TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 - AORTIC DISSECTION DAY

 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 - AORTIC DISSECTION DAY

AORTIC DISSECTION AWARENESS DAY - September 19, 2023 - National Today

What in the world, Karen?  Aortic Dissection Awareness Day?  There are at least two more exciting days - Butterscotch Pudding Day (the ultimate pudding, according to me, is tapioca and butterscotch!!!) and Talk Like a Pirate Day (and I could talk about my adventures with Krispy Creme Donuts).

The blurb on the National Today page says:

“Aortic Dissection Awareness Day is observed on September 19 every year. The day's objective is to raise awareness about aortic dissection, a relatively unknown but life-threatening disorder. Several organizations across the globe offer patients, their families, medical professionals, and the general public a range of resources to help them understand the condition better. Aortic dissection is when the inner layer of the body’s main artery (aorta) tears. Blood flowing through the aorta rushes out through the tear, which causes the inner and middle layers of the artery to split. If the individual’s blood seeps through the outermost layer of the aorta, the dissection is usually deadly.

“The symptoms of aortic dissection are similar to those of several other heart conditions, often leading to a delay in diagnosing the problem. When the aortic dissection is spotted and subsequently treated in time, the patient’s chance of survival increases manyfold. The symptoms of aortic dissection include sudden and severe pain in the chest or upper back, sudden and severe stomach pain, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, leg pain, weak pulse in one arm or thigh, and trouble walking. A weakened aortic wall causes the condition.

“They are split into two groups, depending on which area is affected. Type A aortic dissection is more common and dangerous than type B, as it involves a tear in the part of the aorta that exits the heart.

*****

I had both.  And, as the article says, type A is more dangerous.

I allowed little things to get to me.  I had been substitute teaching and had a bump in the road.  A student said I had touched her.  To be honest, I don’t remember because I touch almost everybody.  If it was what I thought, I was teaching an algebra class, giving students time to work on a difficult assignment, and walking around the room helping students.  But, a group of young ladies were busy talking, and I think I probably tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention, so she (and the others) returned to the assignment.  

I envisioned the student telling her mother - “my substitute algebra teacher touched me today.” (not including the touching had on the shoulder).  The mother might share it with other parents: “My daughter’s substitute algebra teacher touched my daughter the other day.”   I view there are appropriate and inappropriate touching - and I don’t do the inappropriate type.

A second problem was that I had been helping in my church’s Sunday worship ministry.  After the Mass, the priest yelled at me for doing something wrong.  It wasn’t a gentle teaching/learning lesson but a loud rebuttal in front of others. I was trying, and where a mild remark might have helped, the full force of a tirade hurt deeply. 

The third problem was I had written my first novel - “Redemption.”  I had asked my wife to read my book; three months later, she hadn’t.  She had read several other e-books; why didn’t she read my book?

And the fourth issue was that my brain was FEMALE (and my ugly body was not).  

*****

As described above, I had sudden and severe upper back and face/jaw pain. I was faint when I stood up.  

I went to an emergency room at about 11:30 on a Friday night - and was largely dismissed. I was told I was dehydrated and my blood pressure was a little elevated - get enough water - and sent home. 

By Saturday night, when I stood, I had to have my hand on a chair to stabilize myself. I couldn’t stand up quickly, or I would black out.

On Monday, I went to my dentist - thinking maybe I had an abscessed tooth.  Nope.  I went to my chiropractor - who took my blood pressure and said it was high.

Later on Monday afternoon, I used my at-home blood pressure device, which was 200 over 150.  YIKES. 

But it was a cheap blood pressure device; maybe it was wrong.  I went to a pharmacy and asked the pharmacist to check my blood pressure.  It was 213 over 161, with a pulse of 165.  DOUBLE YIKES.

I returned to the emergency room, where they detected the high pressure.  It was described as “running a fire hose through your aorta.” 

The next changed my life!!!  I got an ambulance ride to a hospital emergency room.  The diagnosis was extreme high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. I stayed at the hospital for the next few days while they lowered my blood pressure and checked my heart.  Seemingly, my heart was okay.  It wasn’t a heart attack.  (My only regret is that they didn’t use the siren on my trip to the hospital)

They had a cardiologist check me - and he wanted a CT scan.  On that scan, the cardiologist found the pressure was making holes in the aorta's inner layer.  I was referred to a pulmonologist - who quickly remarked, “You are lucky to be alive.” 

My upper aorta - which feeds blood and nutrients to the brain, lungs, and arms - had numerous tears and false channels - and one slight hole in the outer aorta - and I would be gone.  

I was sedated for a month while the pulmonologist measured my aorta, ordered an artificial replacement, and assembled a team.  On July 5th, 2017, I underwent a six-hour surgery.  My heart was stopped, and I was kept alive on an artificial heart machine.  Seemingly, I was also “on ice” to get my body temperature low enough that I was in a coma. 

I recovered in the ICU (intensive care unit).  I was encouraged to walk.  

A year-and-one-half before, God had smacked me with a two-by-four (only figuratively) - about being judgmental, having too much ego, and my gender.  My brain and heart were working together on a miracle change.

The depression that followed the surgery led me to my “happy place” - thinking about becoming a woman.  

*****

I am still on various heart, aorta, and blood pressure medications.  My blood pressure is normal. And my happy thinking brought me to where I am today - a woman.  I exercise regularly.  I try to eat nutritious things (with maybe a little fun foods on the side - like ice cream and peanut butter)

I learned and am still learning that LOVE WINS.  “I can only love God as much as the person I love the least.”