Torn Aorta, is there much of a chance for recovery?? ***Miracles DO happen!!***

I wish I were posting something more positive :(

Overnight we received news that my Sister's FIL (and MIL) who are currently in Edinburgh, Scotland, when they arrived at the airport and when FIL got out of the car, he passed out from excruciating pain, lucky there were two police officers close by they organised the airport ambulance and they were bundled off to hospital before they knew it.

Where it was discovered that his aorta had torn, he was taken into surgery where it was repaired, we have had news that he has suffered brain damage and his kidneys are not coping at the moment. But we just got news that he has stabilised, so we are hoping and praying that his children can get over there in time, two are in Australia (inc BIL) and one brother is in Switzerland and was on his way as soon as he heard the news. They organised passports today and are currently trying to get flights out, at present they are on stanby for Thursday but somthing may be possible tomorrow afternoon :crossfingers:

Unfortunately my only experience with this is my Uncle who passed away from the same thing a couple of years ago. He was only in his 40's, it happened while he was teaching at school, and basically straight afterwards he couldn't talk or anything, and he survived long enough for his organs to be donateed, but we do know the S's FIL had spoken to BIL, so I believe he was in a slightly better condition.

Has anyone else experienced a family member with the same condition/complication, what was the prognosis? We are looking for hope, any hope.... at least for his children to make it to see him.

TIA
xxoo

No experience with this here sorry.. just sending you :hug: and hope

Oh hun, I'm sorry :hug:

TBH, as soon as I saw your thread, I didn't have much hope. But, given the fact that he survived the surgery, I think you have definite reason to hope. The aorta is such a major body part that I think the surgery would've been the biggest risk, but he's obviously strong enough to have gotten through it, so that's a VERY good sign :)

With regards to the kidneys, I'm not a doctor, but they may come good again once the shock to the body has worn off, KWIM? I'm hoping the same would be true of his brain - our bodies are amazing things, with amazing coping mechanisms, so hopefully he just needs some time to recover.

I don't know if you're a spiritual person, but you're in my prayers chicky :)

Oh Beema big big :hug: no advice but your family are in my prayers xox

Vic :hug: :hug: :hug:

Thanks girls, thankyou for keeping us in your prayers, SG I was a lot more spiritual as I was growing up, was quite involved, but as I went through Uni and beyond I lost that part of my life and haven't really gone back, but I am really feeling that I need to return.

We are hopeful that he is stable, that he can remain stable for a few days at least, getting through the surgery was the biggest milestone, hopefully there will be many more to come.

My sis let me know that the Dr's had just recently been to a conference on developments in heart surgery, so we are hopefull that this has had a positive impact.

:hug:

Oh Beema *hugs* my thoughts are with your family tonight. I am not a medical person, but that he's out of surgery must be a good thing.
And I hear you on the spirituality, I've had leanings that way myself lately.

im gonna be completely frank as im so exhausted myself

oh crap :hug: i can only wish that he is alright or will be alright. so so so sorry sweet!

Prayers and thoughts from me tonight darling... :hug:

I hope his family arrive soon to see him. It's so traumatic for all involved. :hug:

Oh no :hug: praying for you all.

WOW.

From what I know, people who suffer this (usually from an accident) don't usually survive because its too late to repair. The fact they got him in surgery and HAVE repaired it is an amazing sign to me. It can take awhile for the body to recover, I'd say it's not over yet my friend.
The kidneys may have taken a hit, but they can take the pressure off - it's wonderful he has stabilised. Healing wishes heading over to Scotland right now xoxoxo

How does the aorta just tear like that?

My Step dad survived an aorta annurism (I assume it is similar). He had a lot of clots go through his system, many to his leg. He almost lost the lower half of his leg as parts of it were just dying off. He did end up living for about another 8 years after that, he already had pre-existing heart troubles and other than taking his meds, did nothing to improve his health. I was about 13 at the time, so I don't really know all details, just that the clots are the things to be concerned about.

So it is survivable and it is fantastic that he has stabilised. Sending healing vibes and big hugs. Please remember to also look after yourself in this time.

was it an abdomnal aorta tear or cardiac aorta??

My aunty is a really fit woman now and she had a torn cardiac aorta. It has been replaced with an artificial one now.

It really is based on the individual. so hard to say how he will be. But recovery of the human body is an amazing thing.

hope everything goes well!

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How does the aorta just tear like that?

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I guess it must be a weakness, , and by doing something that puts increased strain on the heart, it weakens and tears... don't know really!

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was it an abdomnal aorta tear or cardiac aorta??

My aunty is a really fit woman now and she had a torn cardiac aorta. It has been replaced with an artificial one now.

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I am not sure which is was, but will try to find out.

We have had some positive news overnight, he is responding to his Wife and he has started to urinate - which is a fabulous sign. They are still trying to ascertain the extent of brain damage, if any, but it is still very early days.

BIL and his sister and one brother have got a flight out today at 3:30pm, it is going to be a long 30 hours to get to Edinburgh, and we are hoping that he continues along the same path.

The other Brother who was in Switzerland and is now with him, had to wait 13 hours to get out of Switzerland, and has left his children with friends and they will be flying down in a couple of days when there are flights available.

Thankyou sooo much for some amazing stories of survival, we are continuing to pray for his recovery. :grouphug:

Yaay for doing wee!

Praying for him that he continues improving.

Wee is a good sign that body is starting to work again.

Thinking of you all

Praying for your family xx:pray:

A quick update:

Some good news, the family has all arrived in Edinburgh in the early hours of this morning (our time).

SIS's FIL is responding to voices, and is still stable, they are going to try to bring him out of the coma on Friday, if all continues along the same path :pray:

Thankyou all for you prayers and messages. :hug:

So glad to hear things are on the up Beema...will still keep you all in my thoughts for a speedy recovery xox

I only just saw this, sending lots of :hug:

This happened to my nana about 20 years ago. There was a tear in her aorta and they needed to replace the whole things. Well she only passed away last year from a stroke. Her heart kept going quite strong for over 20 years, she had regular check ups just to keep an eye on it.

Just wanted to let you know there are some positives about having the aorta worked on, and another 20 years of happy and healthy living for my nana. I don't know much about the other damage that was suffered, but hopefully it will also fix in time

Again, lots of :hug:

my thoughts and prayers are with the family...pray he continues to improve and makes a full recovery xxxx

Great news Beema, hope he continues to recover well and come home soon!

Unfortunately todays news is not good :(

He had an MRI overnight ad there appears to be very little brain activity. Tomorrow is Father's Day in the United Kingdom, so they have decided to spend fathers day with him, and decide after that what the next course of action is, we believe they will still wait to see if he comes out of the coma.

Thankyou all for your prayers
xxoo

Oh Beema, I'm sorry :(

So sorry to hear this Beema - am keeping all in my thoughts

Oh Beema how tragic! :( All the best to his family.

I'm sorry to hear this Beema - keep strong and know that our thoughts here are with you.

Oh hunny :hug:
I don't have any advice for the aorta
but as far as kidneys i almost died twice from serious kidney complications as a teen and 2 years ago kidneys are pretty good that way, they improve out of sight mine are as good as the next persons now
but seriously im so sorry I really hope a miracle can happen
in my prayers

Thankyou so much for your message and prayers.

About 1 hour ago the machines were turned off, he is holding on, but we hope that he find peace very soon. I wish I were able to give my sister a big hug right now, as her Hubby is there with his dad (she was not able to fly due to having a stroke a few years ago and almost a second stroke last year). She is alone as she has sent her two boys to bed and is waiting for the news to come through.

We prayed and we hoped, but it wasn't to be. At least the family made it to be at his side.

Thankyou your words have meant so much, your stories of hope, gave us a light to look forward to. :comfort:

oh honey :(
your family are in my thoughts and prayers
x

I am so sorry to hear your sad news Beema. Sending hugs to all of the family. Saying goodbye is such a hard thing to do. Thinking of them all.

Well it has been a few days since providing an update, we are still in complete shock as to what has happened over the last few days.

At the end of the week, SIS's FIL was sleeping, the nurse left the room and when she came back from her break she received the shock of her life..... note that all life support had been removed 4 days earlier, he was on Morphine for pain relief and oxygen at night, no antibiotics, or other assistance...

Back tot he story... she walked into his room and he was sitting at the end of the bed and said "Hi" (it is still all he can say at the moment that is easily comprehended)!!!!!

Apparently he is one of the 1% who is defying all odds. He said no when he got to the gates and said I am not ready, i am going back....

The doctors believe that the medications from the surgery were masking his brain activity, and by stopping them when they did the effect they were having on the brain dissapated.

He has a long way to go, but this is massive!!!!! He is sitting up, they have remvoed the NGT (nasal gastric tube - for feeding), he is learning to eat, and will have to go and relearn everything again, a bit like after having a stroke.

He is being medivac'd back to Australia, most likely next week with his family :bluecheer:

When my sister told me I just couldn't believe it, everyone has been completely blown away by the news and we are hopeful for a recovery, we have no idea how much of a recovery but he is already showing amazing signs, so only time will tell.

Thankyou all so very much for your thoughts and prayers, I am sure all the vibes called out to say that he isn't ready to go just yet! :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

OH MY GOD!
that is the most incredible thing ive ever heard
wow
God was watching over him
what a fighter?
all i can say is im so stoked to hear this

Wow! That is a miracle. I will pray for his continued improvement. That's so fantastic.

:jawdrop:
Vic that is incredible! What amazing news for your family!

What a truely amazing man!! The human will is absolutely astounding!! Wishing him a speeding rehab period.

Wow, that is amazing, I have shivers! I hope his recovery continues well :D

I had shivers reading your update!
That is just the most amazing news babe and I am so happy for you and your family :)
Woohoo!

WOW! That is a miracle! what great news!

That's incredible!! WOW!! I hope his recovery goes well.

xox