Aortic Aardvark's interview
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How did all start?
Chest pain whilst out in town. Drove home during the dissection and eventually hospitalised later but not diagnosed until following morning
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Full length type B dissection then aneurysm in thoracic aorta
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
TEVAR for the aneurysm rest is meds controlled
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
TEVAR and CBT
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Getting to grips with some things I’m advised not to do
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Socially I’m more reclusive but mainly because I work full time and I’m tired from that. Bizarrely I now find it difficult to cope in noisy environments such as pubs and restaurants.
What things have you stopped doing?
Lift no more than 15kg. No sport played. No activity that could easily lead to upper body impact
What do you think about the future?
The future is positive thanks to other aortic warriors anc family support
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
On reflection my whole life has been a great learning curve and therefore even the bad bits are good
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Play more sport
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
One day you realise it’s not a rehearsal so you may as well make the most of it
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Do as you’re told by the medics and you’ve a better chance of a longer life
