood pressure was
out of control and had to go to the hospital for observation. It
turned out to be a UTI.
October 15,2004
I also had renal stints inserted but it is too soon to
see what benefit they will bring.
Update: 11 August 2005
November, 2004
This is the first time I got to meet with an
Urologist. I expected him to say everything was going to return to
normal and within a few months everything will be working well. The
Urologist stated, "Things are not going to return to normal, I have
had major damage during the rupture and after the operation there
is extensive nerve damage. He said we could wait another six months
and see if anything comes back, However, don't be optimistic.
February 2005
Wow I got to live through another birthday, although
there were some things that were not functioning well. I had a
chance to add one more number to my age. This was a great day, my
wife and children could plan for a future without constantly worry
about me. I had seen the Social Security Doctor and was approved
for SSDI. It had started this month so I had some form of
income.
March 2005
It's time to see my regular doctors. A Nephrologist,
Internist and a Neurologist. This was going to be a busy month. I
had taken a number of tests earlier this month and now I am going
to discuss the results with these doctors. All these folks work
from the same hospital. It makes it nice to be able to ask
questions and direct your question to the proper discipline. Well
this is what I found out. I have a partial paralysis in my lower
back and legs, edema in both ankles. I also experience weakness and
muscle contractions in the lower extremities. Due to nerve damage
from the rupture. My blood pressure is still high, but is
controlled by medication. My Kidneys and liver are functioning
well. So what does this mean to me? I will have to live with what I
got , the doctors do not recommend additional surgery at this
time.
I feel very lucky to be alive. Even with the physical problems that remain. The damage has been done. I have to rest more and plan my actives around a new life style but the Life is still there. I will not give up. I will look for things that can be done at my pace. I am looking into doing accounting or bookkeeping in my home.
August 2005
Well it has been over a year and the Doctors have been
correct so far. I still do not have function of my bladder or full
function of my lower extremities. You learn to do with what you
got, that's the bad news. The good news is I know how to live with
the bad news. We have kept everything on the up beat at home. My
family is the patient now, they need all the encouragement they can
get. The oldest son went off for his training as a second Lt. In
the Army and is now taking additional courses for a medical degree.
The other son is finishing his degree in business and my wife is
working and spending time reflecting on her mother. She was taken
from us in May, 2005 by lung cancer. Fortunately, my family does
not have to spend their time watching over me.
I have read the narratives from other people and admire the courage they demonstrate. It has been the experience of other authors that has inspired my independence. I get strength from these people and this allows me to build on the strengths of others. Thank you folks for sharing and lending some of your tenacity and courage.
Update: 12 November 2005
As of today I feel wonderful. I am completely taking care of all my needs without any assistance from others. Thanks to God and the Doctors. My speech is back to the way it was, I can walk with some assistance from a leg brace. this gives me great mobility and I still feel my kitchen is a pharmacy.
The things that have not returned are no longer a problem to me. I have learned one does not take life for granted, you play the cards that you are dealt and make the best of them. God must have a reason why we were spared and left on earth to accomplish more. I can see this by the letters others have written. I wonder what they will do with this life extension. You folks have inspired me to go on by some of the stories I have read. Ana and I wish all of you a very blessed Holiday season.
Discussion, comments, or questions: Bill Thomson
© Copyright 2004 William C.
Thomson
All Rights Reserved - Fair Use
acknowledged
