midpack 866 #1 Posted November 16, 2022 So. back in June I had an episode of dizziness and confusion. My Dr sent me for a CT scan to look for stroke symptoms and found nothing, so they checked on my heart. Found out I had an Aortic Root Dilation with a valve that was leaking around 40%. Talked to a well renowned surgeon named Dr Joe Flack and he recommended a repair, no big deal, he's done much worse. well, the operation didn't exactly go as planned. they had me on a heart lung machine while they froze my heart to stop it during repair surgery. when they took me off the heart lung machine my Aorta disintegrated! Put me back on the machine and did more repairs. The first surgery lasted over 23 hours straight. they left my chest open for 3 days because they were having trouble getting me to stop bleeding. After the second day of surgery, they told my wife to start planning my funeral, they didn't think I was going to make it. In Critical ICU (at least a month) they were calling me the miracle man, everyone there knew my story. I was in a hospital or rehab from 9/9 to 11/9. I lost a lot of weight, mostly muscle, and have to learn how to walk again, the tubes they had down my throat caused vocal cord paralysis and I can barely speak. But I'm home and extremely thankful for my wife who's a nurse and can decipher their language. Insurance has been a total nightmare and she gets so frustrated with them. Before all this I was feeling fine, but I don't think I would have been around much longer without this accidental finding so I'm grateful for that No tractors for me for a little while, I was really looking forward to trying the tall chute snow blower I got at the end of the season last spring... 1 4 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Freightliner Guy 1,327 #2 Posted November 16, 2022 Glad your ok I hope you get better so you can get back tractors again and be able to continue a good life. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,318 #3 Posted November 16, 2022 1 hour ago, midpack said: Before all this I was feeling fine, but I don't think I would have been around much longer without this accidental finding so I'm grateful for that Incredible story! I love how after all that drama you still found a way to put a positive spin on it! That kinda spirit and attitude almost guarantees you a successful recovery 5 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,244 #4 Posted November 16, 2022 1 hour ago, midpack said: In Critical ICU (at least a month) they were calling me the miracle man, everyone there knew my story. I am a firm believer that miracles do happen and you have confirmed it. In my opinion God brought you to a good doctor who had your best interest in mind and stayed with you through this incredible ordeal. Thank you lord for being with all of us in good times and bad. 5 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,739 #5 Posted November 17, 2022 Glad it worked out for you!!! 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyToro Jr. 1,428 #6 Posted November 17, 2022 It’s good that your still with us!! And hopefully soon you get to try the snowblower!!! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcrage 628 #7 Posted November 17, 2022 “In Critical ICU (at least a month) they were calling me the miracle man, everyone there knew my story.” According to the surgeon that replaced my ascending aorta the miracle was that you were in a heart hospital operating room when yours blew out. I remember him saying that positive outcomes from a ruptured aorta was less than 1% even for people in a hospital. Needless to say he convinced me to immediately have the surgery, 5 days after that meeting, and I had a cardiac cath done in the interim. Amazing how fast things can get done when the MDs decide it needs done now! I have had two valves replaced (25 years ago); my aorta replaced (6 years ago), and cardiac ablation done some time in the last 10 years and my cardiologist consistent message is to do more (exercise). There is light at the end of this kind of medical excursion. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,756 #8 Posted November 17, 2022 1 hour ago, 953 nut said: I am a firm believer that miracles do happen and you have confirmed it. In my opinion God brought you to a good doctor who had your best interest in mind and stayed with you through this incredible ordeal. Thank you lord for being with all of us in good times and bad. 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,070 #9 Posted November 26, 2022 Let us give thanks to the Lord ! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
