- Aortic Dissection
- Interviews
Bowmanbunch's interview
How did all start?
Ripping in chest
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Same day, but had to be my own advocate. Fireman and then ER told me I was ok. Offered to pay for CT and told them my mom died of an aortic rupture
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Aortic disection
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Supportive family - wife, kids, sisters and mother-in-law
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Reducing physical activity. No soccer, light lifting, slower hiking, and stopping when necessary
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Close friends and family have not changed. Written off at work when condition known, so keep to self
What things have you stopped doing?
Soccer, running, trail running, heavy lifting and backpacks over 25 pounds.
Have to turn back on 20 percent of hikes when heart rate drops below 75 and on steep incline
What do you think about the future?
Future is good. Can still hike, ski and bike with wife and friends
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
Best years were before disection. Empty nester and able to play hard. Now still play but not as hard
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Soccer, harder skiing, harder hiking
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Plays well with others
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Figure out new normal and be ok with it
