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as told by Edwin Christie
 read an article in the paper about a free screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms with the attention-grabbing headline, “Aneurysm screening can save lives.” It also caught my attention because my father had an abdominal aortic aneurysm in his 80s.
 I was surprised to learn that as a man over the age of 60, with my family history and the fact that I’ve been a smoker for 50 years, I was five to six times more likely to develop an aneurysm. That was enough to convince me to call for an appointment.
As I left the house to go to the screening, I jokingly said to my wife, Barbara, “I’ll call you from the ER.” While I had no symptoms to suggest I had a problem, I still had a nagging suspicion they might find an aneurysm…after all, I had all these risk factors.
I first suspected something might be wrong when the young man doing the screening called over a more experienced person to verify the results. They were concerned enough at what they found to suggest I go straight to the emergency room. They were very convincing. I called my wife and told her I’d meet her at Gundersen Lutheran…this time it wasn’t a joke.
Tests confirmed I had an enlargement in my abdominal aorta, the main artery that runs from the heart to the lower abdomen. The aneurysm was about the size of a lemon. Tests also showed I had a tear of the inner lining which is the first stage before an aneurysm bursts. Once an aneurysm ruptures, it usually means death.
Soon after the diagnosis, I had surgery to repair the aneurysm. Although it was my first time in the hospital, I wasn’t scared. As a retired dentist I’ve learned to remain calm. I also knew I was in great hands. The surgery went very well and I got out of the hospital nine days later…just in time to celebrate my 45th wedding anniversary.
I credit Gundersen Lutheran and the screening for saving my life. And to celebrate my new lease on life, I quit smoking after 50 years! I feel good that I did the screening. I certainly was fortunate. |