Saturday, September 3, 2011

Feeling new

Mr. A. is an 87 y/o man who has a great outlook on life.

I've known him for about 7 years.

He has a standard response when asked how he feels.

"Brand new," he always replies.

For a number of years now he has been followed every 6 months for an abdominal aneurysm.

He's had two different opinions from vascular surgeons.

One advises to operate and the other advises to monitor.

Both are well respected specialists but it's obviously caused much discussion over the last few years with the patient, as well as with his extended family members.

For now, he continues to feel comfortable monitoring it.

I noticed yesterday that he was sitting sideways, looking at me with his head turned while we were reviewing his latest study that showed no change in the size of the aneurysm.

Me: Why are you sitting that way?

Patient: I just figured I would point my belly away from you in case it ruptures while we're talking.

He laughed first and then so did I.

It was such a hearty laugh that I let him now the anuerysm must still be pretty strong to withstand such pressure.

"I'm brand new, doc, brand new."

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