Yesterday, my Mum, Anne Davies underwent a major surgical procedure performed by Dr. Robert Maggisano, the head of Vascular Surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.Maggisano had been monitoring the steady growth of an abdominal aortic aneurysm that had been discovered during some routine tests a few years back.
About two months ago we received the news we had all been expecting yet dreading. The ‘beast’ had grown to the point where the medical opinion was that it needs to be removed before it caused irreparable damage. Further, the possibility of performing a less invasive procedure was not going to be an option. This was to be major. An incision would be created from just under the breastbone all the way down to the pubic area.
Wednesday May 27, 2009 was the day.
We were all aware of the severity of the procedure and of the list of potential complications in the event Mum survived the surgery.
At around 6.00am, my five siblings, me and one of twelve grand children (and it was Alyssa’s birthday, too) descended upon the pre-surgery waiting area. Everyone was alert and the usual Taylor-style gallows humour was evident as Mum was prepared for admission and then for her surgery.
Maggisano had thought that us all being there to see her being wheeled into the OR would do wonders for her morale and inner strength. It was tough for all of us watching this suddenly frail woman with moist eyes and a forced smile being wheeled away from us down a long hall. Somehow we all managed to hold it together.
We had been advised that the procedure itself should take 4 – 6 hours. The surgery would commence at 7.45am – give or take a moment or two.
Slowly and wordlessly, hugging and touching one another, we shuffled to the patient waiting area of the Cardio Vascular Intensive Care Unit.
We spoke. We joked. Large families have special bonds. I’m the eldest. My youngest sister, Lindsey, is 12 years younger. We’re the closest and, in some ways, quite similar. Ever-present volunteers approached us with a coffee trolley. Only Lindsey and I wanted something – tea and cookies.
As the morning wore on, we each agreed this was good – the longer Mum was in surgery, in some ways, the better. At about 11.15am, Lindsey, Ross, Alyssa and me went in search of a place to eat some lunch.
Sitting at the table about to have soup and a sandwich, Lindsey’s phone rang. Almost as one, the four of us looked at each other anxiously and thought, “This can’t be good news…!”
Turns out there were two aneurysms. The smaller one was calcified. Both were safely removed and the repairs were done. Maggisano made the comment that the procedure was a little more “technical” than anticipated but all was well. The next few hours would be critical.
An hour later, Alyssa and I were the first to go into ICU to see Mum. She was, unexpectedly breathing on her own without assistance, but she looked so small, so vulnerable in a seemingly enormous bed surrounded by monitoring equipment and the best health care staff OHIP could provide.
She was awake, but was out of it. Her skin felt cold to the touch. Lights flashed intermittently. Digits changed constantly on a large LCD monitor bedside. Unfamiliar sounds echoed around her. The medical staff was amazing and so reassuring all that afternoon and into the night as we each took turns to spend a few moments with Mum.
Her amazing inner strength and resilience (some might call it stubbornness) prevailed and over the next few hours began to progress – to the point she almost got feisty in a manner that those that know her, would recognize immediately. Mum was coming back.
She had a good night and will be moved to a room, out of ICU later this morning.
On behalf of my sisters, Beverley, Karen, Joanne, Lindsey and brother Ross and my nieces and nephews, Kristen, Nicolas, Graeme, Natasha, Michael, Alyssa, Max, Jackson, Brendan, Max, Sammy and Alexander and all other family members and friends, our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Sunnybrook especially Dr. Maggisano and Marg Gadke who went out of there way to ensure that this family have their Mother to celebrate more birthdays and family events in the months and years to come.
Oh yes, Mum’s not too happy to hear that she should not be driving for at least six weeks. How is she going to see everyone?
10 comments:
good to hear the good news.
warmest,
Scott
Great news David. I'm sure your mum will be leaping out of planes very soon again!
Your Mum's lucky
Mine had been complaining for some time about a pain in her abdomen, but her Dr. could find nothing.
Thursday, the aneurysm ruptured.
She required 8 units of blood. She is in trauma ward, under sedation, with 8 i.v.s, a respirator and a kidney machine.
Instead of a family picnic this weekend, we are by her bed hoping she will wake up.
When we get to talk to her family Dr, she will get an earful, believe me.
DJ
So sorry to hear the news.
We know what it's like.
Mum had been under a specialists care for a couple of years now -- since the bugger was discovered. Exactly how it was discovered, I do not recall. TLATO and I are seeing Mum this afternoon; we'll ask again then.
Mum was being monitored every six months; at one point this thing seemed to have stopped growing. Then it decided to start up agail. At that point, it had exceeded the 'threshold' and a decision was made. The whole time, Mum always felt like she was a walking time bomb, never knowing if or when the beast would rupture.
In the meantime, our thoughts are with you, your family and your Mum.
It was discovered when she was having her galbladder area checked by Ultrasound. So routine ultrasound. Apparantly that is how many of them are found. They usually go undetected.
So sorry that you and your family are going through this.
Joanne...(Davids sister)
Hoping for the best for your mum DJ
Ross (David's brother)
Thanks folks,
Nice to know that even though we are basically strangers, we are all in this world together.
Thanks for your support.
Keep your stick on the ice.
DJW
(PS this will be blogged)
Stay strong for your Mum. I hope she has a full recovery
Karen (another of David's sisters)
Before your friend DJ rips into his Mum's doctor for negligence, I would like him to hear my story.I had an ongoing problem with abdominal pains every now and then. (previously, and correctly diagnosed as stones passing through bile duct which were still being created although my gall bladder had been removed) My doctor said "let's see if anything else is going on and I had an ultrasound. My aneurysm was then detected. Over the next 2/12 yrs it was closely monitored with various tests under the aegis of Dr.Robert Maggisano, Head of Vascular Surgery at Sunnybrook. Pretty uneventful enlargement of the aneurysm, until a couple of months ago when it had a growth spurt and an op was no longer a choice but an essential. I had the surgery, and all went well.Tiredness and lack of appetite have been the residuals, but under the tlc of my youngest daughter and family I can tell I am getting back to normality. My GP has decided that as a result of my experience he will schedule an abdominal ultrasound for patients over 55. Personally, I would never have known as I had no symptoms of an aneurysm - so many are never detected until they burst. I believe Einstein, Lucille Ball and George C. Scott had aneurysms. I hope with all my heart that DJ's Mum has the same excellent care that I had.My thouhgts are with her constantly,
Anne Davies.
Thanks for your wishes Ozzie and crew.
And thank your Mum for sharing her experience.
As you may have gathered, my mother didn't make it, the blood loss was too severe, and the residual damage too great.
It turns out she knew she had it for a few years, and chose not to have it treated.
This was her choice as a way to go.
Too bad we all don't get to choose how we go.
DJW
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