Category: Hospital

Pre-Operative Appointment

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Because my original coiling was an emergency situation due to my brain aneurysm rupturing, I didn’t get to “experience” Maine Medical Center’s Pre-operative department. They may not have been that extensive back in 2006 either. But, I have to say it’s a terrific group. I didn’t really know what to expect.

I knew they were taking blood, but beyond that, I didn’t know if my Doc had ordered other tests or procedures to be run. They did draw some blood and took my vitals, the nurses gave me instructions and directions, and we had an extensive anesthesia interview. I met with four different ladies during the visit which lasted almost two hours.

Pat Richards, one of the Dr’s/nurse, even went above and beyond the call of duty and tried to get to the bottom of a lingering medication issue I haven’t been able to get straight answers on. She realized it was stressing me out and took it upon herself to find the answers for me. I really, really appreciated her doing that. She didn’t have to, but I knew she’d have the proper authority and medical explanation and terminology that I didn’t.

They were all very well-informed and presented us with several more brochures on what to expect, where to go and what to do before, during and after any surgery. In 2006, we weren’t given any such information before, during or after, so I think they’ve come a long way in educating the patients and their caregivers. There still was no info on aneurysms though, so we’re hoping down the road, we can help change that.

Even though it meant a separate trip down to Portland for us (an hour or so away), Dave and I both felt going through all of this on a day different from the surgery day was very nice. I didn’t have to deal with answering a ton of questions, giving blood and signing forms an hour before the surgery. I’ll get there, meet with the anesthesiologist and the Dr. and I’m on my way. I’ll be drugged…Dave will have the tough part of waiting.

I was very pleased with the level of care by Maine Med when I was there for 20 days back in 2006 and I continue to be impressed with their improvement and care for their patients.  Let’s hope I feel the same way on March 17th!

Angiogram and Results

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I had my four-year aneurysm check-up angiogram yesterday. Had to be at Maine Medical Center at 9:15, so we left the house around 7:45. I couldn’t eat or drink anything so, of course, today I woke up with a horribly dry and sore throat. Figures. Despite an earlier weather report of snow showers, it was just cold and sunny, so we had good traveling weather.

Dave and I arrived at Maine Med right on time and were quickly whisked into the radiology patient recovery area where I was promptly told to strip out of everything and put on the lovely johnny gown. Oh, they’re so attractive. The wonderfully funny nurse, John, arranged to get me a water swab so I could at least wet my dry throat.

I was hooked up to an IV and blood pressure and oxygen monitor then taken into the operating room. As I was wheeled in, I heard some amazing music being played. They had on the Rat Pack station from Pandora Radio. LOVED it! It was around 10:00 when I started to be prepped for the procedure to sounds of Tony Bennet and Frank Sinatra belting out standards.

I was moved onto the narrow table surrounded on one side by large monitors. Arm guards were positioned to keep my arms on the table and out of the way and I was hooked up to multiple sensors as well as a strap place over my forehead to keep me from moving my head. My groin was shaved and I was introduced to at least four or five different radiologist, including Bernie, who was my “bartender” with the meds. I didn’t go with any med prior to being wheeled in and I REALLY regretted that when the Dr. began inserting the catheter. The worst pain I’ve had at the beginning of an angio. Next time, I ask for meds, and more meds….and some meds too. OUCH!

I’m not sure how long the actual procedure took. I DID get some meds when I was experiencing the pain, so I was a tad groggy. Had to take deep breaths and hold them on many occasions for pictures to be taken. So I was awake for the whole thing. One injection of dye was almost painful in my head and part of my tongue felt a little numb, but it didn’t last long.

Once the procedure was done, I was unhooked from all of the sensors and one of the radiologist had to hold strong pressure on my incision area on my groin. We chatted about Buffalo weather and the Bills. It helped pass the time of having a stranger hold your groin! LOL

At around 11:00, I was wheeled back into the recovery area. Dave wasn’t there, but one of the nurses said that Dr. Ecker  had spoken to Dave “at length”. Uh, oh…that didn’t sound promising! And I thought when Dave came around the corner, he looked pale.

Dr. Ecker came in shortly after Dave and informed me there did appear to be problems with the coiling in the aneurysm so something would have to be done, but that he’d discuss that with us at the follow-up appointment on Monday. Then he divulged a 2nd, smaller aneurysm was discovered above the initial aneurysm. This one was about 3 mm (1/8″). My original one was 11 mm (1/2″). This was shocking. If I had one in 2006 for my last angiogram, wouldn’t they have said something about it? If it wasn’t there, then it’s not a good sign that one has developed in such a relatively short span of 2 years. The Dr. had told Dave that this smaller annie had a wide neck too and it might not be a good candidate for coiling.

So, not only do I not know what’s going to happen to the original annie (Or Big Annie), but I don’t know what’s going to happen, if anything, with this new little discovery (I’ll call her Little Annie)

I know Dr. Ecker had mentioned possibly adding more coils to Big Annie, which isn’t that highly unusual, and it’s far less dangerous because it’s not a rupture, but he had also mentioned clipping, which means a craniotomy and that’s a far more invasion process that involves removing part of the skull and having open brain surgery. But that’s with the original annie. Now this 2nd one comes into play. Goody.

I have been introduced and read storiesabout many people who have multiple aneurysms and my own cousin is living with two un-ruptured aneurysms that they’re simply monitoring, which might be the case for me with Little Annie. So, it’s not that highly unusual for people to have multiple aneurysms and the positive take on this is that I KNOW it’s there and we can do something (hopefully) before it ruptures unlike last time.

My fear is not the surgery at this point…it’s the outcome and having complications during the procedure that would require a longer recovery period or prevent me from doing my job or driving. I was VERY lucky with my previous rupture that I was not dealt with life-altering deficits – which could have easily happened and could still happen. I have a lot of faith and trust in Dr. Ecker and excellent staff at Maine Med. They were fantastic to me in 2006 and I know they’ll take good care of me
this time…for whatever I’m going to be dealt with. I’m still very, VERY thankful that Dr. Ecker is here in Maine and we don’t have to travel to Boston.

I wish Dave didn’t have to go through more crap with aneurysms. He has been such an angel and powerhouse during all of this. I’m sorry he has to “suffer” as well.

MRA Results and New Doctor

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Today I met the new aneurysm doctor here in Maine, Dr. Ecker, and got the results back on the MRA of my annie.

Dr. Ecker is a real straight shooter and got straight to the point: The MRA showed a slight recanalization of the coiling in the aneurysm. That was a term Dave and I had
never heard, so Dr. Ecker took us to his office, showed us the MRA results and drew us a diagram on what was showing up on the MRA and what his concern was.

I’ll try to explain it without drawing it! Basically, either the aneurysm has slightly grown, or the coils have contracted and it has allowed some blood to flow into the aneurysm through the neck of the aneurysm. His words were that I had a “recanalization of the neck”. Of course, I was initially shaken. My fear has always been they’d discover another annie, not having an issue with my existing one, so this was a
surprise to say the least.

He wants me to have an angiogram now.mDr. Ecker said it wasn’t an emergency situation, so we’re waiting until January, after the holidays for that. He does the angiograms, he also does coiling and clipping operations. I’m thrilled he’s here in the state of Maine. He also appears to have experience with the by-pass surgery I’ve just recently read about.

Right now, there is no course of action until after he see the arteries and coiling on the angiogram. Right now, all of the things he mentioned were “if this….”, or “if that….”, so we need to see the results of the angriogram. Dave has done a lot of research online since we got home and is discovering it’s not that highly UNcommon for this to happen. Usually the recanalization occurs within the first two years after the coiling, so this is kind of unusual, but I feel confident Dr. Ecker will give us the best course of action. He’d either have to go in and insert more coils, which I’ve read several people have had to do on the message board, there’s a possibility I could have to have it clipped, which is a more serious operation, or he’d insert a stent inserted to block off the flow off blood there. Again…he can’t tell for certain what needs to be done until we do the angiogram.

He studied in Buffalo, was in the service as a medical surgeon in Japan, and after listening to an emergency call he took in his office while we were there, someone I would want fighting for me on the operating table. The risk factor for recoiling isn’t as extensive as my first coiling because it wouldn’t be because of a ruptured aneurysm and I’d be home from the hospital on the same day. The same risk factor would hold true
for the clipping, although it’s far more invasive and would probably require a long hospital stay.

I’m doing okay. Still processing this information. But I’ve always known I could be at risk, so we’ll just deal with what God deals me, when he deals it. I’m feeling good now, the Dr. didn’t feel it needed immediate attention, so we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, right?

4-Year Annie Checkup

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I had my 4 year MRA checkup on Monday. This time, due to insurance selection, it was at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick. I can say they were very efficient, but not so concerned about patient comfort.

I DID get to listen to some 70’s tunes during the xray, so that was nice, but other than, I can’t say they were overly concerned with if I was cold, comfortable, or having any issues. I was cold, uncomfortable and surprised they didn’t have me remove my bra, seeing how it was an underwire and Maine Med always makes me remove it.

Anyway…I won’t get the results back until possibly Dec. 2nd or 3rd when I meet with Dr. Eckert for the first time. Hopefully, everything checks out.