My name is Ivan Rene Armendariz-Yañez. I was born on June 3rd 1962. I am an agronomist graduated from Chapingo College of Agriculture in 1984. I work as lecturer/researcher in the Faculty of Animal Science (University of Yucatan) since then. In 1988 I obtained a Master's degree from Reading University (United Kingdom), and a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of London early this year (1998). Main interests are sustainable agricultural production systems and nutrient cycling. I enjoy walking, jogging and playing frontenis. I am married to Margarita and have two sons: Ivan Rene Jr (11) and Jose Angel (8)
I am a 36 year old male, nearly healthy until 2 years ago when I was diagnosed high blood pressure. By that time I only received treatment against stress which was thought to be the main reason behind the high blood pressure problem (I had enrolled in a Ph.D. programme in England and so that seemed a good reason).
On 9th July this year I felt a very strong pain on my chest, which seemed to have gone to the abdomen. Fortunately I was working on my computer and a friend of mine was with me. He took me to the hospital and incredibly, the diagnostic was some kind of gastroenteritis (mind the spelling, please). I left hospital three days later, but there still was a sharp pain (sometimes obscured by the pain killers) on the chest. I went again to the physician and she said that a chest X-ray image might help her have an idea of what the matter was.
Surprisingly, an aortic aneurysm was found, and I was sent to see a cardiologist. He immediately told my wife that the problem was so serious since the problem had grown and become a dissection, and I entered to intensive care unit on 14 July. The cardiologist (Dr Farjat) established contact with a surgeon, whose main area of expertise was open- heart surgery, or something like it. He said that an operation was possible and accepted to operate me.
By the time I was being prepared, Dr Farjat noticed that there was an abnormal flow of blood into the abdominal aorta and thus the liver and one of the kidneys were being affected. Still I was intervened on 19 July. All the time previous to the operation I was conscious.
Everything went fine and recovery has been so satisfactory since then. Three months have elapsed and I feel great again. However, this experience has made me see life with a different attitude. I really enjoy much more life and all it brings. I am glad there are other people who have gone through similar experiences and understand the situation I have gone through too. I would like to know a bit more about other's problems, and also how their recovery went. Please forgive my brave approach and my English (it's not my mother tongue!).