Jill's Journal

I might be getting closer to surgery as the Surgeons have requested pre op lung function  tests and I've just done that.  Fingers 🤞 

Best wishes to all. 

Well, I had not foreseen that just a couple of days after my first posting here, that I would be sending my next as an In-patient being worked up for Surgery!

Those symptoms escalated on Monday night to a point when I laid down in bed I got a huge fright as my chest felt so tight and sore and achy and I was so short of breath so had to sit up and was too scared to lie down again!

I couldn't stop the symptoms and so as a precaution I called our UK non emergency health number 111 at 1am for some advice As soon as I mentioned Aortic Aneurysm, the Call handler said, "Stay put! Emergency Ambulance on its way to you!".

To cut a long story short, (well a 24 hrs story short ), I'm being kept in to have all the pre op tests and investigations and being an In patient means that when they've got all that they need and are happy I will be slotted in for the next available slot for surgery. I.can only hope that that doesn't mean October!!

Mind blowing to say the least.

I'm feeling calm, extremely well cared for and enjoying the "enforced rest'! Accepting that this is all real now because I just tidied up my hospital bed sheets, plumped the pillows and just wanted to get back in it as it winded me so much!

I'll keep posting here as the days go on to keep busy There are only so many times a day where you can read the Fire and Evacuation notice on the wall and count how many slats there are in the blind at the window

Best wishes to all.

Hello to All.

I'm hoping to hear of others' experience regarding onset of symptoms with BAV with Stenosis & Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. I was first diagnosed in 2015 and had been under watchful waiting until October 2022.

Between May 2022 and October 2022(6 months) my pressures went up from Peak 32 to 55 and Mean 21 to 34.

My Cardiologist requested a repeat echo in 6 months . He told me that surgery is now inevitable and I accept that. Up until that time I had been asymptomatic ( as far as I discerned).

So, this past month or so, I've been aware of feeling out of breath far more often, particularly noticed it when leaning over ( head lower than heart) but also going up stairs and after a normal walk around the shops. I'm not gasping for breath but know that I need to stop and "calm down my breathing" is the only way I can describe it. Sometimes I also feel a tightness with it in my chest. Also felt faint a couple of times after standing.

BUT, I do not know if these things are psychosomatic??? or are they commensurate with the deterioration of my conditions. I've left a message with my Cardiologist but he's on Leave for the next week.
Can anyone share their experience of onset of symptoms after having previously been essentially unaware of any.

Many thanks in advance for any replies .