Never knew I had an aneurysm

I went for a routine echo for suspected kidney stones. The technician asked if I had ever had problems with my aorta... to which I replied no. She said... well you have now. She got another technician in to have a look, then I was asked to wait outside.

They then appeared with a wheelchair and I was taken straight away to a surgical assessment ward. I was then taken for a CT scan and this is where a 9cm abdominal aneurysm was found. A vascular surgeon came and said they would operate on Monday or Tuesday... it was Friday when this happened.

I was put on a ward and the next morning another vascular surgeon came and examined me. There was a noticeable bulge just below my belly button. The surgeon said... this is about to rupture... and that I was next for surgery!

Several other surgeons and anaesthetists came and explained everything... though I am not sure anything went in. I was so upset to have gone from what I thought was "just kidney stones" to a life-saving operation.

I had the operation and spent a day in ICU, then ten days in the step-down unit. I had a femoral embolectomy as well after a blood clot was found in my leg. Apart from that, I came out of it relatively unscathed.

As of writing this, I am 11 weeks post-op. I have a little pain but it's manageable. I get tired easily... but I am here. Nothing but praise for our fast-acting NHS.

Shared by Jane Denton with the Aortic Centre Trust in March 2025.