Mid-January and Mother Nature has been kind - so far. We've been needing rain and we're getting it. Yes, some snow from time to time, but luckily in manageable amounts that don't last too long. I'm hopefully optimistic, but am well aware of what February can mean to the North East.
I had my follow-up appointment with Dr. Pare today to discuss the CAT scan I had at the end of 2016. [Technically it's called a CT scan, but the vernacular always leans to CAT]. I was really hoping that he would be telling me that the aneurysm has gown a little, but we'll continue to monitor - NOT. Unfortunately, the opposite transpired.
Dr. Pare greeted me and asked me to have a seat (not a good sign). After exchanging pleasantries, he asked if we had discussed the stint. [Geesh, cut right to the chase.] I said, "We did, briefly." He then excused himself to retrieve a stint. On the way out he said, "You are a good candidate for the stint."
Upon his return he had something resembling Chinese finger cuffs. He then told me that my aneurysm was now 5.5 cm [Sh*t] and we now have to look at options. He began a rough drawing trying to depict my aorta and bulging sack. He mentioned that the CAT scan was clear and he could see that it had progressed to the point where I was encouraged to do something. He gave me the sample stint and told me that it is inserted through my femoral artery and it opens to what we are now looking at. He positioned the stint over his drawing to demonstrate where it would be placed and then showed another piece that is attached. [Looked like a pair of pants.]
He said the procedure is day surgery. Generally, the patient is admitted the night before and given a blood thinner. The apparatus is inserted at the groin (both sides). Most are discharged that day. The recovery is quick and entails changing the dressing with yearly follow ups. He did say there was a risk of endo-leaks, but it did not require surgery to remedy. Like any procedure there are other risks, but each is monitored. I asked what the time-frame was. Dr. Pare said that 'the company' would take measurements from my CAT scan image and produce a customized stint. He mentioned that my bulge was far enough above the 'split'. This makes for a better 'seating' of the stint.
I had mentioned two other types that I have heard of and he was very supportive of my looking into those options. He said that the more information I had - the better. So he's going to contact the company and initiate their measurement process and he will contact me next week to discuss a timeline. He thought that it might be 6-8 weeks for the procedure.
Now I've reach a point where I have to do something. I will re-connect with St. Elizabeth's in Brighton to see how their 'pilot' program is progressing. They have a 'new' procedure that decreases/eliminates endo-leaks where they inject a polymer into the sack.
So, more research and phone calls are on the agenda.
More to come.
