Claudette

Compostc, we really ARE lucky! Don't get me wrong, I am not always positive. Since my SAH, my mobility has declined which has led to my arthritis worsening. My memory is still poor, I am still sensitive to noise and movement, and I experience fatigue and processing difficulties, amongst other things. I'm a different person to the person I was pre-SAH, and I've lost a few friends along the way - people who just didn't want to deal with someone who has a brain injury. But...I now know who my real friends are, and I now know what is important to me. Sitting in my humble garden gives me more pleasure than I would ever have imagined. And I am grateful for what some people may view as the smallest of things, like someone smiling at me, or showing me random acts of kindness. I'm SO grateful for this support group. I only come here once a year now, but this group supported me in a way that no one else could or did. And of course I'm grateful that I'm still alive - still able to be there for my children and loved ones when they need me. So many people don't survive, but we're still here - maybe only for a year, maybe for another 20 years - who knows!🤷🏽‍♀️ But we're still here.🙂 💕

Good morning everyone! Today is my 7th anniversary of my SAH, caused by two ruptured aneurysms. Things have improved a lot in 7 years; some things remain the same. Some days I feel so unlucky to have 4 aneurysms. (I was told last year that I have 4 aneurysms, not 3, which is what I was originally told, and the neck of one of them is widening. Possible brain op number 3?) But on most days I am filled with gratitude because I have 4 aneurysms and I've survived! So happy anniversary to me!🥳 And happy day to everyone who has been through this awful trauma and lived to tell your tale! EVERY day is our anniversary! Claudette 💕

Thank you everyone for your support and well-wishes. It's so good knowing that there are people out there who can relate to what I'm experiencing and who offer reassurance that this time too shall pass. Thank you.

Dear All It's been a while since I've been on this site, but with my recent news, you were the first people I've turned to. You see, I've just received the results of my angiogram, and it says that they've discovered another aneurysm in my brain, which means I now have 4. I had a subarachnoid haemorrhage in 2015, where two of my three aneurysms ruptured. These were coiled and a decision was made to leave the 1mm unruptured aneurysm alone. In 2019, it was decided to that one of my ruptured aneurysms needed more coils to be added due to the widening of its neck. The angiogram that I was supposed to have 6 months after my operation didn't happen until this year due to covid. And now the results show that I have an additional aneurysm, that is between 0.5mm-1mm in size. This news has knocked me for 6. I just can't believe that I've got another one. I lost my job in July and I'm struggling to find work, but I've been positive and determined to resolve this, and I have been happy, looking forward to the future. But the news of this aneurysm has knocked the wind out of me and I've sunk into depression. I haven't told my children as they've been through so much, what with losing their grandparents, my haemorrhage, and their dad's cancer. But I'm finding it hard to look carefree when my world is falling apart. I'm not looking for advice - I know that I have to wait for my appointment with the consultant to see what suggestions they make. But what I would like to know is how do you all deal with this?

I read this book a couple of years ago in my 1st year of recovery. I found it really useful, especially as at that time i hadnt found this group and i really wanted to hear the experiences of others. But i did find it upsetting at times and a bit hard to follow due to my problems with processing. At around the same time i watched the film 'my beautiful broken brain', of which i related to immensely. Not exactly comparable as it is a film focusing on one persons experiences , but it was good to see.

Thank you. It has been hard - in many ways - but we're getting there. Xxx

That's very true, Broncho. Life really IS too short. So much to do and so little time. My children's dad recently discovered that he has cancer - a malignant tumour on his adenoid. Although we haven't been together for over 7 years, he's still a part of my life and is currently recuperating in my house until after his radiotherapy. We are both grateful for the chance we have been given to live a longer life. Nothing is taken for granted. Xx

Ooh...that sounds good. Will defo try that. The perks of subarachnoid haemorrhages! Lol! Xx

Thank you everyone! I'm a little nervous about flying for the first time post SAH but I'm hoping this will be the first of many. As someone (sorry...bad memory ?) said, "onwards and upwards!" And in my case, literally! Xxx

Happy anni-versary! So sorry to hear about your mum's cancer but happy to hear that music is guiding her through it. Xx

The 21st of august will be the first anni-versary of my SAH. I'm writing about it now as I'll be in Portugal on the day, so hopefully I'll be in the sun and near the sea with a glass of (non-alcoholic) bubbly to celebrate. ? It's hard to believe that a year has gone by - flown by. I still find it hard to believe that I survived two ruptured aneurysms and one unruptured one, and that I've managed to go from being unable to even make a cup of tea to returning to work. But that's exactly what I've done. So on the 21st I'll be raising a glass to all the SAH/stroke survivors out there and applauding the resilience we have to just keep on going. So happy anni-versary to me and to every SAH survivor! Xx

Happy anni-versary! Love that word! It's strange. I don't know you, yet I have tears in my eyes. One word I've never liked is 'survivor' - it always seemed so dramatic. That is, until I had my haemorrhage. Now it has greater significance to me as we are all survivors. I have no doubt that, like me, you have had to fight to get to this stage - to have an understanding and acceptance of your situation. So enjoy your day and raise a glass (preferably filled with bubbly but probably filled with some health inducing liquid) to your many years to come! x

Happy anniversary! And I don't say that glibly. You really do have something to be happy about as you're still here, in spite of the difficulties. Hope all goes well with your results and that you get the opportunity to celebrate. x

Wow! I've put on a ton of weight too! I've always been a chunky girl, but managed to stablise my weight. Directly after my SAH, I lost a bit of weight as I couldn't eat, but after that - especially as I was confined to my bed for some time - I started to gain. I have been watching my diet, and although I'm not brilliant, try to eat healthily, and I go to my local leisure centre (swimming, yoga, pilates, gym...) 4 or 5 times a week, And I STILL gain weight! I didn't realise this was a brain injury thing! So now I know!

Well done, Gilly. I've been all doom and gloom since my SAH, but I too have reached the stage where you want to shake it off and reacquaint yourself with the world. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm getting there. So go out and enjoy yourself! The world really is a beautiful place! x