I almost died last week....

[gzhpcu]

It started out so innocously end of November, I suddenly came down with a very high fever on a Friday night. Since this is influenza season, I thought to myself, heck I am coming down with the flu.

Over the weekend, the fever abated somewhat, but strange is that other than chills, I had none of the other symptoms associated with a flu.

I went to my doctor, and he conducted several tests, and found traces of blood in my urine and my blood values good, but signs of an inflammation. He suspected maybe my lungs were affected, and sent me to a small nearby hospital for an ultrasound test of my lower organs. My wife accompanied me. They found nothing, my doctor and wife were relieved, but inwardly, I wasn't. I wanted to know the cause. My doctor said it was probably an infection of the prostata and gave me some anibiotics.

In the meantime, I was losing my appetite and began feeling pains in my lower back and lower stomach. After three days, I went to my doctor again, and he saw it was getting worse, so he set it up for me to go the hospital. Told my wife not to worry, the hospital will find out what the cause is.

The following morning, I checked into the hospital, and they conducted all sorts of test all day, and still found nothing. The pain in my lower abodomen began to get worse.

Next morning, they did an MRI test on me. Early afternoon, as my wife was with me, the doctors rushed in, and told me they found our a bacteria had attacked my lower orta, it had doubled in size and I was rushed down to operaton room. I was worried for my wife because this happened so suddenly, it must have been awfully tough on her. Before I even realized what happened, I was put under sedation. I was operated around 5 in the afternoon.

I regained consciousness 5 o'clock next morning, and found myself in an intensive care station. Soon the surgeon arrived and told me the operation was a complete success, and done not a moment too soon, since my aorta exploded during the operation. He told me, that if I had come one day later, I would probably be dead. I could barely move due to the post-operative pain.

I was told I would have to stay two weeks in the hospital, and should be home by Christmas. Luckily, I am very healthy (never saw a hospital in life), and do lots of sports, so that I was out of bed after two days, began walking after three days. My recovery was so rapid that I could go home after 9 days. I feel great.

I was always positive and confident, never once worried (other than for my wife - we love each other tremendously). Now I will have to undergo a long antibiotics cure.

The doctors said the bacteria which attacked my aorta, is the bactera which normally attacks the lungs and causes pneumonia. Strange.

Thinking in retrospect, the odds were against me. Thanks to my doctor who reacted quickly and sent me to the hospital, and the competent hospital personnel and surgeon, I beat the odds. :)

[Moose]

Wow. Just... wow. Glad you're doing okay now, gzhpcu.

It's amazing just how much mischief something microscopic can cause.

[Buttercup]

Soon the surgeon arrived and told me the operation was a complete success, and done not a moment too soon, since my aorta exploded during the operation. He told me, that if I had come one day later, I would probably be dead.

Wow, what an ordeal! :( I've never heard of such a thing. I'm glad you've recuperated so quickly; my best to you and your wife. :)

[KaiYeves]

I'm glad you're okay now and your doctor is so smart.

[mike alexander]

Continued good luck, fella.

[mahesh]

Holy Moses...close call...!

i had visions of tha Andromeda's Strain there...briefly..phew.

how awfully despairing for your wife and family. glad that you are on the right side gzhpcu.

Take good care and warmest wishes to you and family for Christmas!

[Torsten]

Holy smokes. . . .

Speedy recovery to you.

[gzhpcu]

Thanks all. The reason I am posting this thread, is to make people aware of this potential danger, since it does not seem to be widely known.

[matthewota]

It makes us all contemplate our own mortality, and encourages us to all live our lives day by day to the fullest.

[gzhpcu]

It makes us all contemplate our own mortality, and encourages us to all live our lives day by day to the fullest.
You can say that again. I have never seen a hospital in my life. I feel reborn.


BTW, I found this link describing what I was suddenly struck with out of the blue (despite being very strong and healthy):

http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-preview.axd?code=jhlud567ema31xlg&size=largest

[Fazor]

Hmm ... tests that showed nothing followed by a last-second detection and almost-too-late life saving surgery? Are you postive you didn't wander onto the set of House? :)

But seriously, I'm glad they were able to patch you up.

[bunker9603]

It is good that you went to your doctor. A lot of people ignore thier symptons and put off seeking medical attention until it is to late. It is a good thing that you recognized this to be more than "just" the flu.

I am glad that you had a speedy recovery and Happy Holidays to you and your wife.

[hhEb09'1]

BTW, I found this link describing what I was suddenly struck with out of the blue (despite being very strong and healthy):

http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-preview.axd?code=jhlud567ema31xlg&size=largestMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium, "surgery was emergently performed" after twenty-four days of symptoms. Wow.

Great to hear of your recovery!

[LotusExcelle]

Wow. Just wow. Very glad you pulled through.

[chrissy]

gzhpcu I am glad your ok, maybe you will go down in their medical journals for future references of your case.

[slang]

I was always positive and confident, never once worried (other than for my wife - we love each other tremendously).

I admire and recognize that attitude. Glad you'll be with us a bit longer :)

[mugaliens]

Wow! Lot's of wows, here.

I'm glad you're here! Kudos on you for staying healthy, which I'm sure both helped you to survive the ordeal, as well as recover so well.

I'm hitting the gym tomorrow, even though it's a Sunday...

[gzhpcu]

I'm hitting the gym tomorrow, even though it's a Sunday...

I envy you... Am a fanatical tennis player, have hardly missed a day in ages. Yeah, as you say, leading a healthy life and doing sports regularly is an investment in guaranteeing a rapid recovery.

Doctors say it will be 3 - 6 months before I can go back to active sports. Of course, I hope to surprise them and be able to start playing sooner. :) However, I will bite the bullet and only do so when I get their approval.

[01101001]

Hooray science!

[gzhpcu]

What I had was an "aortitis" and apparently the mortality rate is around 50% Guess I can thank my lucky stars, huh? :)

[Ara Pacis]

"lucky stars"? Time to move this to ATM.

just kidding.

Glad you made it. Now, you should write the story up as a Christmas Miracle and sell the movie rights. :-)

[jt-3d]

I'm glad things worked out okay for you, gzhpcu.

[jaksichj]

Hope your Holidays bring quick and steady healing and strength

[mugaliens]

What I had was an "aortitis" and apparently the mortality rate is around 50% Guess I can thank my lucky stars, huh? :)

So what was the extent? From what you described, the infection weakened the wall, which lead to a rupture. Obviously, the repaired the rupture and are treating the infection, so I assume that over time, things will eventually heal.

Did they use any supportive structure, like a load-bearing mesh of some sort, when they repaired your aorta?

[gzhpcu]

So what was the extent? From what you described, the infection weakened the wall, which lead to a rupture. Obviously, the repaired the rupture and are treating the infection, so I assume that over time, things will eventually heal.

Did they use any supportive structure, like a load-bearing mesh of some sort, when they repaired your aorta?

They put in an artificial piece of aorta.

[Swift]

gzhpcu, I'm glad you are on the mend.

[mugaliens]

Nice. Will your own tissue grow into/around it?

[gzhpcu]

Nice. Will your own tissue grow into/around it?
Don't know, I wasn't told.

[Euniculus]

Glad you're on the mend!

I'm convinced those pesky microbes are what's eventually going to wipe out all us humans. :D

[Cougar]

Relieved and glad to hear of your happy ending. That Enterococcus faecium is a very nasty bug.

A friend of mine had an aortic aneurysm, and for his procedure they induced a coma and reduced his body temperature considerably. Fixed it. It's amazing the difference between medical knowledge today and, say, 300 years ago.

[Whirlpool]

Where do this bacteria came from ? And how do we get it?

[gzhpcu]

Where do this bacteria came from ? And how do we get it?
I asked my doctors and they don't know...

[gzhpcu]

Just read that in the USA/Europe there are about 1-3 cases per million inhabitants yearly. No wonder when it strikes often the doctors are baffled.

[Neverfly]

As I understand it, such infections occur when a bacterial infection manages to make it into the bloodstream. They are attacked by the bodies immune system, of course, but when the surviving bacteria find a hospitable spot to survive in, they multiply and thus, infection occurs.

This is why dentists are so adamant about making patients take antibiotics for abscessed teeth.
If the bacteria make it into the blood stream, they can make it to the brain and cause death.

[Neverfly]

After the first near death experience, one tends to Live life fuller, appreciate it more.
As the song, "Live like you were dyin'..."
But after several near death experiences (in fact, I've been dead itself more than once...) the novelty wears off and one goes back to eating fatty foods and complaining about taxes and juveniles.



Just a few more near misses, gzhpcu and we will have the good old you back again.


Smiling is for chimpanzees and game show hosts.

[gzhpcu]

After the first near death experience, one tends to Live life fuller, appreciate it more.
As the song, "Live like you were dyin'..."
But after several near death experiences (in fact, I've been dead itself more than once...) the novelty wears off and one goes back to eating fatty foods and complaining about taxes and juveniles.



Just a few more near misses, gzhpcu and we will have the good old you back again.


Smiling is for chimpanzees and game show hosts.

I have made a rapid recovery, and feel full of pep and drive. I feel like a racing car whose gas pedal is floored, but the brakes are on (my wound and the antibiotics deal in my arm).

Guess I am a monkey, cuz I love smiling. Really makes me feel good. :)

[Neverfly]

I have made a rapid recovery, and feel full of pep and drive. I feel like a racing car whose gas pedal is floored, but the brakes are on (my wound and the antibiotics deal in my arm).

Guess I am a monkey, cuz I love smiling. Really makes me feel good. :)

If you start flingin' poo, I'll show you what a leopard smile looks like.

[gzhpcu]

If you start flingin' poo, I'll show you what a leopard smile looks like.
I know what it looks like, just look at my avatar....:)

[gzhpcu]

My rapid recovery is continuing. Am just happy to be able to see 2009! Happy New Year to everyone!

[Swift]

And to you gzhpcu. Good luck on your continuing recovery

[BigDon]

Wow. I don't know what to say gzh. It doesn't get closer than that!

[mahesh]

A very Happy New Year to you gzhpcu, and your family!

Sunshine and Joy!

[BigDon]

Whirlpool, I believe you can be immunized against it. I had the shot myself. Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine. Good for some 29 strains. The vaccine keeps coughs and ear aches down too.

With an aortal or a heart valve infection the blood flows by too fast for the white blood cells to do their job. Hence the reason those infections are so deadly.

[Donnie B.]

gzhpcu, I'm just glad the mods didn't have to put you in the sticky along with Mak.

May your Aorta 2.0 run indefinitely without crashing.

[Argos]

I´m glad you´re well now. My best wishes. :)

[Maha Vailo]

Eek, that was scary. Kinda puts my dad's heart surgery in perspective.

I'd love to know what I could do to keep myself from getting the same thing. Does it tend to strike a certain class of people?

- Maha "a heart full of concern" Vailo

[gzhpcu]

I'd love to know what I could do to keep myself from getting the same thing. Does it tend to strike a certain class of people?


No, it doesn't. As a bacterial infection, apparently anyone can get it. But very rare.

Twenty-one patients with bacterial aortitis were treated in four institutions over a 10-year period. Clues to the diagnosis were a pulsatile mass; fever; positive blood culture; CT scan revealing aortic nodularity, an aneurysm of irregular configuration, or air in the aortic wall; and angiography revealing a lobulated aneurysm. The most commonly identified organisms were Salmonella and Staphylococcus. Excision with in situ repair was performed in nine patients; 11 patients underwent extraanatomic bypass grafting with aortic ligation. In situ graft repair was performed when the infected aorta could be removed entirely or when the thoracic or suprarenal aorta was involved. Axillofemoral bypass grafting was used when infection was extensive. There were eight disease-related deaths. No graft infections were encountered in patients who survived.
The two bacteria mentioned are also associated with food poisoning. Could this be the source for the infection?

source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2795769

[Maha Vailo]

So what you're trying to say is if I just practice good basic food safety, I should be fine?

- Maha Vailo

[mahesh]

So what you're trying to say is if I just practice good basic food safety, I should be fine?

- Maha Vailo
Maha..! you sound alarmed! why? what have you been doing so far? food safety-wise?

take it easy!

[gzhpcu]

So what you're trying to say is if I just practice good basic food safety, I should be fine?

- Maha Vailo
Not that simple, unfortunately. However, the odds of your getting it are awfully small (about 3 chances in a million...)

[Jens]

So what you're trying to say is if I just practice good basic food safety, I should be fine?


Not really. But there's no reason to worry about something like this. The potential danger from raising your blood pressure by worrying is MUCH more dangerous than any benefit you might get from thinking about it. Because as a modern human, there is a BIG chance that you will die of a heart attack, stroke, or cancer, but almost no chance that you will die of this bacteria. You should exercise and not smoke, etc. :)

[Maha Vailo]

Maha..! you sound alarmed! why? what have you been doing so far? food safety-wise?

take it easy!

Not alarmed, just curious. I'm actually pretty conscientious (sp?) about food safety, athough I do have an annoying tendency to burn pancakes and grilled cheese sandwiches. :shifty:

- Maha "kiss the chef" Vailo

[Joe Boy]

Not that simple, unfortunately. However, the odds of your getting it are awfully small (about 3 chances in a million...)

I am so happy you are okay. My soft spoken friend who always has a kind word for the unruly and unsophisticated mean wolf, not to mention half a woo woo. You were never in any real danger of leaving--you are just too good for that non-sense--joe