Good News on Aortic Dissection Front
Today, there’s was a publication released by Salah A. Mohamed, from the Department of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Schleswig-Holstein released about the Genetic correlation linked to the Acute Aortic Dissection disease. This is some really positive news and even if it prevents just one death , it’s worth the research. However, after reading this article, the benefits could be enormous! A simple blood test that could save your life!
I wrote Salah A. Mohamed an email today asking him for further information on what the name of the blood test will be called? Or how to actually go about ordering it. I will keep you posted just as soon as I hear something.
Brian
Keeping the Faith
It seems that sometimes we can choose to look at life as being unfair - as if we’d been dealt a bad deck of cards. I can see how some people might choose to see this way for perhaps a day or two. But, is it really worthliving your entire life with the mindset that “Life is not fair?” Who said that life isn’t fair? Why is it that we have a tendency (when things are going right) to blame others? Feel that GOD has let us down? That other people seem to get the bigger “carrots” in life and we’re left with just the left overs? The real way out of that thinking is to go straight to your knees and pray for forgiveness. UNTIL, you can forgive, you simply CAN NOT beat this viciouscircle. GOD is a GOD of forgiveness and wants the best for you in life. Being content with life is a double edged sword. If you find yourself on “auto-pilot” you don’t really get to learn and grow from what GOD is trying to show you. In my case, as I approach my 3rd month of having no job, I am at the “cusp” of finally getting hired again. I have three opportunities that hopefully are going to present offers either this week or Monday the 4thof August, I am supposed to hear about my opportunity with TWTelecom.com that I REALLY am hoping I get.
In life, we are certainly going to have ours “ups and downs” and it’s just a matter of 
being able to literally bounce back up after facing a set back. As this picture depicts, you will get knocked down, but… you can bounce backand even go higher that you previously thought you could go with GOD’s help and the FAITH knowing that he’s got you in the palm of his right hand. I listened to a great CD yesterday and as much as I had tried to get some of those folks that were responsible for my job loss, I had not really forgiven them 100%. Yesterday, I prayed for them and forgave them. It’s the ONLY way to move forward - YOU must forgive to be able to move forward.
I know that GOD is a GOD of LOVE, PEACE, JOY and HAPPINESS. It’s something that we all should be very thankful for and appreciate what we have. Quit comparing yourself to others whom you might consider more fortunate than you based on “material” objects, be THANKFUL for your creation. GOD made you in his image and you are special to him and he loves you dearly. Be thankful!
Brian
The Waiting is the hardest part
It’s a bit of sad day around the house as I had to take our cat of 17 years into the vet today. The vet said that her “skin cancer” was too far gone and the humane thing to do was put her to sleep. She was a great cat and the entire family will miss her.
I just got done listing to Tom Petty’s song, The Waiting and it’s really so true.. the waiting is the 
hardest part - especially when it’s waiting to hear if you are going to get the job you’ve applied for. I have literally done all that I can and it’s going to happen this week - I can just feel it. GOD is really testing my patience and I MUST have the faith and belief and see it in my minds eye - this WILL happen for me!
My legs are doing better, today I was able to take off the “ace bandages” and now only have to wear the stockings until be time. It appears that my mother needs to have her one leg looked into - this is a hereditary disease.
Not sure if I am going to be able to play any tennis this week and might play some doubles on Saturday am for the first time since the surgery.
Best!
Brian
The day after my Venus Closure Procedure
It’s Saturday am about 0800 and I would usually be at the tennis club playing my 0700-0830am doubles which I have been playing for the last 10+ years! However, I decided to move forward with my venus closure procedure. My legs are doing pretty good, I am wishing that I didn’t have to wear the ace bandages, the stockings are OK, it’s just that these bandages, one on my left leg and one on my right thigh and calf are kind of tight! Oh well, I will be glad in the long run that I finally got the courage to do this and can walk into Starbucks without thinking everyone is looking at my legs. My left leg was the worst of the two.
I was searching Google this morning and came across what I consider one (if not the most) comprehenisve articles on what exactly is an “aortic dissection” and I believe everyone should read this.
This picture shows a daron tube being sewn into the arotic wall. There’s also some glue that they use as well. Thanks again to Dr. Debakey! I still to this day (almost 5 years later) can not believe that I was able to survive. Especially against all the odds of having an ascending aortic dissection to begin with. You LITERALLY have to have GOD on your side and the amount of resources that have to come together to pull this surgery off - it’s a monumental effort. In fact, I was reading today, that some surgeon’s (in particular areas) are having a blood shortage (donors) and according to the article have to sometimes contemplate if they can do a surgery based on the amount of blood that will be required for the surgery. I have no idea how much blood it took for my operation, but I imagine a ton. You never stop and really think of those nice people that donate their blood - it’s such a blessing for that critical piece of the surgery!
Here’s some very interesting statistics:
Aortic dissection is the most frequently diagnosed lethal condition of the aorta and occurs nearly three times as frequently as does rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the United States.
Hypertension is the mechanical force most often associated with dissection and is found in greater than 75% of cases
As many as 40% of patients suffering acute aortic dissection die immediately
As many as 30% of patients ultimately diagnosed with acute dissection are first thought to have another diagnosis.
Fifty percent of patients suffering acute type A aortic dissection are dead within 48 hours.16 A conventional wisdom has evolved that acute type A dissection carries a “1% per hour” mortality. Newer data, however, reveal a different prognosis such that medical management may be considered in certain high-risk groups. In one such study, type A dissection was managed medically in 28% of patients for various reasons with a 58% in-hospital mortality.17 Regardless, this relatively high mortality demonstrates that patients surviving acute type A dissection must be quickly and aggressively diagnosed and managed
As you can see… I am a very lucky and thankful person to have been given a second chance at life. Not all of us will get that second chance at life - make sure your doing the things now that you might probably would be doing if you had to do it all over again. Don’t rely on a second chance - you might not get it. Be thankful for each day, each breath, each moment - give thanks!
Brian
Where there is HOPE there are POSSIBILITIES!
I found this on Google today. I thought it was perfect as I have really been enjoying my blog here. Not only am I hoping to help as many people as I possibly can learn more about diseases of the aorta, but to offer them hope - that they CAN keep going. Once you realize that you are a child of GOD, you also know that you are here on this earth to help people less fortunate than you.. Heck.. anybody for that matter. It’s just an “innate” genetic code that I think I have where I want to give back as much as I can as I was so blessed to have been given my life back. Had I been 40 days earlier, I might not have made it.
Something occurred to me today about really trusting Jesus Christ as my LORD and savior. The real issue 
is that when you get into the “SELF” mode you are essentially walking as if you are one with your own self. As if you are heading out in the sand with no direction as the picture illustrates. You are choosing to let the “self” try to run your life and putting the GOOD LORD on the back burner while you try to do everything yourself. There’s absolutely no way to really win the race with this mentality. Sure… there might be some small victories, but they are short-lived and empty. You MUST deny the self and let the GOOD LORD run your ship. Let him be the captain of the ship and guide you to places you have never been. These pictures below also bring the point that Jesus said that he will carry us in the palm of his right hand. I believe this to literally mean that it’s HIS foot prints that we see in the sand and it’s relying on him to take us into different directions - directions we’d never even
dreamed or thought of (lack of courage?).
. Could Jesus be wanting to bring you out to sea? Literally to an area you’d never thought possible? He could be with me! Or.. did you know if you just trusted him, he’d show you the light!
I can do ALL things through CHRIST who strengthens me!
Brian
Varicose Vein Procedure.. I did it!
Ok… I did it! I faced my fear of the Varicose Vein procedure today and even got both legs done at the same time! Believe me, I was looking around that “imaginary corner” finding/thinking of all the “what if’s” -but, I decided (on the final table) that I could do it. I had visions of pulling out of it, but stayed focused on my belief in GOD and pushed through the fear. My legs are still a bit numb and I just got back from a walk. My right calf is hurting, however, I am 99.999% sure it’d due to the 2 ace bandages and the one compression stocking on it. My right iliac artery to begin with was “narrowed” due to my false lumen squishing it as a result of my aortic dissection.
If you are anywhere in the state of Washington and need a vein procedure done, I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Strup at the Puget Sound Vein Center in Monroe Washington. They were fabulous! They are a very well trained team and Dr. Strup is phenomenal! Apparently, he’s done more of the Venus Closure techniques that anyone on the West Coast.
I still see nothing in my gmail inbox about whether or not I am going to get offered either one of the two jobs that I am trying for. I know that these companies are busy.. but.. I need to work! If I found 
out next week about the new job, I imagine that it will take at least another week or two till I get on. With that news, I can plan for a small vacation hopefully with the family for a few days and look forward to starting a new career somewhere.
I will be back in touch for more updates about my vein procedure and how things are going.
Brian
Stressing over what?
I am feeling the stress of the job situation, surgery tomorrow and just the fact that we’ve not taken a summer vacation. I am feeling guilty that I have let the family down and especially not being able to take a vacation due to my lack of work.
The strange thing is that between the job search, surgery, money situation and kids home for the summer, it’s all about taking things in stride. I could let my life appear to be in a “knot” like
never before… Or I can try to take things into perspective here and deal with them as they come up. While searching for this “knot” picture, I found a great article, “The Role of Stress in just about Everything,” and it’s a great read.
“I can’t express anger. I grow a tumor instead.”
—Woody Allen
I almost wanted (having a bit of an anger flashback) to contact those folks at Microsoft who were responsible for my getting laid off and give them a piece of my mind. But.. I decided I didn’t want to waste my time. They’ll get what’s coming to them and their own incompetencies. It’s ironic to think that these “clowns” are actually still employed there.
OK.. Onto more positive stuff… Like the weather! I am going to the Aquasox Game tomorrow night to watch and hear my daughter’s friend sing the National Anthem before the game. This should be fun!
Brian
Some Tennis , Fear, and an interview in afternoon
I played my usual Thursday am singles with Dr. George this morning. I lost the first set 7-5 and it was 4-4 in the 2nd when we ran out of the court time. It’s amazing how your mind can wonder all over the place while in the middle of a competitive singles match. I noticed that I was feeling a bit depressed for some reason. I didn’t play that bad and also was noticing the “fear” feeling of actually flying soon and having to face the “winning” of the match. I thought to myself, I am so sick and tired of fear of this that and the other running/ruining my life - I must continue to pray for strength and courage along with faith to see the “big picture” and that GOD is in control of my life. Tomorrow is my vein surgery and I’ve been trying to not let that creep into my psyche and take hold and get me going on some tangent that I can’t do it. I AM going to get this done and face the procedure head on. 
Like my dad said to me a while back, “son, no matter where you are, when GOD calls you home, it’s time to come home,” and that’s so TRUE.
No Worries
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”
~ Philippians 4:6-7
I think that this verse is the best one for me and to live by it each day and pray for FAITH.
I have an interview at 1pm today in Tukwila WA. It’s a great opportunity with a great company. I hope that it goes
well. The interview process is something very new for me and it’s taken me some time to get the hang of it. My main goal today is to exude confidence in not only myself, but my 20 years of experience that I can bring to this position and company. Knowledge and experience coupled with a “win/win” attitude is my goal.
Best!
Brian
Feeling Stuck? Getting Past Impasse
I have this book , Getting Unstuck: How Dead Ends Become New Paths, by Timothy Butler. In this book, it talks about the “inner critic” or it even goes as far as calling it Satan.
In particular, the inner critic becomes louder and more powerful during this second phase. The inner critic is that internal naysayer that Freud called the superego; but it wasn’t a new concept, it’s been around as long as humanity has. In Getting Unstuck I discuss some strategies for dealing with the inner critic. This picture shows a figure and having to make a choice on which path to take. That’s what it’s about. A new path out of the valley of the impasse. You MUST take it!
It’s at this moment of impasse that we really begin to see what we are made of. It’s a time to get a new perspective - out out of body experience if you will. A chance to look back at what you have or haven’t done to this point and a chance to change the course of where you will end up. This is me now… Right now.. I am in the valley and trying to find my way out and as I climb the mountain to get out, just trying to keep my eyes on the “goal” of getting out and seeing the new me at the top and where I can go with GOD’s direction.
At this time in my life after working the prior 20 years and now finding it a bit more difficult to find another job, I am hoping that by reaching deep down into the “soul” of my being, that my new career path has a genuine purpose for me. I don’t want to just go to work - I want to make an impact, a positive one.
Reality Check-Unemployment meeting today
Well, I had my official meeting today at the Unemployment office. I am assuming that this is a natural course that happens along the way of getting UE checks. I am about half way through my 26 weeks of UE and had a mandatory meeting today. They basically verify that you are doing at least 3 job searches a week - I am at about 20 and that you know about some of their resources. What I did learn today was a website, Indeed.com that is a great site to search for jobs.
I think that I am beginning to really feel like I am on the “cusp” of finally getting hired. 
However, part of me is literally feeling like I am going loony toons or better yet crazy from not being able to have landed a job yet. I have tried and tried, but for some reason, just haven’t landed a home run yet. I consider myself very talented and today seeing some of those people trying to work on their resumes and searching - I really feel for them. A lot of those folks don’t even have a computer of their own to work on. I am very fortunate to actually be in the situation with the UE and the severance package I got. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still the pits getting these constant “no thanks” messages. But… If you want to succeed in life.. double your failure rate! I WILL find a job soon!
Oh… I managed to get a late entry into the WA State Open Tennis Tourney. I am hoping that I will be ready to play as my surgery is this Friday, the 25th of July and I am thinking that I might actually get both legs done instead of just my left leg.
Thanks,
Brian