March 1, 2012
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Getting Prepared: AAA Surgery
I started this New Year with the news that my abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was getting larger and needed to be repaired. The vascular surgeons regularly checked it for the past several years ever since the Lifeline Screening I’d had done at our church discovered it. Never had any symptoms but decided taking the test would be a good idea. I was right!
My nice Irish heart specialist doctor, Patrick C., said, “Joyce, get on the table and lay down. I want to feel your groin.” Now, there are a lot of things I could have said like “Oh, goodie” or “It’s been a long time”, et cetera; but I behaved myself with a simple, “Okay.” Irish had his way with me then said he thought I’d be a good candidate for the EVAR procedure which is much less invasive and also has a much faster recuperation time. He left a voice message to his EVAR specialist colleague describing me as a “slenderish 79 year old female.” He evidently kissed that Blarney Stone when he was in Ireland the last time. I wish I’d asked him to write that down so I could frame it.
Anyway, the tests needed before any work could be done were delayed because a dreaded colonoscopy had been scheduled first by my regular doctor. So finally three weeks later the CT scan was done and I saw the doctors again and again. The EVAR surgeon, Dr. Cocco (as in hot chocolate) finally saw me again today and said he was ordering the right size stent for me but first more tests are needed! So next Tuesday morning I’m to be at the hospital for a Myocardial Perfusion Imaging test. They will inject me with some stuff that will make my heart race. I will fast 4 hours before, wear comfortable clothes and maybe while sitting 4 to 6 hours with a racing heart be able to finish that Winner Take All Politics book I’ve been reading. The scheduler said to wear comfortable loose fitting clothes. At least it won’t be as bad as the colonoscopy.
Then a week after that test, I’ll be taking another one….a pulminary test…..for my lungs and breathing etc. Then finally three days after that, I will see Dr. Chocolate again and finally he will schedule the surgery. He is left handed and writes like most lefties do. We talked about that since I’ve 2 left handed kids. He said the Belgium nuns used to get after him because of it and added that he does his surgery with his right hand. Hmmmm…..I hope that won’t be a problem.
Needless to say, I’ll be glad when this is all over. I have two graduations to attend…one May 11 at the University of Georgia and another in June in Pennsylvania.
I’m writing this for daughter Val….aka “murisopsis” who plans to come and visit me for a few days after surgery. That’s the best part of this….something to look forward to.
Comments (7)
Wow….I hope you have someone by your side during the surgery. Your tone is so matter of fact when writing this entry, I would be more terrifed than you are! I pray that it is successful.
Well, that is progress. I had to work until 7 pm tonight and have to be there by 6:30 am tomorrow. So I’m signing off – I’ll let work know that it is coming up but not scheduled yet… Love you.
@Lightonwater - Thanks for the visit and comments. It’s not something I’m looking forward to, but this stuff happens when you get to be a certain age; and I consider myself blessed or lucky since I have younger friends who’ve been through many, many more surgeries and had more illness than I ever have had.
@murisopsis - Yep, it IS progress at the speed of that turtle in Aesop’s Fable of the “Hare and the Tortoise”….or visa versa….anyway the point is “Slow and steady wins the race.” Also…Love you too.
@Gma_Joyce - It is so good of you to look on the bright side
“Slenderish”… that’s quite a descriptor. Good luck with the procedure. I’ll be thinking of you and saying a prayer that everyone goes smoothly.
@christao408 - Thanks, Chris….”slenderish” is a weird word, and is the opposite ”chubbyish”? Generally I’m not fondish of those “ish” words but it was pleasantish to be described as slender even with that “ish” tacked on.