I am 55 My wife is about a year and a half older. Between us we have 5 children and including some "adopted ones" 14 grand children. I work in quality control at a company that manufactures laser toner cartrages. My off beat sense of humor runs to while in the hospital I would wait till I thought the nurse was counting respirations then I would hold my breath. In the OR I told the nurses when they were getting ready to shave the groin area that I was already circumsised and did not need any more removed. Simple things like those mentioned helped aleviate the tension I felt.
6 May 2004
I am a 55 year old male, who has very poor typing skills. I found out I had an abdominal aortic aneurysm on 12/2/2003. At that time I had been having a regular physical, and mentioned some discomfort in my abdomen. The doctor decided to order a ct which showed the AAA. At that time they elected a wait & see.
I also have COPD which flaired up and I spent from 12/24/03 till 1/8/04 in the hospital. Naturaly the surgeon didn't want to do anything with the anyeurysm till the breathing got better. The choice was taken away on 3/4/2004 when another ct showed one of the three had dramatically increased ( I should have said earlier the original ct showed three anyeurysms, one about 4.5-5cm on the main aorta the other two on left and right iliac arteries.) After some testing and other delays the operation was done 3/10/04.
Because of the COPD the procedure done was an endograph, with spinal anesthesia. I was awake during the whole procedure,I would do it again without question.
I left the hospital on 3/12/04. I am still a little weak but getting better . The last ultrasound showed everything was ok. I am going for a follow up ct which the doctor expects to be fine . I am hoping to get back to work around 6/1.
I am not great answering mail but will try if anyone has any questions.