A Near Life Experience, Part 2

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