The Diagnosis: Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

An unexpected result

Recently, our lives took an unexpected turn when Shawn got the results of a simple CAC (Coronary Artery Calcium) scan to determine if genetic high cholesterol was causing plaque to build up in his arteries, putting him at risk of a heart attack. The good news, the cardiologist said, was that there wasn’t much plaque, the bad news was that they detected a 4.8cm aneurysm on his ascending thoracic aorta.

I work in the office on Wednesdays, and that was the day he found out. I remember coming home that afternoon and Shawn saying “I need to give you a hug”, right before he told me the news.

As we spent the next couple of weeks processing this daunting new reality, I found myself searching for personal stories and experiences from others who had faced this specific diagnosis. I wanted to know how they managed, what strategies they employed, and what support systems helped them along the way. However, I quickly realized that there was a lack of relatable narratives out there.

That’s why I decided to expand this blog. It’s not just about keeping our friends and family updated on all of our travel adventures; it’s about the adventure of life itself. I believe that personal stories can be incredibly powerful, and I want to contribute ours to help others who may be on a similar journey.

Thank you for joining us in this next chapter.

With love,
KC