I was asked by a doctor if I wanted to be resuscitated if things went bad.
It all started with my annual COPD review, that in itself I find a horrible test.
Half way through the test I took ill, I remember the nurse saying something about a doctor, then four of them were in the room, Next thing was an Ambulance was taking me to Chesterfield Hospital. I had pains throughout my stomach and adnominal area.
In the A&E I was scanned and it was found that my aorta was enlarged. Chesterfield then arranged an emergency ambulance to get me to Derby Royal as they are geared up to deal with treatment, the reason they wanted a "Blue" trip was they suspected my aorta could be leaking, the ambulance had it's sirens and blue lights flashing for the full trip.
Once I arrived a full scan was set up for me and a doctor came and had a chat, he explained if the aorta has become mishappen there are some surgical procedures they can do, when it is misshapen key hole surgery is ruled out and they need to do a full open surgery and dependant on how bad it is he needed to know if I gave my permission for resuscitation and that the odds were around the 50/50 mark.
The good news is that I am now at home, there was no leak and the aorta is only at the "To be closely monitored" stage, That involves scans every 3 - 6 months and if the swelling goes down over the months that will change to yearly check.
If you are in the UK you can get a free check on your aorta from the age of 65, It's a no brainer get it done as the grave yards are full of good folk who have not bothered, waiting for the symptoms give you a 50/50 chance at the most. Hearing a doctor asking you about resuscitation hits home like a ton of bricks.
It all started with my annual COPD review, that in itself I find a horrible test.
Half way through the test I took ill, I remember the nurse saying something about a doctor, then four of them were in the room, Next thing was an Ambulance was taking me to Chesterfield Hospital. I had pains throughout my stomach and adnominal area.
In the A&E I was scanned and it was found that my aorta was enlarged. Chesterfield then arranged an emergency ambulance to get me to Derby Royal as they are geared up to deal with treatment, the reason they wanted a "Blue" trip was they suspected my aorta could be leaking, the ambulance had it's sirens and blue lights flashing for the full trip.
Once I arrived a full scan was set up for me and a doctor came and had a chat, he explained if the aorta has become mishappen there are some surgical procedures they can do, when it is misshapen key hole surgery is ruled out and they need to do a full open surgery and dependant on how bad it is he needed to know if I gave my permission for resuscitation and that the odds were around the 50/50 mark.
The good news is that I am now at home, there was no leak and the aorta is only at the "To be closely monitored" stage, That involves scans every 3 - 6 months and if the swelling goes down over the months that will change to yearly check.
If you are in the UK you can get a free check on your aorta from the age of 65, It's a no brainer get it done as the grave yards are full of good folk who have not bothered, waiting for the symptoms give you a 50/50 chance at the most. Hearing a doctor asking you about resuscitation hits home like a ton of bricks.
