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It is our privilege to share the inspiring story of Ellen Burts.

Type A Aortic Dissection Story

- Feb. 2026

Ellen Marie Jackson- Burts

Age 65

To celebrate my 65th birthday I planned a special retreat in Asheville, NC. The place, SoHum  Mountain Healing Resort, where I would enjoy Ayurvedic treatments, meditation, yoga, vegan cuisine and special care for 7 days.

I was booked to arrive February 1, 2026.  Prior to my arriving, Asheville was experiencing a snow storm that had moved out but left the mountain and town with a bit of snowfall. Although I had planned to make the drive from Georgia on my own, my family and specifically my son, Ryan insisted that he and his fiancé, Amanda drive me up. Partly because his vehicle was better suited and he was familiar with driving in those conditions after many visits out to Colorado.  I said I’d be fine but finally gave in if it would help them all (including my husband, Kenny) feel better.

So off we go, all packed and three days of a kitchari fast already done.

I was feeling good and excited! Ryan dropped me off at a hotel in Asheville where guests were staying due to snow on the mountain that was expected to be cleared within a few days. Our activities would continue locally until that time.

I met a representative and a few of the guests in the lobby where we had our evening kitchari dinner, mingled a bit and then dismissed to go to our rooms and get rest before the morning activities.

I went to my room and began getting a few things unpacked to take a shower and get to bed.

The last moments I remember was seeing the tile in the shower. I didn’t pass out but I had some kind of amnesia.

After that I was told by Kenny that I had taken my phone to the bed and (didn’t even get dressed ) called him and was telling him I didn’t feel well. I was nauseous and having back pain. He thought we had lost connection because I was saying, “Kenny can you hear me?). Not sure if he kept me on the line but he immediately called Ryan who was staying about 5 minutes away in another hotel as he and Amanda were planning to drive home the next morning. He told him that your mom’s in trouble and you need to go check on her. They came to where I was staying and had to get the hotel manager to open the door as I had expressed that I was unable to get up.

They got in and 911 came to take me to the hospital that was about 5 minutes away. My son and Amanda had to dress me as I never got dressed.

A lot of the story can be told by Ryan during the interview as I may leave some things out and he has agreed to take part.

From what I remember being told is that at the hospital that at first they thought I might have food poisoning.  They ran labs and of course trying to figure it out. At some point someone did recommend  a CT Scan. Of course that’s when they knew! Type A Aortic dissection, no doubt. Cardiac team called in at 2:00am ( February 2) including the surgeon, Thomas Gleason who specializes in aortic dissections! My lucky day!

About 7 hours later my surgery was done!  According to the doctor reports all went well and no complications.

Waking up in the ICU and a nurse was there talking to me as I realized all that transpired. My husband, and my other son, Travis arrived later that day along with all our pups as Ryan and Amanda booked a place for them all to stay for the week.

Grateful for all the care I received at Mission Hospital! I was discharged from the hospital on February 8th. The same day I was to end my retreat!  I was glad I had bought travel insurance as I was able to get reimbursed. When I booked this trip, I had told my husband I wanted to go for healing.  Little did I know what kind of healing I was going to get.

When I got home the only real complication I had was that my blood pressure dropped too low and I had a visit to the ER. They weren’t very up to date on what I had gone through but thankfully I wasn’t there very long and got to go home. It’s my understanding after dissection the blood pressure is over corrected at first.

The first few months my brain was so scrambled. It wasn’t like memory loss but jumbled and foggy thinking. It was the scariest part for me. Pain was bad and sleeping was difficult. Starting walking within a week or so in the house and then outside on our property. Another big issue for me was the beta blocker that made me dizzy. I put off driving even after I was cleared until my brain adjusted. We traveled back to Asheville 2 weeks after hospital discharge to get official discharge from surgeon. I’m scheduled for 5 month follow up with thoracic surgeon at Emory in Atlanta. Dr. Gleason recommended I see him as he said he trained him.

Other symptoms and concerns during recovery were:

Vision issues, out of no where it was like my eyes were crossing and my vision was distorted. Scary and alarming. When I asked the nurse about it she said that was a normal due to the occipital nerve. She said to follow up with eye doctor anyway. I have appointment for annual check but that problem has mostly resolved itself. Another reason I hesitated to drive sooner.

Weird pains. Like sudden pain in arm or hand that would go away as quick as it appeared.

Teeth pain that came and went too. Hormonal imbalances.

Extreme fatigue. This one I would expect after such an invasive surgery.

When I read the doctors reports which I really couldn’t understand much as a lot of it was medical jargon. I saw that the blood vessels couldn’t be repaired and went down to the illiac. I’ll be eager to talk to the referred surgeon and ask questions and know more in July. Don’t know what the road ahead looks like.

What did I know prior to this? About a year before I had a scan for routine check for a calcium score. On the portal I was informed, looks great with a zero score. A few days later I got message that they actual saw that my aorta was enlarged a bit to a 4.2. After follow up with cardiac doctor she said that wasn’t too large but that we would watch it and they didn’t expect much to happen. My blood pressure was good. My cholesterol was slightly elevated but I elected not to go on a statin as my diet was good and was very fit and active.

So no treatment needed. I went to see them again after coming home and they were shocked that I had an AD.

Emotions were definitely a challenge. Still trying to make sense of it all. At this time I’m grateful it happened this way. So far anyway. I’m working on slowing down in a healthy way and think about what can I learn from this. I believe everything happens for a reason. I’m determined to find out.

I did have a biological valve replacement. I asked Dr. Gleason why he chose that kind and all he said was it was the best one for me. I’m good with his decision as I didn’t want to take blood thinners. May have to have replacement as I know they don’t last as long.

I also have a pacemaker now. Kind of a shocker, but I’m getting use to it and the scars are healing nicely. Lots of silicone tape and coconut oil. Just over 3 months out now and I’m 1/2 way through rehab and have come a long way. Walking my dog, Mogli almost daily. All the muscle loss I had is coming back slowly. I know I won’t be the same but I hope to be at least at 80%. Maybe that’s just the physical and the mental will be the best benefit.

I’m so very grateful to have found Aortic Hope’s channel as all the information and especially the Survivor stories have been a Godsend while I’ve been going through my recovery! They really are amazing.