newly diagnosed ascending thoracic aortic swelling
Posted , 6 users are following.
I have just had enlarged ascending TAA shown by echocardiogram which was checking for something else 4.9cms. I have seen a cardiologist (not too long a wait) he told me nothing I didn't know (which is very little) and ordered an MRI scan - which we knoew he would. I thought that would be that day considering the severity of the conditon - about 6 weeks. All very matter of fact cold and unsupportive. That's my main complaint. I feel very sad.
0 likes, 17 replies
dresc0 xtine
Posted
Hi Xtine,
Finding out the news is very hard, and you need to look at the postives, they have found it now. You have an extremely high survival rate now, most people are unaware and this is when the risks are so high. I would say put your trust in your cardiologist, they will be doing the MRI to check the severity and whether the risk are greater performing surgery against the TAA rupturing. From what I have read online anything over 5.5cm is classed as high risk and the rate an aneurysm can vary but yearly growth can be minimal.
I know everything I am saying does not take the worry away or fix the problem. The fear is always there and to be honest won't go away, for me I feel it will never go away. I felt joining this group has helped me, being able to talk to other people about it reading their stories.
Be Strong
xtine dresc0
Posted
thank you dresc0 sorry reply taken son long didn't realise I had replies they had gone onto quarantine! I'm OK with it now. Not rational but for the moment I am putting my trust in the cardiologist. that is not always how I feel! thanks for the reply
DebW xtine
Posted
Dresc0 is right. I feel people don't really understand the fear unless they have been in the same situation.
My aneurysm is 5.7cm if that can give you any comfort. It is an aortic root aneurysm, and typically surgery would be done at 4.7 to 5.2 cm but when I was diagnosed in March, mine was already 5.7cm. I am still waiting for a surgery date.
Try to relax and not worry too much. I found the longer I knew about my condition,the better I was able to deal.with my fear. I have gone from outright panic attack to just being tjankfulnfor each and every day. I recommend deep breaths...a lot of deep breaths. Best wishes as you go forward in this journey. This forum is great to help answer questions.
ron30793 DebW
Posted
DebW ron30793
Posted
No Ron. I still don't have a date. Last conversation with surgeons office ... "we are hoping to have you in for surgery in September"... apparently summer holidays, etc. and a sudden increase in hospitalizations over the last few weeks has decreased my chance of surgery in the next week or so.
Thank you for asking. How are you doing?
ron30793 DebW
Posted
Hi Deb. I'm doing a little better. Trying not to think about the surgery. I may have a few years before I need it. I think I'm glad I didn't know I had it 12 years ago because then I would have worried even longer. Please keep in touch and let me know how your surgery goes. Best of luck for a speedy recovery.
xtine DebW
Posted
thanks DedW you are right. It can be overwhelming and then I just put it back in the cupboard. Hard to explain isn't it. You realise you can't live properly with that kind of fear. And definitley deep breaths and a dash of gratitude for being alive at all. Are you in the UK?
ron30793 DebW
Posted
DebW ron30793
Posted
Hello Ron, Sorry to report that I have not had surger yet, nor do I have a date.
Now it looks like I am going to need specialty dental work done (deep root scaling and an extract). One of my most anxious times is in a dentist's chair, so they are thinking they want to put me to sleep. Can't see the "sleep" dentist until Mid October for a consult. Very disappointed I was not advised to to this when I had my pre-op in June.
Well, again this is something out of my control, so I will just relax and get done whatever needs to be done to keep me healthy.
Thank you for asking. How are you?
ron30793 DebW
Posted
I’m doing ok. I’m still having trouble getting to sleep at night. I keep thinking about surgery when things get quiet. I’m ok during the day but night time is rough. I’m at 4.8 cm and will be checked again next summer.
I’m sending positive energy your way!
ron30793 xtine
Posted
I just found out I have an ascending aortic aneurysm of 4.7 and a bicuspid valve. I'm really stressed. I can't sleep at night because I keep thinking about the surgery.
Rg_1972 ron30793
Posted
I had horrible sleep before my TAA dissection, (i had no prior idea about it) I had a lot of stress, headaches, & anxiety prior to it happening. Now just taking things easy, I'm still laboring at that. Hard time being grateful, I need to get some spiritual healing or something. Hang in there, Be Healthy!
xtine ron30793
Posted
Hi Ron, I worry that I wont get surgery and then I look at the surgery and go oh gawd. Are you in the UK? I've got my MRI date now (it was an 8 week wait) at the end of September. I just hope they made a mistake! Will be for the best though because I can get some really weird breathing problems - when I can't breathe when over exerting I would like to know it it has anything to do with it...could that be leaky valve? Are you in the UK?
ron30793 xtine
Posted
Hi Xtine. I'm in San Francisco. I was having some shortness of breath which led to a chest X-ray which led to a CT scan which showed my 4.7 cm aneurysm. The shortness of breath is new this year. I don't know if it's from my valve or not because they said although it is a bicuspid valve it was still working well. I am now in the watch and worry phase. I think I'm mostly afraid of the surgery. I hope your MRI shows that your aneurysm hasn't grown and you can wait and worry too. I'll get my next checkup in July 2018.
alex_38985 xtine
Posted