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Posts posted by subzero
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Well done Tina 16 years on.
As you say those years fly past so quickly
Thank you so much for your support on BTG over the years with your friendly help and encouragement.
Probably you don't remember too much about that unwanted intrusion on your Christmas plans all these years ago. 😊
Have a good one this year.
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Hello Colleen and also well done 15 years on. 😊
Yes, time does have that effect given the highs and lows of coming to terms with life and 'recovery' post SAH.
Take care and thanks too for your involvement with BTG.
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Hello Louise and well done 24 years on. You and Ronnie have so much to be proud of as you've both negotiated so many years of recovery.
You are right, it is very much a joint effort to live through the highs and lows of these early years and beyond. Coping and adjusting to the changes SAH has forced on you takes courage, determination and sensitivity beyond your wildest dreams.
Patience and relationships are often stretched to breaking point.
So glad you were there too for Ronnie.
Puting together your post (so well written) shows your amazing recovering when you consider the difficulties you faced posting in those early days as a BTG member. Over the years your input, advice and support to others have been such a valued part of what the BTG community is all about.
Thank you for your frankness and keep on keeping on. 😊
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Hello Jess and a big WELL DONE twenty one years on.
Thanks for sharing.
So many challenges during that time and you are an inspiration to others with your determination to fight for your health and for your special family unit.
Great to see how well your lads have supported you as they too have faced their challenges of growing up into 'young men'.
Your are right to be so proud of them.
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Hello Karin.... worth having a second read of Clare's comment.
You suffered from brain trauma in December, and had it been most other medical issues you might well expect a high degree of recovery.
This is very different .... your brain doesn't follow these principals.
You want everything to return to what it was pre bleed, however your brain has been damaged and may never recover fully....
Since your bleed, it has been carrying out alternative routes in its mind blowingly complicated work processes and your desire to be normal again may well put it under so much strain .... resulting in how you are now feeling.
Clare suggests that being pragmatic and willing to accept that letting your brain somehow reroute.... in the knowledge that by doing so, tough but practical decisions will be required on your part.... Well maybe, just maybe that will require life and work balances having to be re-evaluated
Worth Contemplating.
Many members of BTG have faced similar issues with varied outcomes depending on the decisions they made.
It's perfectly natural to have that desire for life as it was.... it's courageous to acknowledge that change may be the best 'policy'.
🤔 🤔
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PS Re. Computer screens ...
Mrs Subs also mentioned that a colleague at work had his screen changed so that the background was black and the writing white ... interesting!
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Hi Karin and thanks for sharing.
Mrs Subs working day involved much time spent in front of her PC screens. While she did not experience headaches, she was able to get her work to provide much larger screens which eased her viewing.
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Hi Iola, also well done 10 years on.
Congratulations ... a big milestone.
Thanks for your post.
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SM a big WELL DONE nineteen years on...many thanks for all your valuable input to BTG viewers along the way.
We'll look forward to a virtual party this time next year. 😊
So much happening in recent years with weddings, Kizzy joining the family and sadly your husband's unexpected passing.
Glad your love of the Eastern climes has not diminished .... and after all, 'Turkey' was never meant to be just for Christmas Day! 😁
Enjoy a wee celebration 'tittle' tonight. 😊
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Hello Dave and thanks for keeping in touch with us about your progress.
Great to learn that your intense headaches have resided considerably. Your post suggests that you are willing to listen to what your brain and body are telling you and taking that 'longer term' view to recovery.
Well done so far and you will not regret that important decision.
MarkH clearly supports this from his own experience too.
Many of our members have found that their GP simply does not have sufficient regular experience of NASAH patients to give adequate advice on recovery, and maintain contact with their original consultants.
As far as returning behind the 'wheel' is concerned, our section on Driving Post SAH has copious information on this subject. It has always been important that post bleed the DVLA is advised and prior to driving again their confirmation is sought.
Well done so far in these early days and given time you may be able to return to your running and more strenuous activities.
Look after No 1 and you won't regret it.
Also great to hear that your family are right behind you with their support 😊
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Hello Dave and a warm welcome to BTG. So glad you found the site so early after your bleed.
As you will already have read, we do not give medical advice, however the support available in the form of members' posts about their experiences and the fact that you will get a sense that you are not alone as you come to terms with this life threatening trauma you have experienced.
You major on how debilitating these headaches have been for you, and again headaches are one of the consequences of a bleed such as yours. While few survivors can be pain free, a lot of our members have to deal with headaches of varying degrees .... some for weeks...others for months ...and yes chronic headaches are a very real issue.
The following BTG link is also found by using the search facility at the top right of our Homepage.
https://web.behindthegray.net/search/?q=Headaches &quick=1
Simple actions can also reduce headaches such as drinking plenty water, limiting stress and building rest periods into your day especially following any exertions.
You very wisely have decided to take a three month recovery plan and not to let your previous healthy exercising regime influence your thinking. More effort is less progress as a rule.
So again welcome to our site and please introduce your family to it also. It will give them a greater understanding as to how their 'Dave' is feeling as you 'recover' .
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Hello 'OldSteptoe' 😊 and welcome to the unique and exclusive world of BTG SAH and PMNASAH survivors and their families.
We are here for support and do not provide medical advice.
Thankyou for your highly structured insight into your twelve day journey post bleed. We are delighted you discovered the site so quickly, and have already found the personal accounts of some of our members a help in providing an insight into what may be expected, as you come to terms with this very challenging condition.
It is very early days since your bleed, and with such an active, demanding vocation such as yours prior to your recent retirement, not to mention your physical exercising, the most important initial advice that will 'scream' from the various forums on BTG is .... your brain still needs time to heal.
Although as in your case there may not be obvious evidence of damage... many of our members have discovered that as days lead to weeks lead to months, there are quite tough debilitating issues that result in the old 'normal' becoming rather elusive to say the least.
So elementary first steps such as keeping well hydrated, resting often and limiting stresses and physical exercise .... these give you and your brain a fighting chance in your recovery journey.
So we look forward to your updates from time to time and of course you will find reading the personal accounts of our members such a helpful insight.
Finally I do hope that your final comment is not one that will have to rethink twelve months on.
On 04/12/2022 at 16:35, Steptoe said:While it has been an unpleasant experience, I am very lucky to have had this variant of SAH
Take care and we wish you well as you begin your retirement.
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Hello Pat and thanks for looking in on your 6th year post SAH.
Well done in finding a work balance that you are happy with. Never an easy task given the varied limitations of SAH.
It's great that BTG has played a valuable part in your recovery...especially during the early years, and keep up that positive attitude.😊
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Hello Claudette, thank you for sharing your thoughts on your 7th ani-versary.
It must have been so tough knowing that not only had you a challenging recovery ahead following your SAH seven years ago, but then have to live with the knowledge of these four unruptured aneurysms too.
Glad the medics are watching the widening aneurysm carefully and wish you well as you meet the next challenge of further surgery.
Take care and stay strong.
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Karen, congratulations on an amazing 17 years for you. Goes to prove that good can be the result of such physical and emotional trauma.
A big thank you for somehow finding the courage and determination to set up BTG and more so to keep it on track while dealing with your own highs and lows.
Remarkable lady indeed. 😊
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Also congratulations Andrea on seven years. Great to hear your exploits along the way from the Western Isles, be it the 'seasonal' weather 😊 , the wandering sheep or the warbling birds!
Great to have you around BTG.
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Hello Emmi, and also a very warm welcome to BTG.
It goes without saying that these past three weeks have been the most traumatic and stressful you have ever faced. No-one is really prepared to deal with SAH trauma, and as you have guessed, there is no easy road map ahead.
However this site has over 3,500 members the majority of whom have been forced to remap their lives as they deal with the fallout caused by SAH. Many have kindly shared their progress and experiences and like yourself asked for help to cope. As a Carer you will find their posts greatly help your understanding of the emotional and physical challenges your husband is experiencing.
When you can find the time, please tell us more about the events leading up to, and following your husband's SAH. in the Introduction Forum.
As Skippy has said...there are some guidelines that you will hear voiced again and again.
Don't expect a quick recovery. Each brain bleed is different and the brain is busy trying to re-route. It needs much time and your husband needs to accept that rest is essential. This will help reduce headaches and extreme tiredness.
So unlike many accidents and procedures which may heal within six weeks or so, SAH 'recovery' is a long and difficult road. Challenging for you both at every turn.
Don't try and push the boundaries too quickly. Small steps... and set backs are part of this journey.
Personality and emotional issues are tough to live with and often these can ease considerably over time... with some still seeing improvement after many years. So never give up. 😊
Keeping hydrated seems so simple, but it is so important. Keeping stressful situations to a minimum also helps in these early months.
Skippy also mentioned the need to take care of yourself too. Being a Carer is a challenge that will stretch your own boundaries too as you adjust to living with your partner who needs so much help, TLC, and support.
Initially accepting that he is no longer the person you knew can be very hard. Do remember that time can heal or improve many of these difficult traits.
So, perhaps you can understand why the medics didn't give you handouts, or a step by step road to recovery.
There is no standard way ahead. Your recovery together is a pathway which we hope you record in this site...so that your experiences can help others ...
Take care and do keep coming back with questions and seek help especially through these early demanding months.
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Thoughts are with you today dear friend Winnie.
We miss you so much and will never forget the great times we had as you shared your SAH recovery journey with everyone in your unique style and personality.
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A big 'WELL DONE' Jean.
You've faced all these challenges head on, and it's great to hear you so positive and happy five years on.
Thanks too for all your support and updates which you do so faithfully. 😊
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Congratulations Daffodil and many thanks for sharing your ten year journey with us on BTG.
You have been a great inspiration for so many of us as we too have faced out our individual struggles with this life threatening and life changing trauma. Thank you.
I am sure your two grown up girls are so very proud of you..not to mention the corgis and whippet in your life.
And keep up finding your way to balance on that waterboards...such a great wat to get focused and feel a sense of achievement. 😊
I hope you don't mind me sharing a poem I wrote for one of your girls many years ago ....
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MUM AND ME
I am very proud of my mum
When I grow up, like her I want to be
I have found she has special qualities
Which all mean the world to me
When you see her she looks just fine
But I know she has been through a lot
On 8th March 2012
I found out how much grit she has got
You see, mum`s brain had a bleed
I did not understand what it meant
I was very young at the time
But an angel to save her was sent
When she came home from the hospital
Our little family was then under strain
Our mum needed time to recover
If she was ever to be `MUM` again
But we knew that our mum was a fighter
She would not let this bleed rule her life
And our dad, though he was hard pressed
Was determined to stand by his wife.
At first mum`s personality was different
Often she did not make sense
Her body was weak and unbalanced
But her will to get better immense
There were times she was rather impatient
She was not quite the mum that we knew
But my sister, my dad and me
Were determined to do all we could do.
Looking back, we have been on a journey
Mum often gets tired but she`s fine
She has showed us that life`s what you make it
I am so proud I can say `Mum you are mine` !
So when I leave school and look forward
I have the perfect example I need
My mum has shown me how to face life
She is my mum, my best friend indeed
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Congratulations Kathy as you reach 4 years. Well done, and thankyou for your kind words about BTG and its members.
Each day is a new day with it's challenges to be faced and overcome.
Each day is part of the learning curve survivors and their carers, family and close friends share as the try and understand SAH recovery.
Thanks for getting in touch and stay positive.
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Hello and thanks for your response.
Hopefully other members will give input to your post from their own experiences..
A follow up scan is likely to be carried out within the first year of coiling when the instance of a change in the size of the aneurysm neck may become apparent and a decision made on whether further treatment is necessary. Further scans to monitor will be considered by the consultant.
The extra growth is also termed a "remnant' although the occurrence on coiled aneurysms is small.
The clipped aneurysm remnant often occurred when essential checks during the clipping procedure may not have been carried out.
What was the decision on your own scan?
I should also add that the 'neck' relates to where the blood vessel weakened and resulted in the aneurysm forming.
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Hello, can you clarify for us... was your aneurysm coiled or clipped?
The remnant obviously relates to the clipping procedure outcome.
Thanks
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Well done SM. A remarkable 18 years for you.
Life`s day to day challenges that all of us face don`t pay any respect for an SAH survivor who also has to cope with the many debilitating after effects of SAH.
Thanks for sharing your progress over the years.
It`s a pity that Covid has kept you from your various holidays abroad, and I do hope that you`ll be back searching for these vacation deals soon.
A nice quiet evening with John and Kizzy to reflect .... with a little of Keith`s favourite `lemonade`.
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Hello Sara and a warm welcome to BTG.
So glad to hear of your progress since you experienced your SAH 18 months ago. You will be aware how fortunate you have been to survive the life threatening trauma, and the 40 days in ITU meant so many anxious moments for your fiance and friends.
Fatigue is very common following SAH, and there are many factors which can affect its severity.
For example returning to work.
Many survivors want to return to their employment as soon as possible, when a phased return should seriously be considered.
A demanding pressured job could put strain on your injured brain which may be finding it hard to process information as before.
There are many aspects of working that now result in your fatigue. Multi tasking can become demanding.
Then your family life.
Again are you trying too hard to return to life as it was?
How are you dealing with all the varied household/ family demands on your life?
It is important to recognise that your on going recovery very much depends on how well you build rest into your daily routines. Learn to accept that overloading your brain will result in this fatigue with headaches and exhaustion also common factors too.
This link will help you realise that you certainly are not alone and also make use of the search tab at the top right of the welcome page.
Please take time to tell us more about your recovery so far, and at all times keep well hydrated.
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A decade in
in SAH/Stroke Anniversaries
Posted
Hi Daffodil and thanks for your anniversary post 12 years on.
A tough and challenging recent past for you and delighted to hear you are so positive about the future.
Your two girls will have grown up so much. How are the four legged pooches doing? ? ... and of course 'James' is behaving too no doubt ? 😊
Take care and enjoy these relaxing times paddling on the waterways.
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