From: Kirsten Christianson
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 6:13 PM
To: 'Kirsten Christianson'
Subject: News/Updates/Prayer Requests
For those of you who are getting this news for the first time, my apologies. I had limited access to my e-mail when the events below unfolded. Feel free to read the bottom e-mail first so you are up-to-speed!
Thank you to everyone who has prayed. It has made a difference in my countenance, bravery and hope. As you know I have been diagnosed with two dissecting aneurysms (one mostly healed, one not). When I wrote the last e-mail, the hope was that they unhealed one could be treated through medicine. I was looking forward to getting out of the hospital Thursday morning.
However, Thursday I woke up with a painful headache and several blind spots that came and went in my field-of-vision. After some talk, consultations and exams, I was wheeled into surgery for another angiogram to confirm what was suspected—the left aneurysm was deteriorating and throwing clots. During the angiogram they were able to see that the aneurysm was much worse than originally thought and the doctors ended up putting three (rather than the anticipated one) stents into my carotid artery and then rebuilding the artery. After four hours of work, they were satisfied with the blood flow and ended the procedure.
Thursday night I was in quite a bit of pain. This morning I awoke with a permanent black patch in my right eye's field-of-vision. I was emergently sent to the ophthalmologist who did several tests and diagnosed me with having several retinal infarctions. Mostly likely, between the time I discovered the blind spot and the time we made it into the operating room, the aneurysm "threw" several clots up into my retina. The ophthalmologist is unsure whether plain sight will return to my right eye. Right now, it is as though I have a sheath of black gauze hanging off my eyelid. They told me only time will tell.
Dr. Shah showed me the pictures from my procedure before discharging me. It was sobering. Basically, the right side of my brain was getting very limited blood and oxygen. Three inches of the right carotid artery was almost completely blocked. Dr. Shah told me that if we had not caught this there was a greater than 80% chance that I would have had a catastrophic stroke in the near future. Needless to say, I am very grateful for my life. I was quite terrified yesterday as I was wheeled into the operating room.
Our family has rallied around us and Thad has enjoyed a lot of time at his aunt and uncles. I also had my first ride in an ambulance—with lights and sirens, too! I met some wonderful people at the hospital. I had a private room for all but five minutes of my stay—and I really liked my roommate. We had to laugh when we found out each other's situations. At 66, she was in for a tonsillectomy while at 43, I was in for stents! The stay at the hospital was by far the best hospital experience I have ever had. The nurses and doctors were incredible and the level of care was everything I could have wished for if I had the opportunity.
My prognosis is good. I need to take it easy for the next week or so. Dr. Shah said that with this procedure, my stroke risk is in the single digits through this aneurysm. I will be monitored regularly for the other aneurysm. I feel very blessed and incredibly glad to be HOME! Hopefully the headaches will fade out over the next two to three months, and take the black gauze with it.
Thanks again, for all y our wonderful notes, prayers and wishes. I truly felt surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses!
Kϊrsten
Monday, April 28, 2008
a Near-Life Experience, Part I
From: Kirsten [mailto:]
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:19 PM
To: 'Kirsten'
Subject: a Little News & a Prayer Request
I am typing this from Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, where the doctors have diagnosed me with two “dissecting aneurysms”, one on each carotid artery, just below my skull. (Just a little word of caution: I am on some pain medication as I am writing this, so feel free to giggle where called for. Apparently, yesterday when I was asked if there were incidents of stroke in my family history, I replied, “The man wanted to buy more cows, but he ran out of money.” So you are forewarned!)
Thankfully, my aneurysms are not in my brain and so are far less dangerous than those that are. Still, they do still pose a danger and need to be addressed immediately. A dissecting aneurysm is a tear that occurs in the wall of the artery so that blood gets in between the inner part of the wall and the outer part of the wall. As blood collects in the “pocket”, it restricts blood and oxygen flow to the brain and if it doesn’t make its way back into the artery, it will burst. Right now, in my aneurysm, the blood makes its way back into the artery through the inner wall. However, the doctors have found that my arterial walls, in general, are quite weak and so want to correct this problem.
The aneurysm on the left appears to be older and healed over. Blood flow to the brain is minimally restricted. The one on the right is new and blood and oxygen flow is fairly restricted, so it needs to be treated. I have had countless CAT scans (well, at least four), several MRI’s, one MRA, an angiogram, and an ultrasound of my head (weird experience!).
The hope is that this aneurysm can be healed medically—meaning through medicine. Currently I am taking one aspirin a day and a drug called Plavix. The aspirin thins the blood and the Plavix restricts the blood from forming platelets. However, if tomorrow’s contrast CAT scan shows poor blood flow or any other complications, then they will put in a stent (made up of material and fabric) to reinforce the weak wall of the artery. Needless to say, that is an invasive and more risky treatment and will require more time in the hospital.
I have been suffering with severe headaches for about four months. I thought they were sinus headaches and have been on a couple courses of antibiotics. Two weeks ago, I had a headache that was excruciating and included an aura. This motivated me to go to the doctor again last week. Tests were ordered for this week. However, last weekend I acquired several new symptoms, including a numb face, vertigo and nasusea. Monday evening I went to the ER near our house and then was transported to the main hospital just after midnight.
Given all that has happened, everything has gone very smoothly. Thad is staying with my Aunt Bea and Uncle Matt and is happy as a lark. Pete has been just incredible in every way. My time in the hospital has been the best I have ever experienced. The level of care and the kindness extended by the doctors and staff has helped Pete and me feel confident and supported.
Thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated. I will let you know how it all turns out once I find out—in the next few days.
Kϊrsten
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:19 PM
To: 'Kirsten'
Subject: a Little News & a Prayer Request
I am typing this from Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, where the doctors have diagnosed me with two “dissecting aneurysms”, one on each carotid artery, just below my skull. (Just a little word of caution: I am on some pain medication as I am writing this, so feel free to giggle where called for. Apparently, yesterday when I was asked if there were incidents of stroke in my family history, I replied, “The man wanted to buy more cows, but he ran out of money.” So you are forewarned!)
Thankfully, my aneurysms are not in my brain and so are far less dangerous than those that are. Still, they do still pose a danger and need to be addressed immediately. A dissecting aneurysm is a tear that occurs in the wall of the artery so that blood gets in between the inner part of the wall and the outer part of the wall. As blood collects in the “pocket”, it restricts blood and oxygen flow to the brain and if it doesn’t make its way back into the artery, it will burst. Right now, in my aneurysm, the blood makes its way back into the artery through the inner wall. However, the doctors have found that my arterial walls, in general, are quite weak and so want to correct this problem.
The aneurysm on the left appears to be older and healed over. Blood flow to the brain is minimally restricted. The one on the right is new and blood and oxygen flow is fairly restricted, so it needs to be treated. I have had countless CAT scans (well, at least four), several MRI’s, one MRA, an angiogram, and an ultrasound of my head (weird experience!).
The hope is that this aneurysm can be healed medically—meaning through medicine. Currently I am taking one aspirin a day and a drug called Plavix. The aspirin thins the blood and the Plavix restricts the blood from forming platelets. However, if tomorrow’s contrast CAT scan shows poor blood flow or any other complications, then they will put in a stent (made up of material and fabric) to reinforce the weak wall of the artery. Needless to say, that is an invasive and more risky treatment and will require more time in the hospital.
I have been suffering with severe headaches for about four months. I thought they were sinus headaches and have been on a couple courses of antibiotics. Two weeks ago, I had a headache that was excruciating and included an aura. This motivated me to go to the doctor again last week. Tests were ordered for this week. However, last weekend I acquired several new symptoms, including a numb face, vertigo and nasusea. Monday evening I went to the ER near our house and then was transported to the main hospital just after midnight.
Given all that has happened, everything has gone very smoothly. Thad is staying with my Aunt Bea and Uncle Matt and is happy as a lark. Pete has been just incredible in every way. My time in the hospital has been the best I have ever experienced. The level of care and the kindness extended by the doctors and staff has helped Pete and me feel confident and supported.
Thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated. I will let you know how it all turns out once I find out—in the next few days.
Kϊrsten
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