Name: Robert Haisman
Email: rhaisman@sympatico.ca
Age at time of Dissection: 43
Type of Dissection: Ascending
Date of Aortic Dissection: 15 September 2005
Tell Us Your Story: This web site is superb. Future victims of aortic dissection (and there will be future victims, guaranteed) need to know about diagnosis and treatment.
Iwas 43 in September 2005 and woke up to extreme pain in my chest. It actually felt like something “moved” inside. I assumed I was having a heart attack and called 911. The pain was so severe I thought I was about to die. My wife and kids were all out of the house and I was alone. I was worried they would come home and find me dead on the floor.
An ambulance arrived within minutes and paramedics rushed me to the hospital here in Sarnia, Ont. I was quickly examined by nurses, doctors, etc. Blood tests showed I had not had a heart attack, but the pain was crippling.
I was admitted for more examination. Over the next few days I went through all the usual tests one can imagine, with no diagnosis. I even passed a tread mill stress test!!
Thank God there was a veteran nurse looking after me who had a hunch that I may be experiencing an aortic dissection. I was given yet another ultra sound and within 30 minutes loaded into an ambulance and rushed to University Hospital in London, Ontario.
Upon arrival I was met by a cardiologist, surgeon, and nurse. I had a cable orally inserted into my stomach by the surgeon, and within 10 minutes he confirmed I was experiencing an ascending arotic dissection – a diagnosis missed by Sarnia doctors for 4 days, and thankfully figured out by a fantastic nurse. THIS IS NOT A DIFFICULT DIAGNOSIS! Simple equipment and thorough testing can reveal a dissection within one hour – let alone 4 days! As we know, mortality rates rise by the hour when this simple diagnosis is not made due to a lack of basic equipment or medical competency.
At University Hospital I was in surgery prompty, and seven hours later I had a St. Jude aortic heart valve and graft keeping me alive. I was back to work in 6 weeks. I am now almost 50 and feel great, thanks to a wonderful nurse (Val) and a talented surgeon in London.
Robert Haisman
Thanks for stopping by to view our stories. Please help me keep the site going by shopping at Amazon.com-It’s very much appreciated. Brian Tinsley founder of AorticDissection.com (please book mark the link once you get to Amazon.com for future purchases!)
If you liked this article, you may also like:
Please help me spread the word by supporting the site with a donation.
If you are looking to help support this great cause, or are a person 'wanting to make a difference' YOU can help. We CAN make a difference! I just need help! It's very much appreciated!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This is mind boggling how you could survive 4 days! By the Grace of GOD, you got a second chance at life and are one lucky man! It’s a travesty that they didn’t catch this sooner and it should really be reviewed so they learn a lesson on how to detect this sooner! I am so glad you mad it!
Keep the Faith!
Brian Tinsley
Founder
Mr. Tinsley,
I am a 40 year old female, my mother died of a misdiagnosed Debakey Aneurysm when she was 53. I am concerned my sisters or I may suffer the same thing as we get older. Would a CT scan show a defect in our aortas now or is it not able to be diagnosed until it begins to tear. Thank you for any advice you may be able to give.
Merry Christmas!
I also was misdiagnosed by not one but two Emergency Rooms in different states on July 11th and it wasn’t picked up until July 22nd. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you who have survived and to those that were lost.
Lance