Aortic Health Awareness

December 7th, 2011 my life changed, forever. Actually, it changed before that, but it was this day when I came to the full realization of that change. I got up that morning feeling miserable. My chest ached, I ached, my back was killing me. The previous August, my husband had taken me to the ER with the same pain. I was diagnosed as having a mild heart attack. The pain and discomfort continued. 9 days in the hospital and my cardiologist had me believing that the pain was in my head and I was enjoying the attention too much. (BTW, if you are in chronic pain and your doctor tells you that, FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR!!!)

That day was a Wednesday. I dragged myself out of bed, dressed, took my daughter to school then I decided to go workout. After all, a workout always makes you feel better, right? I did very little at the gym, continued to feel worse so I decided to call it quits and and head home. I passed by a place that does hair and there was a sign outside the door that said "Walk - In's Welcome". I decided to get my hair done because getting your hair done always makes you feel better, right? Not that day. Afterwards I go home, went to bed and curled up in a ball. The pain continuing to get worse the whole time.

After phone calls to my GP and my husband, we decided a trip to the ER was in order. An EKG showed that I was not having a heart attack so they sent me to have a CT (Cat Scan) and that was when my dissection was discovered. An aortic dissection of the descending aorta type B. And it had been there a while, but the medication that I was put on in August slowed the progression of the dissection.

My dissection was/is not as severe as the example in the middle bottom, but this graph shows the location of where my aneurysm was located.

My New Normal

I was fortunate. After a night in CVICU with IV infusions of meds that would take my blood pressure down really low, it was determined that surgery nor a stint was needed. My meds were increased & I got to go home a couple of days later. For months I could do very little. No more workouts for a long time. I could however do a 30 minute mile walk.

Almost 6 years later, life is much different. I take it at a slower pace. I understand that it is a miracle of God that I am even here. I am blessed beyond measure with a supportive husband, family and church family. Life is a "new normal", which I have accepted.

Aortic Dissection Awareness

September is the month for Aortic Health Awareness and September the 19th is a day that we emphasize and promote awareness for aortic dissections. In 2011, 50% of all aortic dissections were diagnosed on the autopsy table. YES! that is correct! 1 person in 10,000 have an aortic dissection and they are totally unaware of it. Save a life! Know what the symptoms are. Know "Ritter's Rules". If you are experiencing chest, back, torso (also can radiate to the neck & jaw) pain, indigestion, stomach upset, go to the ER. If an EKG shows that it is not a heart attack and they try to tell you it is something you ate, etc, insist on a CT or MRI. Rule out a dissection! 

How Can You Help?

This month and in particular, this week there are fundraisers in the form of 5k Run/Walks all over the country. To find one near you go to www.active.com and in the search section type in "Aortic Health" and participate! There is a great one scheduled in Tuscaloosa, AL by the Riverwalk. I am so excited about participating in that one. 😊 An Aortic Warrior sister, Diane Bishop has done a great job organizing and setting up that event. And if you are in the Central Alabama area, please come join us! Diane promises that we will be finished before the Alabama Football Game! 

What Else?

Let me preface with I am so blessed that we have insurance. My husband is able to provide for us comfortably and is thankful that I am alive. Many Aortic Warriors are not so fortunate. They have lost jobs, businesses, or worse, discovered that they can no longer handle the stress and rigors of their jobs/businesses. That leads to loss of insurance, spouses, well you get the idea. They have medical bills piling up. Some have little ones to feed. I have read some heartbreaking stories on some of the forums. Recovery is very long and hard. Some cannot ever go back to work and disability (if they can get it) does not come near what they need to cover their expenses. The Aortic Warrior may look fine on the outside, but I promise you, it is all that they can do to get out of bed, get dressed and stay upright for as long as they need to. Until about 6-8 months ago, I slept 9+ hours a night and took a nap everyday. 

Minister to Them

And I mean more than the "I'll pray for you..." Ask where they need help. Offer to set up some type of fundraiser for them. If the yard becomes overgrown and needs work, get a group of neighbors together to help them with their yard. (This patient may not be able to do yard work for a very long time, if ever.) The same with the house. Be the "Hands & Feet of Jesus". For a year or so I could dust, sweep, do dishes, but I couldn't vacuum. Recovery is long! Offer to transport the children or even the patient to where they need to go. When it comes to food, remember that the patient needs low sodium or sodium free food. Low in fat and sugar is a good idea as well. If you know of a job that is stress free and very low activity, let them know. It may be something that they can do to provide an income. I now do consumer direct marketing with a eCommerce company that manufactures wellness products for their customers. I am able to work at my pace and it is a form of work, that if I had to, and given time, could make a comfortable living.

Learn and be aware of the symptoms of an aortic dissection and aneurysm. If you suspect that you or a friend or loved one is experiencing a dissection, call 911! If you get to the ER and you are told that it is not a heart attack, insist on a CT or MRI. Be an Advocate! Whether for yourself or a friend/loved one. 

And, if you know of someone who is recuperating from a dissection, remember it takes a long time to heal. Life will never be the same for them. Find out how you can help. And if you need to, enlist some people to help you help them. You will truly make a difference in their lives. And the blessings that you will experience will be one of those special... 

Little things in life. 

Missy