Name: Carmen Mosley Barbolla
Age at time of Dissection: 45
Type of Dissection: Descending
Date of Aortic Dissection: 9 February 2012
Tell Us Your Story:
Hi everyone. My name is Carmen and I am the wife of an aortic dissection patient. As I write this, at 2:52am, I am sitting in the waiting room at the Heart Hospital in Albuquerque, NM as my husband, Andrew, is in the operating room having an aortic dissection repair. He’s 45 (I’m 27), in spectacular health, an avid surfer and snowboarder and one of the most vibrant people I know. The journey to his aortic dissection diagnosis was only 24 hours.
Yesterday afternoon, in the middle of nowhere and while we were out running errands, he suddenly didn’t feel well and was hit was dull chest pain, incredible back pain and discomfort, and dizziness. Initially we thought he blood sugar was low so we gave him some food, and he started to feel a little bit. As the night progressed, he got better but was still feeling off. We decided that it would be best that he call his doctor the next morning (today) just to be cautious. Based on his symptoms we were thinking heart attack, angina, etc.
His doctor sent him straight to the ER where after a CT Scan of his chest they spotted the dissection. Immediately they began preparations for him to have the dissection repair surgery. It has been such a whirlwind of events and emotions. While I know he is in good hands here at the Heart Hospital with a team of doctors who have done more surgeries of this type than anyone else in the state, I know it is such a risky surgery.
As a newlyweds (we’ve only been married 1 1/2 years), I look forward to years and years together with him, starting a family and living happily ever after. All of a sudden, that life was in jeopardy. As transplants from San Diego, CA to Albuquerque, NM, I sit in this waiting room alone, no family to soothe and comfort me. It is with great relief that I find this support group and sharing our story and putting my thoughts into this virtual world is incredibly comforting and therapeutic. To the strangers out there that are living with and surviving from aortic dissection, all the best for a long and fulfilling life.
P.S. 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 Shop Amazon’s Gift Cards – Perfect Anytime
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi all.
It’s been avery long time since I have posted to this sight although I do check in regularly. I was looking forward to posting on my 9th rebirthday
from my origional Ascending Aortic dissection (3/15/2003). Unfortunately I have been given some devistating news. I have four Aneurysms. A chronic Descending Aortic the dissection extends from mid descending thoracic aorta,to the aortic bifurcation. The descending thoracic aorta is dilated to 5.0cm. Enlarging pseudoaneurysms in the ascending aorta. One in the inferior ascending aorta just superior to the aortic valve leaflets and one in the superior ascending aorta at the level of the aortic arch. Etc, Etc. I am scared to death! I have had an ablation and have an ICD and recently a Cardioversion and am now also on Ameoderone for AFIB. They might also attempt a Maze procedure to take care of the latter at the same time. I now have stage 3 CKD as well as severe COPD. I just turned 56 in December. I will be traveling ASAP from my home in the Durango ,CO to Herman Memorial Hospital in Houston to Dr Hazim Safi’s group. I am just now getting this all together. The first time I posted in 04′ I was looking forward to seeing my boys graduate from HS. Now I want to see them graduate from College next year. My sons are the reason I continue to fight. I can hardly believe I have decided to go ahead with another risky open heart as I do remember how awful the first one was. I will post again ,if I get the chance when I am strong enough after the surgery. Please think positive thoughts for me!
Regina
(my origional story is early on in the 40′s section. I was 47 when I first dissected. My best to all of you and may you stay well for many years.
Hi Carmen and Andrew
Glad you found the site and hope you are gaining insight and support.
By now hopefully you are both through the worst of things and Andrew
is resting comfortably in ICU or better. Hopefully you have found support from friends, family or us strangers. I suffered my dissection in June 2009 and had emergency endovascular surgery to repair. While life has changed in the 2-3 yrs since, mostly side effects of meds and some max limitations on lifting, life continues. I am thankful every day for the specialists you literally saved my life, and for finding this site and realizing I am not alone in my recovery. If Andrew progresses as well as I and others have, you should continue to look forward to many years together, starting a family and living happily ever after. In the 2 yrs since I have turned 50,seen both my daughters graduate from college, celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary and walked my daughter down the aisle on her wedding day.
So yes Carmen continue to look forward.
Brian,
Thanks for posting my update, although It is not a comment on Carmen Mosley. I am sure I posted it in the wrong spot. I guess it would make more sense under patient stories or the blog. I am definitely a “Technotard”
when it comes to the technical side of using these sights, but am trying. Thanks for the good work and all you do. Stay well. With a lot of luck I will be posting again after my surgery.
Regina Kurn