Lynn's Profile

I am 71 years old and scheduled to have wheat and hemi-arch procedures at Duke University on August 31. I found out last fall that I have a 5cm aneurysm. My regular doctor told me it was nothing to worry about! But since my daughter lives near Duke, highly rated for heart by U.S. News, in N. Carolina, we decided ask aortic surgeon Dr. Hughes to look at the scan. He requested an echo and after receiving results including mention of moderate leaking aorta, he recommended surgery, originally we scheduled for this past Feb. He has recently stated his belief aneurysm is 5.3 cm. A local respected cardiologist here felt I did not need surgery yet. Dr. Hughes has only 1% deaths from his surgeries and is very confident, still recommends surgery as he said 10% risk of aortic rupture per year. But he called it "preventative". He thinks I would do well. I have some shortness of breath but he cannot promise me that will be better. I have read a lot incuding Cleveland and Yale and others' reserach about rupures happening below 5cm even, not just at or above 5.5. And I see Cleveland Clinic's aortuc aneurysm page indicating surgery is considered with smaller body size (I fall into that at 5'4") and other matters added besides aneurysm (e.g, the leaky aorta, which I have). There is also a spiritual component for me, a sense that the Lord wants to heal me in the presence of these surgeons. Danny Gokey's song, Tell Your Heart To Beat Again has been meaningful. I will be in N.C. at least 2 weeks after I left hospital before I could fly home. Though the opinion conflict is disturbing at times, I feel my mind is made up. I do not want to live with the risk when Dr. Hughe's outcomes are so good. I am also decently healthy now. Seeing people's struggles with complications is my only source of battering against confidence,