About Me (In My Own Words)
My story started in mid may 2011. A visit to my primary doctor for some minor chest pain lead me to a visit to a cardiologist . An ecocadiogram showed an enlarged aorta and I was sent for a CT scan of my heart. When I cardiologist saw the results of the scan he made an appointment for me to see a surgeon for a consultation at the University of Penn hosspital in Philadelphia. I live right ooutsside of Philadelphia and the appointment was scheduled for june 9th. The office called me and had to reschedule by one week so it was now scheduled for june 16th. I was concerned about this and asked the surgeons office, and my cardiologist, and my primary doctor if it was ok to wait and all agreed that the results of the ct scaan lead them to believe ot was ok to wait. On june 11th while driving my car I suddenly felt something happen and I knew it was due to the heart problem but I was not sure what was happening. I was short of breath but i can not remember the other symptoms. I luckily was a few minutes from my moms house and I managed to drive there. The only person I found the was my nephew who was cutting grass. I told him to drive m ASAP to the locaal hospital which was also where I had the CT scan done. I do not remember much after that till I woke up about 15 hours later in the ICU after surgery for type a aortic dissection. When I was taken to the hospital I was ablle to tell them that I was there for the CT scan recently and luckily the cardiologist was actuallly there in the hospitaal that day so he knew what was happening. I was taken in an ambulance to a location where a helicoptor coupld air lift me to university of penn hospital where the emergency surgery was performed. A mechanical valve was put in to repair. I stayed in the hospital for 11 days. While there due to heart block complications I had to have a permanent pace maker put in. Today is july 29th and my recovery is going well except ofr some minor issues. I saw the surgeon last week and he released me to drive which was great. I am having some trouble walking and I get week in one of my legs when I walk for more than 5 minutes. I am going to have a ct scan next week to see if the is a circulation problem. I am haing weekly blood drawn test test the pt/inr and that is all good. This has been quite an experience and I am glad to have found this web site where I can read all the stories that others have written .
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania