Cala's Profile

I was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm (4.7, I think) after a cardiac workup for tachycardia in 2016, when I had pneumonia. An echo followed by a CT scan confirmed my ascending aortic dilatation. I have since been monitored with yearly scans. This year, my aneurysm measured 5.4 on the echo, followed by a confirmatory CT scan. My surgeon currently measures it at 5.6. I will be having open heart surgery on May 22 to remove and replace my ascending aorta. I marvel that I will have a piece of dacron polyester at my core and that my body will accept and integrate it without protest! I am a post-partum nurse. A month ago, I found out I could no longer work until the aneurysm repair and my recovery were completed. As disconcerting as this news has been, I feel like the universe is smiling on me--both through the timely discovery of my aneurysm and the timing of my surgical intervention. It has kept me away from the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic in New Jersey. While I wish I could be back at work helping my colleagues and patients, I am grateful that I have this time at home and that my family is here sharing each day with me.