KelBel

Hi Saffy Sorry to hear about your dizzy spell. I am not surprised you were scared. Maybe it could have been a build-up of anxiety about the aneursym and coiling due? Hope you are feeling better now Take care Kel x

Hi Jo Glad you had a lovely day with your mum! and that was great that the book turned up in time! Here's to a great 2010 and onwards for you and your family Kel xxx

Hi Momo Sorry to hear you are feeling down, I hope your cat cuddles have helped a little. I hope you manage to get some professional help to deal with your emotions. I had 4 sessions of counselling through work and it did help. I don't have another session booked at the moment as both she and I felt I did not need it again right now; however I can call and book another session if needs be. I get the odd moment of feeling scared/upset/angry etc... but I know now that it is the emotions of a traumatic experience that you work through. As the others have said, please call someone and request some help to get through this. Take care Kel x

Hello 'thepalace1' Thank you for sharing yours and your fathers story. It must have been so very traumatic for all of you, and is a devastating thing to have happened at such a young age (both your fathers and your own age). I feel very lucky to have had not only a low grade bleed and a successful operation but to be coming through the other side now. Like Rod I think it is a lovely thing that you & your family made the decision to donate organs to help others. Best wishes Kel x

Hi Caroline Welcome to the site! I had my SAH in Dec last year, so still recovering. I am just starting to get used to noise again. Every noise seemed to be magnified unbearably when I first came out of hospital. Tv too loud, more than 2 people talking was too much for me, and in the car the radio on and someone talking as well was awful. It is starting to get so much better now. Good luck for your recovery, take it easy, and like the others have said just rest when your body tells you to. Kel x

Jo I hope you and your mum have a wonderful time having beauty treatments! How lovely.x Good luck with Headway and I hope your mum comes round to the idea of talking about what she can remember. Kel x

Hi I gave up smoking 3 years ago and I don't believe I will ever smoke again, and I have felt that way since giving up, so now that I have suffered SAH I cannot imagine smoking again. I can honestly say that I have had very few occassions where I have felt like having a cigarette - literally just to pass some time, not because I have been desperate for one. I cannot stand the smell of it now, and I try to steer clear of being anywhere near smoke or smokers. Although I have friends who smoke, I have to try to stay away when they do smoke. I read the book 'The easyway to give up smoking' by Allen Carr. It may not work for everyone but it is worth a try. (It did however take me a year from buying the book to actually building up the courage to read it and try to give up! - but I did actually find it quite easy, most of the time..) I have to agree with DebbieMcKenzie that the individual has to be ready to give up. No amount of scare-mongering or badgering from others will assist in be able to quit. From experience this causes rebellious action. We all know the dangers of smoking yet many still continue to smoke with this knowledge. I know we are told all the time about all the different things that are bad for us, but I do not think it has been said for many years now that smoking could possibly be good for us in any way. It has very much been documented just how bad it is. I was quite shocked to discover just how many chemicals are contained in a cigarette. Maybe you should mention that you are upset and concerned that he continues to smoke after what has happened, and point out that you are not telling him to give up, because that is entirely his choice. He has to take responsibility for himself. It may spark some thought about potentially giving up. Good luck Kel x

Hi Miss Griff Sorry to hear what happened to your mum, and to you; that must have been awful for you to watch it all unfold. If you don't mind me asking...(you do not have to answer if you don't wish to); Have you had any counselling to work through what you experienced? and how to deal with your 'new' mum? I would imagine that would be good. Has your mum had any counselling? Maybe some family therapy also could be an avenue to explore? I had my SAH in Dec last year, so am still in early stages of recovery really, and I have just gone back to work this week - 11 weeks after my coiling op - and it has been tiring, but I think I am pretty much the same person as I was before, as I don't seem to have any serious after-effects other than tiredness (and headaches & neck pain when tired). I too, like Jess, am more inclined to tell someone if they upset me now. Initially I was very angry and emotional but that has got better over the past few weeks (as I am allowed to drive again, have moved back to my flat, am back to work, and back to something approaching 'normal'). I have had 3 sessions with a counsellor and have found that extremely helpful, as I found it helped to have it confirmed/validated that I have suffered trauma and have been suffering with Post-Traumatic-Stress. (I don't think I would have realised this otherwise). And it is okay to feel all the emotions - and this has helped me deal with it more. However I am very much a person who likes to talk things through, and I do believe it is helpful. It is a long time for your mum to have bottled up what happened. I do hope you are able to find support and comfort from this site, and get some answers to questions you may have, or even just some ideas to help or where to go for further help and advice. Take care Kel x

Hi Graham So glad you have found the site, and perhaps in time you can get some help to understand, and learn to cope with the anger you feel, by chatting to the lovely people on here. I am 37 and had my SAH 11th Dec and coiling op 18th Dec last year; so relatively new myself to all these emotions we feel following the event. I have just gone back to work this week, and it hasn't been too bad. A little tiring admittedly, but am not fully back as part of the team doing all tasks, just easing my way back in!... Good luck for your continued recovery and I know you will receive some great support here, Take care Kel x

Hi John I have only short periods of time from my hospital stay that I have not been able to recall...but I know I had 3 boring long days where I had no visitors due to the snow!!... other than that I do recall quite a lot of what happened, altho in some ways that does come back to haunt me a little. I will suddenly remember the feeling of the oxygen mask on my face, and me trying to get it off as I was coming round from the anaesthetic! I was in for just 10 days though. Oh yes! I do recall the daily questions; what day is it? do you know the date? what month are we in? what year is it? who is our monarch?... I agree that a psychologist should be appointed for all survivors, to help make sense of your feelings and assure you that your feelings are not unusual in this kind of traumatic situation. I have seen a counsellor on 3 occassions now and that has been a great help. It is invaluable being able to post a question or have a little rant on this site, knowing that everyone can understand in some way what you are going through or feeling. It is amazing how much it means to have that lifeline, when people around just do not or cannot comprehend what you are going through. Take care Kel x

Hi Bessie, I hope you manage to find some answers soon, if not from Headway then yes call the hospital to get some answers (or even try the Brain & Spine Foundation helpline), as you don't want to go another month with all these questions going round and round in your head. (I know that feeling...and I wish I had called a helpline or the hospital before my follow-up...) As Paul said; do make a list of questions to ask the consultant at the next appointment. Keep a note of all symptoms, however small, and work your way through your questions; and make notes for yourself to look back on. It definitely helped me at my follow-up appointment. Good luck - sending some healing your way, for both you and your mum Kel x

Hi Saffy All the best for tomorrow. I hope you are put at ease and are able to make your decision. I had SAH with an aneurysm of a reasonable size 13mm x 8mm x 7mm - what was initially advised to me as a 1cm aneurysm, so possibly around the same size as yours. Having been through the SAH with initial mis-diagnosis and having the op a week after the bleed (without having to make a decision) I, like others, would not hesitate to coil if another aneurysm was found and was viable for coiling. However, you have to take the advice from the Neurosurgeon and weigh up the pro's and con's for you. Good luck again Kel x

Hi Karen re. 18 gauge microplex framing; I just referred to notes I made on my follow-up 10th Feb - I should look it up too! Kel x

Cheers Poppy! I thought it was odd, but perhaps the machines are more advanced now than the info I have read! Thanks for putting my mind at rest, I didn't want to go for a follow-up to be told I had to go back in the white tunnel again... Kel xx

Welcome back Laanka Glad it all went well for you! take care Kel x

Hi Karen Good luck with the MRa. I was due to have an MRi & MRa last monday, but I had no contrast dye injected for the MRa, and when I asked the nurse she said the machine just does it anyway?...not sure this is true or not? I had read that an MRa required contrast dye... strange. I do not believe I am involved in any studies or trials, however I did apparantly have one 18-gauge microplex framing and 3 hydrocoils put into my aneurysm. Good luck again Kel xx

Hi Diane I sent my completed medical form off to DVLA 15th Jan this year and I phoned last Sat and got through to someone on the DVLA medical team, and they said a letter was in the post to confirm I am okay to drive again. So it took just over a month for them to check my medical records, to satisfy the fact I am ok to drive again. I thought that was pretty quick. I only phoned last Sat to check when I might get any further information, or how soon I would expect to hear something! Kel x

Mike - Congrats on getting the ok to drive!! It definitely makes you feel better when you get your independance back! kel x

Hi Janet and Karen I spoke to the Brain and Spine foundation this morning and she suggested that I do need another week off work; to get my head round moving back to my flat and getting my licence back, and preparing to go back to work. I went to the doctor this evening, and I explained about my return to work meeting and that I am feeling very anxious and stressed, and he has signed me off for another week (and noted on their system that 'patient does not feel ready to return to work'). He didn't really have much to say about the phased return I have been offered. Not much help really. I feel I have been left to just get on with it, and am unsure which way to turn. I will give ACAS a call in the morning and see what they suggest. As much as I do want some normality I feel as though I am expected to do too much too soon. I feel very tearful at the moment. I don't want to keep getting upset as I know this will affect my BP, and cause headache and neck ache (which I already have - particularly a 'hot' headache in the top of my head), but it seems difficult not to get upset at the moment. Hi Mike - I might have to see about getting referred for Occy Health. Do all companies do this?... Kel x

Cheers Liz Ahh, it may be that I am covered then... and I will look up Unite and give them a call. How do you get Occy Health help? Kel x

Morning all, Sorry for the long reply, but wanted to comment on all your posts! (I do hope I have not missed anyone out) Liz – sorry to hear your return to work has been hampered by your bosses; it sounds awful Vivien, Tina, Rod, Blondie, Sami – thanks for your support Mike – thanks, I did send the Brain & Spine Foundation leaflet to my manager within the first 2 weeks of sickness, as I thought it might help both my manager and my colleagues to have an idea what I have been through. I think I need to send it to HR too… Caroline – My work is very analytical and involves a lot of data entry, and any mistakes can cause a loss of money to our business. I am not in a union, and am not aware of one either, so am unsure where to turn really. Liz – thanks for your understanding (and the pm!) Janet – am off to the Dr this afternoon, so will ask him to make a note on my ‘return to work’ note, in regard to phased return Does the Disability Discrimination Act cover SAH? As I have no specific ‘disability’ – I do have fatigue, headaches, neck pain, and anxiety following the whole episode. I also think I do get some residual left side weakness (following vasospasm during the op) as after sitting for some time on a chair or walking a certain distance my left leg does get heavy and achy (DVT was ruled out). Debbie – sorry to hear your boss is being a little harsh also. Thanks for advice about getting letter from doctor; I am going to Dr this afternoon so will ask Louise – yeah 9 till 1 equals 4 hrs as does 1 till 5 so I would also agree that is not a phased return. Phased means to ‘do something in stages’, ‘to plan or arrange something so that it is carried out in stages’ Michelle – yes I was rather confused at the terminology of a ‘phased’ return also! Laura – I will take it easy, and will have a follow-up meeting in 2 weeks to discuss any additional phased return/part-time hours that may be required. Perry - sorry to cause you to steam up! It’s good to know I am not taking things the wrong way and my anger is justified Norma - My company think they have been good paying me full pay for the 1st 9 weeks, half pay for the past 2 weeks, then I will get half pay next week when I do 1/2 my hours, then 75% pay for 75% of my hours the second week! Then I have no sickness entitlement until 14th Dec... when I get my ‘10 days sick in a rolling year’ back again - but I will need time for the 12 month angiogram that will be performed in December again... This is their ‘apparently’ consistent approach to long-term sick, however I now know that another colleague was given 7 months full pay (!!!), then full pay on part-time return (!!!) – Not quite so consistent it would seem… I clearly work for the wrong company, especially when it comes to having something like this! I did expect some more understanding, but am aware that I need to lower my expectations now. Again – many thanks to you all, for your comments, tips and support. Kel x

Thank you all for your messages, support and advice. I thougth it wasn't me being overly-sensitive; it was a little ignorant of them to think they have been so understanding...as that is what they think they have been!?! I am late getting ready this morning, so just a quick post to say thanks, and will post more later Kel x

Hi all I am feeling a bit distressed this afternoon after having my meeting this morning re.returning to work next Monday. I felt HR were very 'by the book' and 'as per policy'. My Dr advised a phased return to work (but didn't state what that should be) and HR advised they can 'offer me' a 2-week phased return; Week 1 = 9 till 1 then Week 2 = 9 till 3, then full time after that, and everything back to normal (really?? I do hope so!!). BUT 9 till 1 they can only pay me 4hrs per day with no break factored in (but if I feel I would need a 15-min break then they would have to factor that in-as they can only pay me the actual hours I can work!) 9 till 3 I will get an hours lunch (and be paid 9 till 3 I think?..). Plus, I will hopefully be able to use a days hol each Friday too for 4 weeks to help ease me back. They need to check with payroll that they can accomodate this on their system. It just all seemed a bit too policy driven for me. After what I have had and the fact I have worked there for 8yrs I would have expected a little more compassion and would have preferred to have been spoken to as a human being and not just a payroll no! It has stressed me out, which is exactly what I do not need right now. Perhaps I am being a little sensitive, but I did tell them that 2 weeks phased return seems quite quick to me. HR wanted to know how long it will take for me to get back to full-time - I felt like saying "how long is a piece of *bleeping* string" !!! How can I possibly know how I will feel when I start to do my job again? Also, the long term sick includes our usual 10-days sick in a rolling year, so I will only get sick pay again as of 14th dec this year... altho they will assess that if it arises (seems a little harsh??) AAaaaarrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhh I need to calm down and chill out. I will have an early night and see how I feel in the morning, and then maybe write a note to them. Is it me? or does this '2-wk phased return without full pay' sound a little harsh? Kel x

Mike, I spoke too soon....just flooded the bathroom floor...eek... Luckily there is no flat underneath mine!!... "sigh of relief" but I am so tired after wringing out all the towels which I threw down to mop up all the water!!... will now have that bath I think Note to self "use mobile phone calendar reminders or alarm to remind me" LOL Kel x

Good morning Aakki! Welcome to the site. I also had an aneurysm-SAH so am not able to help specifically with NASAH (Non-Annie SAH), however I can empathise in some way with the anxiety and unease you are feeling. I am sure the other NASAH survivors on here will get back to you with further advice. It is early days, and lots of rest and fluids will help with your recovery. I suffered quite badly with anxiety following my discharge from hospital on xmas eve last year. I can say now that I am feeling so much better! I was living with my parents and being looked after until yesterday evening - when I moved back to my flat on my own!! (I was not able to get my head round being on my own initially). I also phoned DVLA on saturday and had the good news that I can drive again too! And I am going back to work next Monday. Things are looking good and I am going from strength to strength now, so there is light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck with your continued recovery. Take care - and yes keep warm!! Bbrrrrrr, sounds far too cold for me Kel x