Brain Aneurysm Stories
Your life changing in an instant
Good morning everyone! Thank you for welcoming me to your forum. I am a ruptured brain aneurysm survivor and a lucky one at that. Everything that you all say is so true. One minute I was brushing my grand daughter's hair and the next minute it is a month later, I am being fed through a tube, I can't walk, my bed has an alarm on it, I have diapers on and my head is shaved! I lost a whole month of memory, which everyone tells me is better that way. I was in ICU for a month and only have a memory of nightmares.
My surgery was a clipping and it was on the left side. The incision starts above my left ear runs horizontal to the center of the back of my head and then down the center of my neck. I also have a scar on the top of my head where a VP shunt was placed. My husband says it looks like a giant number 7 and maybe that should be my new lucky number! From what I understand my time in ICU wasn't much of a party! Other than the vasospasms I had a bladder infection, blood infection from central line catheter, double vision, and two blood clots. To tell you the truth the blood clots are a bigger worry than the aneurysm.
I had further surgery to place a screen in my artery to block the blood clot in my leg from traveling, the second one is in my lung. In December I had to go back in the hospital for day surgery to remove the screen, but it was unsuccesful so they had to leave it in which now was another worry for me, although they tell me it is ok that it is imbedded in the wall of the artery and is not going anywhere. (so they say!!)
I am now in my 7th month of recovery and doing well, but it is a very long recovery! They told me it would take a year and I didn't believe them but it is ! I also have rheumatoid arthritis, which I have suffered with for over 30 years, so being in bed for so long was not a good thing. If you don't move around you stiffen up and it makes every move difficult. I have 12 more therapy visits that includes PT, OT and speech.
Residual issues are balance....I am still unsteady, but much better, walking....I still have some double vision....one half of my tongue is paralyzed so my speech sounds like I have a cotton ball in my mouth, especially when I am tired or have to talk any length of time, I also choke all the time on liquids, I have to nap every day.....I only last about 4 hours and any small chore wears me out. I also have a problem with my left arm, I can't raise it laterally, which they tell me is "long thorasic nerve paralysis" but am having an MRI next week to make sure. We have always thought I damaged it when the aneurysm happened, because I fell unconsious on the coffee table. But aside from all of this I am MUCH better than I was in October and most days are better than the last one! I have not become depressed although I am on Zoloft, but I was on three different antidepressants and now am weaned down to only 1/2 tablet. I am anxious to be totally weaned off because it made me gain 20 pounds but I am hoping that I don't show signs of really needing it.
I have such a family support team its incredible. My husband has been absolutely wonderful, there aren't words to explain how I feel about that....it is falling in love all over again after 44 years of marriage! My daughter who is an OT has been beyond wonderful....she is always there for me and we share such a special bond. And my son and daughter-in-law have been just as attentive and of course they are the parents of my wonderful grandchildren who are 9,7 and 3. My 83 yr old parents were also there every day for me which is amazing! My whole time in the hospital and in rehab totaled exactly two months and there wasn't a day that they all weren't there! This was the hardest for me, to know what they all went through...the worry. My daughter used to whisper in my ear every night..."Momma, please don't give up, fight as hard as you can" !
So for the most part I have to say things do get better and better as time goes on but we sure have learned to live each day to the fullest because we all know how your life turns upside down in an absolute instant! I know that I am a walking miracle!
God bless all of you and I hope I haven't bored you with my story!
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Nothing on this website should, in any way be considered medical advice. It is presented as general information only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any type of medical condition. I am not a doctor, nurse, or any other type of medical or health care professional. Nor am I an expert on Aneurysms. However, I am an expert on the experience of having suffered a ruptured Aneurysm and the subsequent treatment I received. This site should not be considered to be, nor is it intended to be, a definitive source of information regarding Aneurysms. I have made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of any information presented here, but again, I am not a medical professional and my own interpretation of this information could be in error.