ann_calgary

Thanks everyone!

I'm doing well. Taking it one day at a time. I still feel some "fullness" in my head. I am able to do more each day then I get so exhausted and fatigued so have to watch that. I appreciate all your well wishes! 

Take care,

Ann

Tomorrow is THE day. Please include me in your prayers, thoughts and send out a successful surgery energy out to the universe for me. 🙂

Take care all of you and will update you when I'm lucid . 😆

Hi David,

I also love playing scrabble! I play Words with Friends on my iphone which is almost exactly the same just handier. 

I agree with Jess ask your GP asap. I'm surprised they have not called you for a follow-up. I am from Canada so I'm unsure how your healthcare works there. 

I had my first SAH December of 2010 which I have fully recovered from but had another one July 2020. I was told it is very uncommon but then again I have another aneurysm that will be clipped this September. I do not want to alarm you though. Unfortunately, this things just happen. 

I do hope you receive answers soon. Stay safe!

Welcome back, David! You are in awesome company 🙂 

Thank you, Dawny. No need to apologize! 

I have mixed emotions which I am sure most of us here have regarding upcoming surgeries. I hate toxic positivity too though lol. Just the right amount I request! 😆

Take care, my ACOM twin! 💗

Hello and warm welcome to BTG!

I echo SuperMario's advice. You are at the early stages of recovery and yes, taking it easy, be kind to yourself and don't hesitate to ask for help are the ways to go. Rest lots and always listen to your body. 

We are always here for you...you've come to the right place. 🙂

Hi Dawny!

I have quietly followed your journey. I'm so happy that everything went well and you are recovering. We have the same Anterior Communicating Artery! I am also fascinated that it can be done through the radial artery. Never heard nor read that before. I agree on how amazing the surgeons and the medical team are. I was supposed to get a stent as well but did not push through. I had mine coiled through the femoral artery as well. My annie is proving as stubborn as me lol. I have clipping scheduled September 13th and I'm hoping that will be the last. 

Take it easy, Dawny. I wish you a complete recovery. 💗

Thank you so much, Tina. This group means so much to me and I am sure to many others. 💗

Dearest DaVinc1,

You have been given helpful advice by very wonderful people. I am glad you found BTG. I don't have much to add except I want you to know as a fellow believer, I will be praying for you. Keep the faith and let His will be done. If I may share a few verses that gives me strength: Deuteronomy 32:4; Proverbs 3:5, 139; Joshua 1:9 and Matthew 6:34.

We are always here for you,

Ann

That's awesome, Jess! Glad to hear. 😊

Thanks, Jess, Subs and Jean. 

For those of you who have clipping done, I understand that everybody is different but how was recovery? Timewise? 

And if you've had coiling and clipping, what are the major differences that you have experienced?

Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone,

It has been an eventful past 2 weeks to say the least. 

My second SAH was in July 17th 2020. It has been very challenging but being off during the peak of the pandemic was a blessing in disguise being a healthcare worker. There were lots of ups and downs but I do enjoy and treasure my time with my now 8 year old boy and my husband. I am grateful for them and to my very supportive family and friends and of course my BTG family. Thank you all!

Fast forward to July 6, 2021, I had a routine MRI and July 9th a Cerebral Angiogram which are usually performed close to the 1 year anniversary. While in recovery after my angio, my Neurosurgeon and his Fellow who performed my angio came to see me. Unfortunately, they saw irregularities in my MRI and the angio also confirmed that. I was still half sedated at this point so this is most of what I can recall.

He said my aneurysm is shifting and proving to be complicated. He recommends clipping it. He explained the risks. My surgery date is September 13th. I asked what should I do or should not do while waiting for my surgery and he said nothing really. I asked the dreaded question of will it rupture and his answer was it's low probability but not zero. 

I thought of all my other questions after he left. I was in shock. My last MRI was in January and it was stable. How did it drastically change? I thought of giving him a call but after the initial shock I thought whatever will be, will be. My first SAH was in 2010. My second in 2020 was so unexpected and unexplainable. I thankfully survived both. I have learned not to ask the whys anymore and just let go.

I am glad they caught it. It is bittersweet news. I go through waves of varying emotions but have to be strong for my boys. This too I will overcome! 💪 

Also, I can't wait to rock my clipping scar. 😊 

Welcome to BTG! I am glad you found us. BTG is such a blessing to all of us and I hope it will be to you as well. 

I agree with Clare, 8 weeks post is very early stage and with Super Mario that you have to take baby steps. They both have given excellent advice. And yes, ask for help. It might also be helpful to seriously talk to your employers. The challenge with our condition is they and even us cannot see our brains. An MRI may show that it is stable but that is not indicative that it has completely healed and that you are back to normal. Your Doctor, Nurse Specialist or a Social Worker may be able to help you send this message clearer to your employers. 

If I may add, be kind to yourself. It's ok to have bad days and embrace the good days. 

We are always here for you. 

Take care,

Ann

Congratulations, Michelle!!! 

Thank you for sharing so openly. I felt your heart in what you wrote and I am happy that you had a very special day. I wish you continued strength, good health and only the best. 

💗 Take care always!

Hi Shazza,

Yes, it is quite normal. Have you gone back full hours? A gradual return to work is advisable to build up your stamina and to test the waters so to speak. I hope that it is something you can arrange and feasible with your line of work. You can also ask your Doctor to back you up with this. Pace yourself and it's very important not to overwork yourself. 

Best of luck,

Ann

Congratulations, Jean! Lots of exciting things going on with you and your family. And volunteering at the zoo...that's a dream! Enjoy and I wish you the best days ahead. 😊

Welcome Ilse! What a wonderful picture. Thank you for sharing and for being so open about your experience. Perspective really do makes coping a bit easier. I admire your attitude towards it all. 

On 24/03/2021 at 16:48, Ilse said:

Like Chumbawamba sang, way better than me: I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’ll never keep me down.

 I love this...keep it up! 

😊 Ann

Hi again Shazza,

I'm glad to hear you will be off work again. Take that time to really relax and rest. 
I feel you about wine. We are the same! Haha. I would wait a while longer though. Wine and meds assuming you are taking some is not a good mix. The after effects is not worth it and I am speaking from experience. 😆

Hi Shazza,

Welcome to BTG! 

Everything you are feeling is normal part of your recovery. It can be a long, slow, up and down journey. Everybody is different. I can only speak from my experience. My SAH was in July 2020. I have significantly improved since then but I still get the headaches. Fatigue is also a factor in my everyday life. I take frequent rests and try to breakdown tasks so it does not overwhelm me. 

Take it easy and listen to your body. We cannot really set a timeframe for our recovery. We always say here, be kind to yourself. I do hope you can find someone to help you with everyday tasks. For moral support, you can always count on us here. BTG is such a lovely, supportive group.

Take care,

Ann

You are welcome. As I’ve mentioned in our conversation, thank you for all the work that you do! You and the rest of the volunteer staff do so much for all of us who relies on the support and wisdom this site offers. You are all amazing! 

Hello everyone,

I did not get much sleep last night knowing today, a year ago my aneurysm ruptured while I was out shoveling our sidewalk. (It was just a light dusting mind you. I was not exerting any effort at all. Friends seems traumatized and hated shoveling after that! Which I believe living in Calgary they already did prior to my annie ) It seems surreal and I honestly do not know what to feel. I have mixed emotions over the past year. It was not easy for sure but I have somehow managed to "fully recover." I still have my days where I just want to sleep the whole day and wish I could turn off my brain.

I had a CT and MRI done last Thursday. Thankfully, coil is intact and they did not find anything abnormal. My newest scans did show tiny specs of brain tissue damage in different parts of my brain. There were 3 to be exact. My neuro said it is so tiny and I should not worry about it.

How can I not worry about it though? I know only you guys can empathize. There's one thing I know I feel for sure and that is gratitude towards all of you who selflessly contribute to this site. Thank you for your dedication and for all the support and kindness.

Lastly, for those who recently experienced this traumatic event and those who continue to struggle with it...be strong. If I may share this quote from Carlos Castaneda:"The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." You are definitely at the right site and the best company.

Advance Merry Christmas and all the best in 2012 to you all. I wish all of you healing in the new year.

Hi All,

Sandi, I know it's been awhile but we did talk a bit about return to work. I did go back July 25. I started with 3 hours 3x a week and did that for 2 weeks. The 3rd week though they expected me to be at work for 4 hours everyday. Quite a big jump! It was the insurance company and work that "organized" this gradual back to work program. I was exhausted and had to call in sick a few times. I went back to my GP and told him that I don't mind the hours but I need a day in between to rest. We agreed to 5 hours 3x a week. Of course, the insurance company and work could not refuse. I did that for 2 weeks. It was manageable but I was dead when I got home and is not functional the next day.

They expected me to work from 6 hours 3x a week to 7 hours 4x a week then finally come September 26 they expect me to work full time. I said that seems unrealistic. The insurance company said my work could (I say wouldn't) not accommodate an extension. I was given 2 options. One is to continue with the program and work full time as scheduled or two, to undergo a Work Conditioning Program for 6 weeks. Of course I went option 2. It has been great so far. I have a team which includes a Physiotherapist, Kinesiologist and Psychologist (an OT is also part of the team but they don't have one right now).

I do cardio, strengthening exercises, work simulation and stress management classes, etc. The physio treats me as needed for my neck and shoulder pains. Otherwise, I love it! It feels great to be in shape. I do that 4 hours everyday and everybody there is so supportive and understanding. Sandi, ask them if this could be an option for you.

The only catch is that I have to go back to work full time after the program which is October 17th no questions asked. The team suggested a gradual return was best but insurance said it was not possible. Anyways, I am done with insurance companies. They did not think I am or was sick enough! Well, I do feel so much better now. I still suffer from headaches and cannot live without my painkillers (I tried to no avail!). Fatigue is not as often.

I am a bit anxious going back full time but figured I might as well try it. I do love my job and most people I work with are great and very understanding. I am celebrating my 32nd birthday on the 16th and realized that life must go on. I was given the incredible gift of a second life...might as well start living it.

Best of luck to all of you! Stay strong!

Hi Sicknote,

I am so sorry you have to go through this. I have been in the same situation where you are right now. Thankfully, after 2 agonizing months my claim was approved. I have a very supportive GP and physiotherapist and I think that really helped my cause.

My GP was asked to send all consult reports, chart notes, medical tests, CT's and MRI scans I have had. We sent everything and more. I guess after seeing the finding in my CT that states: "extensive SAH and mild hydrocephalus" that sufficed. In addition, I was seeing my GP every 2 weeks as stated in the reports. My case manager "interviewed" me twice. The first was terrible as I wrote on a previous entry. I felt belittled and I badly wanted to phone him back. My husband being my sound of reason reminded me that it was the case manager's job to do so.

I also recall my case manager saying that my stroke was not like the "common" type and that I do not have any neurological defects. I believe I told him to look up SAH because although it is not the common type it is as severe and as devastating as any stroke.

Hang in there and like Sandi said do not ever give up!!! I will be thinking and praying for you. Be strong!

Thanks for sharing, Vivien! You look amazing just the way you are. I had a rough night and I wish I could sleep more but your picture moved me to HAPPY tears. Thanks again and stay strong!

Then I found this site and it has helped me heaps this week, reading through bits and pieces when I can and realising I am not alone, unique or abnormal....we're all different.

I love this, Kate! It is true that we are all different and yet we share a LOT as a group. I am also very thankful for BTG.

In your own time, on your own terms.

Sue, most of your challenges are exactly like mine except the reading part. I am 6 months post and I started reading again last month. I find 10 pages at a time is my limit. I am sure eventually we can all do more.