A String of Firsts

It started out as a routine visit to the family doctor for my annual Medicare physical. It was the start of a number of “firsts” for me.

After the usual routine of checking my vitals, the doctor suggested I have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) scan. He suggested the scan because I am 75 and never have had one, which is highly recommended for my age.

The first step was an ultrasound test, the first of those I had ever had. 

When he received the test result, he said it was a possible problem and referred me to a cardiovascular surgeon for further testing. That involved a CT scan, which is more accurate. Never having had that kind of scan either, it was another first. The scan only took about 15 minutes, which surprised me and my wife. She had planned on a much longer session and came equipped with a book and snacks. 

The result of that scan was not good. It showed a large swelling in my aortic vessel in the center of the torso. If the aorta erupts, it can lead to immediate death. A dangerous level for the swelling is 5.5 millimeters. My scan showed the swelling was 5.3 millimeters.

The surgeon outlined the options, noting that it would have to be repaired at some point and we could wait to see if it increased any further.

My wife and I readily agreed to have it repaired immediately.

The repair involves inserting a stent into the aorta. The stent is inserted by going through the large veins in the groin and placing the stent in the area of the aneurism. The doctor explained the surgery was fairly routine and was much better than the former system of cutting into the chest to place it. My option involved a one-night stay in the hospital. I had never spent a night in a hospital before, so that was a first.

It took two weeks to have the stent prepared. In the meantime, the doctor asked me to watch my diet and not do any strenuous activity. I felt like I was walking around with a time bomb in my chest during the wait.

Two days before the scheduled surgery, I had to have a COVID-19 test to make sure I was not infected. That involved a nasal swab, another first. It was not as bad as I had heard and only took a few minutes while I was sitting in my car. 

We arrived early on the day of surgery and they took me into a preparation room where two needles were stuck in my arm. Then came the big surprise. A nurse shaved me from my chest to my thighs. That was definitely a first. The drastic move was in case the stent insertion didn’t go right, they would have to enter through my chest.

The hour-and-a-half procedure went well and I was taken to a recovery room where I had to lie flat for six hours. 

Because I had to fast before the surgery the night before, I was a little hungry. However, the hospital food service ended an hour before I was even allowed to sit upright. It’s hard to eat while lying flat on your back. 

I also discovered, while lying prone, I now had a catheter, another first. The nurse said it could be removed at 2:30 in the morning, it was now 7 p.m. I asked why then and she said it would be removed when she did one of her hourly checks on me. Fortunately, I was able to pass urine, which was a good sign and I convinced her to have it removed at 11:30 p.m. 

I went home early the next morning and then spent most of the next two weeks doing little more than reading and sleeping. The surgeon had warned me that many patients suffered from fatigue for several weeks or months after the surgery. 

A month after the surgery, I had another CT scan to make sure everything was in place. The surgeon said everything looked fine and I could resume normal activity in another two weeks.

I had taken time off from my part-time job and slowly worked myself back into walking and have even started playing golf again. 

I’m still careful to not overdo anything at work or at home, and life is returning to normal otherwise.

I’m just thankful my family doctor suggested the AAA scan. It may have saved my life. If you’re in the 65-75 age range and haven’t had the scan, I’d strongly suggest you ask your doctor about it.

– Ryan from St. George, Utah, a FAR customer who is finding purpose in this new stage of his life.

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the Finance of America Reverse (LLC).

This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only, and should not be construed as financial or tax advice. For more information about whether a reverse mortgage may be right for you, you should consult an independent financial advisor. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.