Michael's aortic dissection patient story

Following his training session, Michael was driving back home when he felt a severe pain around his neck and throat.

Michael suffered from an existing condition, Ankylosing Spondylitis, diagnosed whilst serving in the army during an operational tour in Iraq in 2004/5 so, he was used to experiencing sporadic pains. However, this pain was different and didn’t pass.

He managed to get home and started walking up the garden path trying to catch his breath as he went but, the pain was severe by now. He told his wife Louise that he had a strange pain in his neck and, wondered if he had pulled a muscle but by now, he was looking white and sweating profusely. Louise worried he may be having a heart attack – Michael laughed at the suggestion saying he probably just needed to crack his back. 

After being on hold to NHS24 they decided to make their way to hospital – trying to remain calm Michael relayed his symptoms to Louise as he felt like he was blacking out. 

Michael recounts what followed as they arrived at the Western General hospital in Edinburgh – “I asked my wife Louise to drive right into the A&E department and, she quickly ran into the hospital shouting for help. I couldn’t get my seatbelt off and wasn't in a position to get out of the car myself– eventually help came and they helped me into a wheelchair and on to RESUS. 

The medical staff quickly started their checks and, one of the young doctors said, I think this is an Aortic Dissection to which I laughed and said you are going to give me an injection and I’ll be home tonight. I didn’t know what a dissection was and, I’d not had experience of an emergency room.

I was rushed up for a CT scan which confirmed tears in my aorta – so they prep me, and I was blue lighted to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where I was met by a specialist team.

I was asked a lot of questions to which at that point I said, stop asking questions – just do what you need to do! I asked the surgeon what the chances of living and dying and he said it was a 10% chance I wouldn't make it. They shared their concerns about sepsis and the surgeon (Dr Koutsogiannis AKA Harris) looked me in the eye and said 'let's do this’ so, I shook his hand and said whatever will be will be (later I found out that Dr Harris is a bit off a legend around the hospital)."

"Next thing I remember was waking up a day or so later with my wife by my bedside and, I can hear my wife saying Michael – Stewart is here. This was unusual as Stewart (aged 22) is in the army at Fort George around a 3-hour drive away. I was thinking what is he doing here - he should be at work. As I prised my eyes open for a few seconds (I think) I then woke again to my daughter (Amy 20) and then my youngest Craig, 15 coming in and I was trying to grab his hand, but I couldn't move.

I must have drifted off to sleep as the next thing I remember was waking up with a tube being removed and being sick. I fell in and out sleep regularly over the day and woke up at around 1.30am when it was dark I was still in the "glassbox" in intensive care.”

Michael soon started his recovery – remarkably he was out within 6 days - extremely fast given the circumstances.

He did suffer a few complications and, had a few bad episodes resulting in further admission so his first few months of recovery have been tough going.

Now, nearly a year on and although there are still some struggles, Michael is looking forward to what the rest of his life holds.

A special mention goes to Michael’s wife Louise – not only for her actions in taking him in the car to hospital which undoubtedly saved his life but, for everything she has done since.  Not forgetting his kids and close family who have been a great support throughout this experience.

Michael would also like to give a mention to Dan and the AD Facebook group for the initial advice they provided and for the advice in the Patient Guide which allowed Michael to understand the operation and what that entailed. His thanks also go to others on the group for their support and, it has been a great help to read other members experiences. 

“The hard part has been people saying you have been lucky (this not happening would have been lucky) but we need to move forward and keep pushing as my story is far from over. “

Today is a good day