Name: Charles Gilman
Email: ccalving@netzero.com
Age at time of Dissection: 22
Type of Dissection: Ascending
Date of Aortic Dissection: 23 April 1998
Tell Us Your Story:
Happened in a car accident. I looked and appeared normal but my mid and lower back were in intense pain. The hospital said it was merely trauma and would go away in a few days. Then I passed out while waiting for my friend (who was driving). They did an x-ray and noticed the cloudy blood flooding my chest. They gave me BP meds, told my family I might die and to say their goodbye’s (without telling me, to keep me from getting excited).
Then I caught a flight to a major hospital in Portland, OR (about 200 miles north from where I was). The docs there told me what happened and that I’ll die if I don’t get the surgery and I might be paralyzed if I do. So, they did it and everything came out fine, except for the chest tube I had when the nurse forgot to put the plug in which gave me a sucking chest wound.
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It’s been 13 years since and I’ve been on BP meds the whole time but, I ride mountain bikes, run about six miles on most days and feel fine otherwise. I get CT scans done every five years to check for aneurysms. My abdominal aorta has gotten out of sync with my thoracic aorta when climbing above 10,000 feet but, after a few seconds of rest, it goes back to normal.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I had mine tear in a car accident also, mine was in ’99, I don’t know why I am adding a comment, just nice to know I am not the only one, they have told me to get the c.t.’s every five years also, but I am not on any blood pressure med’s, and sounds like you are in a lot better shape than me, keep living….
For all, This type of Dissection was actually quite common due to Car accidents, as the whole heart basicly Hangs from the ascending aorta and arch… before chest belts and air bags the “whip” effect would often tear the aorta by the weight of the heart,.. Your very lucky That they caught it as they did…