It's Survivor Series Saturday featuring David Faile

Today we are honored to share with you a survivor story from David Faile.

🫵We want YOU to be the shining star in someone else's life by sharing your story as a patient, survivor or caregiver.

❤️Whether it's Aortic Valve Disease, Aortic Aneurysms or an Aortic Dissection, your ability to validate another person's experience is not only therapeutic but inspiring.

❤️Help us show others how to Thrive and not just Survive♥️

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Two Months Post Surgery!

September 5, 2025

Aortic Hope and my journey

My younger brother went to the hospital emergency room with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It was misdiagnosed and he was discharged. He returned when the pain got worse and was admitted and went into surgery. He survived for seventy days in the hospital ICU.

On my next visit to my PCP, I was told that there could be a family connection and I should ask the cardiologist to order testing. When I told the cardiologist that I needed testing for aortic aneurysms, the response was; “Insurance doesn’t cover that, so we’re not going to do it.” I offered to pay for the testing! On my next visit to the cardiologist, I asked again and received no response!

Having spent more than fifty years as a pilot, including experimental test flying, and the last twenty-five years as a pilot on Search And Rescue (SAR) police helicopters, I was well trained in making critical and life saving decisions. I made another life saving decision and called the cardiologist’s office and asked for an appointment with a different cardiologist! With my next cardiology appointment scheduled for six months, I had to insist on the next available appointment!

After that appointment and a scan, I received a call from the cardiologist’s office asking me to come in the next morning! I had a Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA)! Not so large that I was on my way to the hospital, but large enough to require frequent scans which showed a steady increase in size!

Then there was a scan that was 48 MM, and, identified a penetrating ulcer inside the TAA! A referral to the Yale School of Medicine, Center For Advanced Thoracic Aortic Disease, and I was starting a journey that dramatically changed my life.

Because of the TAA location, my aortic valve would have to be replaced with the TAA repair. 

I continued to exercise, carefully, right up to the day before surgery on August 16, 

2023.

After a hospital stay that had to be extended, I was home two days before my birthday. The next couple of months were spent gaining strength by multiple walks each day and working with a physical therapist three times a week. After two months a visit with the surgeon, and he said I no longer had to ride in the back seat of the car. He said I could drive and I asked if I could go to the gym? The answer was “yes” but take it slow and no weights! My first outing was to the gym where they were surprised to see me! I rode the recumbent stationary bicycle for five minutes and called it a day. Each day after that, I added one minute to my bicycle ride.

A few setbacks, including mitral valve regurgitation, palpitations, and now the beginning of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Still going to the gym every day, and exercising at home.

Connecting with Aortic Hope makes life better. A caring group who provides meaningful information and connections.

#survivorseries