Another Story

Hi! I am so glad you are all here. I've read through so many stories and my heart is touched, as I too, suffered a SAH after a ruptured brain aneurysm followed by a silent stroke after the coiling procedure! Yes, I am thankful to be alive and have had no major neurological defecits.

My story is much like all of yours. I've been a masssage therapist for 15 years and for the last 10, have worked in a clinic where we treat people who've been in auto accidents. On Jan. 27, 2010, I went to work as usual. I was feeling fine for the most part. Around 10:30 am, I started feeling a little funny and thought maybe I needed to eat something, as I hadn't had breakfast yet. So I ate 1/2 my sandwich and continued with work.

As I was massaging my patient, I began to feel a bit disoriented and my vision seemed out of focus. I kept massaging, telling myself the feeling would pass. The feeling continued and things quickly went down hill from there. I could hear a whooshing sound in my head and then a loud pop, like an explosion of sorts. As the "pop" occurred, I felt as if someone had cracked a bat across the back of my head. I was still massaging the patient, wild thoughts going through my head and trying to maintain control of myself! I knew something was very wrong.

Suddenly, the muscles in my neck and back seized up, paralysing me for a few seconds. I told the patient we were finished and left the room. I took the chart up to the front desk (not sure how I got there) and told the office manager I was sick and going to the bathroom and I would leave the door unlocked in case something happened! I made it to the bathroom where I became violently ill. I could hear my co-workers outside the door, asking me questions. I came out and they helped me to the break room, still asking me questions. I could hear them talking, but didn't know what they were saying!

I told them I was not trying to be mean, but could they please shut up! I then stumbled to our laundry room and began vomiting into the wash tub. Another explosion inside my head... I yelled out as I felt my self going down. My co-worker helped me to the floor as I continued to be sick. I heard them say the ambulance was on its way. I heard the sirens and seemed to be in and out of consciousness. I was taken to the nearest hospital, scans done and told I had a brain bleed and would be taken to another hospital where a neurosurgeon would see me. A nurse asked me if there was anyone she should call. I gave her my cel phone and my daughter's name. I heard them say my condition was very grave. I struggled to maintain control of the thoughts in my head and to stay awake.

To shorten this already long story, I was in intensive care for 9 days and moved to a regular ward for 2 more. My 24 yr.old daughter stayed by my side at the hospital 24/7 and was amazing.

I was home for a month and then went back to work - a little at a time. I am no longer doing massage, as it proved to be too demanding physically. I am now doing administrative work for same clinic. I am so very thankful to my co-workers who have helped me along the way and continue to be so supportive to me.

This year has been like a roller coaster ride that doesn't seem to stop! I have good days and bad. Currently, I'm an emotional wreck - cry often, feel angry and sad and then guilty for feeling angry and sad! I know these things are normal considering the situation. I'm in the process of finding a therapist and know there's light at the end of the tunnel. My neurologist is working with me to find the right medications and keeps telling me I'm doing remarkably well.

I do have a wonderful family and friends that are here for me and they keep me going! Thank you all for this site, it's been helpful to know I'm not alone in this!