Life after an Aneurism
By Peter Carroll - 01/02/2008
I have written this article because I feel very strongly that a scan for abdominal aortic Aneurisms (AAA) - of which I am a survivor - should be standard for the over 50s. Thankfully I understand that pilot projects to screen for the condition are being set up this year. I owe my life to my doctor and the medical team at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth who discovered the defect on a scan - which was liable to rupture at any time.
AAA's can be likened to a perished inner tube that is about to burst. Some strokes and other problems relative to blood vessel disorders are now being related to aneurisms, and they are more common in males over fifty - who are also advised to tell their male offspring that they could inherit the disease.
Significantly, AAAs are one of the few major life threatening conditions that show no obvious symptoms. It all started for me when I went to see my GP about back ache, and wanted a prescription. But I was diagnosed as having a prostrate problem: "It's huge," commented my GP on examining me - but fortunately it was benign; so, rather than have an operation I opted for just the capsules.
But that wasn't the end of it. Having taken blood tests for my prostrate, my GP discovered something unusual and sent me for further tests. Then it was: "Peter, I have received your results and would like you to attend Torbay hospital for a CT scan."
A week after the scan he called me back to the surgery: "I have to tell you that you have a very large abdominal aortic aneurism which requires urgent repair." He went on to explain that an aneurysm is the stretching of a weakened artery which balloons out rather like a worn motor car tyre - and in my case the aneurysm effected the aorta which was the main artery into the abdomen.
Because my chances of survival would be unlikely if it ruptured, my GP pressed for an urgent consultation. I was fortunate indeed that the backache prompted me to do something which I hadn't done for years - see a doctor.
My excellent consultant at Torbay Hospital wanted to ask for a second opinion from his mentor, Simon Ashley, the head vascular surgeon at Derriford Hospital, because of the closeness of my aneurism to my kidneys. That meant another CT scan and it was decided I would be admitted into Derriford for the operation on the 27th June, 2005 - three months later.
For me, and especially my wife Daphne, the three month wait for an operation was a very trying time - especially as I was aware my chances of survival were minimal if my aneurysm had ruptured. But Daphne and I found solace in making light of what we call the 'Blue Toe' syndrome because during the waiting period, I was advised to call immediately the hospital direct if my big toe turned blue!
During that three month waiting period I kept thinking how grateful I was to have already had three score years and ten on this lovely planet without any serious medical disorders. One lovely Nurse Linsey told me I was 'too patient a patient' and should have contacted them much earlier regarding an admission date.
At 72 my operation was considered to be a little risky, although some of the other patients I met with AAA were my age and older - and they had had successful operations thanks to the expertise of the surgical and medical staff. I undertook all the necessary pre- op tests to ensure I was a right for the major operation, Fortunately I had stopped smoking three years before so all was set. Otherwise I may not have survived.
On the 6th July I was discharged - the operation had been successful and the repair completely satisfactorily. A titanium tube was placed inside the weakened artery after a neat cut down the centre of the artery to form a sac which was then sown 'double breasted' over the graft to complete the operation. I was also advised that it was good news about my kidneys: there was no damage from the five hour operation - and in fact their condition had improved.
The only slight down was that Mr Ashley had to remove part of my lung which in retrospect has also proved to be good news because the plaque there - which had developed because of my early contact with asbestos sheeting - seems to have gone too!
The operation saved my life and gave me, and several others like me at Derriford, a new lease of life. I shall never forget the sheer determination and utter devotion by all the medical staff - to say nothing of their patience and permanently cheerful disposition. Nothing was too much trouble for them, which played a very big part in my rapid recovery. I cannot give enough praise to all the medical fraternity, given the very special postoperative nursing and treatment required after this operation.
The medical profession is still unsure what prompts the condition to arise in the first place, but hopefully the it will not be too long before all men over 50 will qualify for a free scan, and if an aneurysm is caught in the early stages an operation may not be required.
More than two full years have now passed and the 4th of July 2007 marked Henry's second birthday. 'Henry'? - well you see I am now bionic and that is the name I have given to the tube inside.
Thank you again to all those wonderful medics for giving me a new lease of life which is so precious. I especially thank my surgeon, Mr. Simon Ashley, my GP, Dr. James Bullen and Nurse Linsey, Who chased up my operation appointment.
Mature Times comments:
"The National Screening Committee (NSC) has confirmed that AAA screening could be offered to men aged 65 - provided that the men invited were given clear information about the risks of elective surgery, and that steps were taken to create networks of vascular surgical services to allow further specialisation, bigger throughput and therefore lower risk."