I am a widow with 4 children, 5 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. I am a non-practicing (now) lawyer and a retired judge of the Superior Court of California. I was on the Bench for 16 years in Los Angeles County. In retirement, I am very active in my church (Episcopal), presently serving as the Sr. Warden, serve on the Board of my country club, play golf, usually travel abroad once a year, (not this year), have been involved in an adult literacy program, and read parts of 3 newspapers a day, especially intersted in investment and finance and politics, Starting about 3 years ago, I decided I was having too many aches and pains, so I started walking and I go to a trainer 2x a week. It has really paid off, and I am especially glad now that I feel I am in good physical condition for my age. I have 3 dogs that are good companions in the home. I am a native Southern Californian and presently live in the desert (Rancho Mirage) which is about 12 miles east of Palm Springs.
In September 1999, I went to my internist for my annual physical. Because of a history of smoking, I had had chest x-rays every year for a number of years. This year, I insisted on having a CT scan because I had read an article on how much more perceptive it is than a chest x-ray for early stage lung cancer.
The good news was that my lungs were clear. The bad news was that I have a 5 cm. aneurysm in my ascending aorta. I knew that aneurysms some times have a genetic component and I knew of no one else in my family with this problem. About 3 weeks after I found out about this, a first cousin had a Type A dissection of his ascending aorta.
Although I live in Southern Ca, in the desert, I have been to Stanford to arrange surgery after the lst of the year. My internist and 2 other vascular surgeons thought I should just wait and see if it gets bigger as the surgery is so "massive," that the risk/reward basis is such that I was better off waiting. However, I have decided to go for a prophylactic graft, hopefully before I have a dissection.
I am interested in hearing from anyone else in a similar situation.
Update 1 Mar 2000
I'm in the process of trying to square everything away here at my home before I leave for Stanford next Sunday. Sadly, I am taking in my oldest dog (I have three), which I have had since April 1981 (19!!), tomorrow morning to have her put down. I have decided it's the thing to do, because she is so confused and unable to extricate herself from any problem. I have a person coming in for my dogs twice a day, but I don't believe that is enough for this old dog. Anyway, I had hoped she just might go to sleep, but no such luck. There are disadvantages to being the surviving spouse.
Update 7 Apr 2000
Today is my one month anniversary and I'm pleased to say I think I'm making a good recovery. I did feel depressed last weekend, but having gotten over that, I'm feeling quite upbeat. I'm walking several blocks and I started driving (with a big pillow over my chest under the seat belt) short errands Wednesday. Sleeping is a problem only because my favorite position is on my stomach and that's not going to work for quite a while.