Update on Tom

Great news from the surgeon today!

Tom's abdominal aortic aneurism is small enough that the surgeon doesn't want to operate. It's a 5, and they typically wouldn't operate until it's a 5-1/2. He said these AAAs are really common, it took a lot of years for Tom's to grow as big as it is, and it will take a long time for it to get any bigger.

They'll do another CT scan for peace of mind in four months. In the meantime, Tom is to resume his normal activities, monitor his blood pressure, and avoid lifting anything over 80 pounds.

For the eventual treatment, they are looking at a new surgical method that's being studied in England. It involves going in through the groin to put in some fancy new stent. The surgeon says if Tom is too worried about it, they can do the regular (invasive) surgery through the stomach, but Doc strongly recommends waiting for the new procedure to be approved.

Anyway, all is well just like we knew it would be. Hurray!