Friday and the day of my CT scan. It didn’t help that I had developed a stomach ache. Maybe nerves or fear? To be honest I am not actually afraid of the scan per se. It is just that it represents one step closer to the operation although it has to be decided still which type I am going to have.
I am still undecided. I can have the full open repair where I’m opened up and my aorta is repaired surgically. This means about 2 weeks in hospital and 3 months recovery. It has a higher risk of me (to be brutal) pegging out on the operating table. But it also means hopefully a complete permanent repair.
Or I can have EVAR (endovascular aneurysm repair). This is almost keyhole surgery. They insert a stent into my aorta by going in through the femoral arteryin my groin. Less chance of me pegging out. Less time in hospital and less recovery time. BUT … I will need constant annual check-ups plus there is more chance of later complications such as stent migration or infection amongst others.
STENTS
But all this may be irrelevant depending on the CT scan results. An EVAR is not suitable for all and it may be the full operation or nowt.
And the scan? Well that was easy. I did have tummy pains but we arrived on time for my 10:45 appointment. I was duly called in to the CT scan room. It was luckily an open scan (the pic I’ve put up is pretty much identical to my one.) I didn’t even need to strip off. Just no jewellery allowed. I could even keep my tee-shirt on.
Very much like the one I had.
They put an i.v into my arm after I laid on the rather comfy table. Then hands above my head and the scan started. Through once and told to hold my breath then through again as they injected (remotely) iodine into me. This was a strange although not unpleasant feeling. All of a sudden my neck, throat and shoulders felt really warm. Back through again as I held my breath and that was it. I had to wait outside for 10 minutes before they took the i.v. out, in case of reactions, Raven informed me. But that was it. Line out and off home.
Now an anxious wait for the next meeting with the Surgeon….eeeek!
ARGHHH!
