BEWARE EVAR
It could kill you!
This elective “minimally invasive” procedure sent me to the hospital for 12 terrifying days resulting in blood clots to my legs, lung and heart, pneumonia and a wound infection…
70 is the new fifty…
Hello, my name is Charles Terry Hall. You may or may not know me from many QVC appearances, or my extensive work in the international beauty and well-being industries over the last 40 years. I travel the world, still actively working as an author and global business development expert in the international spa & well-being sectors. I maintain a very active lifestyle and enjoy living my best life with my spouse of 44 years. We just returned to the United States after living twelve glorious years in Asia. After 30 years in New York, we decided to switch it up and relocate to Philadelphia, primarily due to the well developed healthcare landscape that dominates the “City of Brotherly Love “.
After twelve years in Asia, we have settled in Philadelphia, living our best life
I’ve been told I am the poster boy for “70 is the new 50". I take excellent care of myself via great nutrition, exercise and the transformative power of positive thinking. I treated myself to a facelift before leaving Thailand, quite pleased with the natural looking results. I earnestly plan to live 100 years…at least I’ll give it my very best effort.
I’m all about…
PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE
EXCELLENT NUTRITION
STAYING CURIOUS AND ACTIVE…
LOVING AND BEING LOVED IN RETURN…
Two weeks after my facelift in Thailand. My 71st birthday present to myself. Ready to return to USA after twelve years in Asia
An integral part of my well- being program includes regular, elective screening procedures. My GP suggested I screen for AAA (ascending aortic aneurysm). A rupture in my abdominal aorta was detected. Scary stuff, to be sure. If this primary aorta ruptures, most don’t make it to the ER, but usually die in the ambulance en route to the hospital, due to massive internal bleeding.
Older men, with a history of ANY smoking tend to develop this particular symptom and must be monitored closely for any increase in the size of the tear in the aorta. I gave up a light smoking habit 25 years ago, yet a aneurysm was found during my screening process. As my “ scary tear” increased very gradually from 3.5 to 4.5, EVAR, an elective procedure, was suggested by my vascular doctor at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. I happily agreed, and scheduled the “minimally invasive procedure”. I was assured I would spend one night in hospital for monitoring and be sent home the next day.
The EVAR procedure…
During the procedure, several things went terribly wrong: both equipment failure and technician failure. I developed blood clots, pneumonia and infection at the wound site and would remain in hospital 12 days. It became the most terrifying experience of my long, healthy and active life. I will never be the same person and am seeking treatment for PTSD
Somethings went terribly wrong during the allegedly safe repair procedure…
During the procedure, a surgeon inserts a stent-graft into the aorta through a small incision in the groin:
Step 1 The surgeon makes a small incision in the groin
Step 2 A catheter is inserted into the incision and threaded through a blood vessel to the aneurysm.
Step 3 A dye is injected into the arteries to help the surgeon see the aorta on the x-ray
Step 4 The surgeon places the stent-graft into the aneurysm through the catheter
Step 5 The catheter is removed, and the incision is closed
The stent-graft acts as a new pipe to reline the anueurysm, relieving pressure and preventing rupture and sudden death…
Patient is generally sent home the next day with no side effects.
NOT IN MY CASE!
After the procedure, most patients can return home the next day and resume light activity. Most can resume normal activity after a month, with their surgeons’ approval. Not in my case. I would remain in hospital 12 days. I almost died.
Within six months prior to my EVAR NIGHTMARE, I had a shoulder replacement at the renowned Rothman Orthopedic Institute in Philadelphia. The procedure was performed by the extraordinarily talented Dr. Surena Namdari. The replacement was a great success and I was sent home the same day to recover. Extraordinary, but true! My scar has practically faded, and I have full use of my shoulder. Marvelous results indeed.
One week after my shoulder replacement. Extraordinary!
Two months later I had another elective hernia repair procedure at Jefferson Hospital. The robotic procedure went very well and I was sent home the next day. After 3 days' rest, I was back to my usual vigorous routine, feeling fine and planning our next trip abroad. Portugal is our new passion.
Bolstered by success with these recent procedures, and eager to resolve my AAA, I decided it was time for my EVAR procedure. This “minimally invasive “ procedure almost took my life. The anticipated 2 hour surgery became 5, hours as my spouse waited anxiously in the waiting room for an update. Finally, someone from the surgical team appeared to provide an update. “Placque complicated the procedure. Unfortunately, we did not see it in the CAT scan prior to surgery. We’ve had a malfunction with the equipment, which resulted in torn tissue and severe internal bleeding”. My spouse asked to speak with the primary surgeon but was told she had left “due to an emergency”. Stunned, my spouse asked, “what emergency could possibly take priority over her 72 year old patient, experiencing complications and internal bleeding?” Shockingly, she had left mid- procedure! Her surgical team finished up the procedure as an open surgery. l would soon develop life-threatening complications.
Things went very wrong. I would spend the next 12 days in and out of Jefferson Hospital with life- threatening complications.
I was wheeled out to recovery, a bloody mess. They had not even wiped the blood from my hands. My spouse was horrified by their casual demeanor.
I would spend the next five days in hospital, only to go home and collapse two days later. I was readmitted for five additional terrifying days. It was the worst experience of my life.
It will most assuredly be a long, slow recovery process. I will go slow, remain active and hope to live my best life life for a few more decades.
Planning my next vacation and aiming for my 100th Birthday
Dearest friends, family and cherished followers:
Please heed my advise and go slow with elective, “so called” minimally invasive procedures. No invasion to the body should be considered minimal…a minuscule mosquito bite can kill you!
Please, do diligence with any cosmetic surgeries you are considering and diligently vet the surgeon you choose!
