SarahLou

That's a lovely idea Anne. I was thinking of maybe having a 'me' day next year. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi Theresa, Wishing you lots of luck for tomorrow. I had clipping following my SAH in August last year. I was in hdu for a week but don't really remember much, I have a few hazy memories which I'm not sure are mine or gaps my family and friends have filled in for me. Then I was on a neuro ward for just under a week before being sent home. Everything in those early days was such a struggle, the easiest of tasks would make me exhausted. You will get there, just take things slow and gentle. It would be lovely if your hubby can keep us informed when he can. Again, good luck. Your'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Well done Sandi, I bet you're so pleased you could do a lil dance around the room!! Go on.. Do that dance! You should be very very proud of yourself, you seem to be able to judge your limits well now. Again, well done. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi Kate, Yes, I celebrated my first anniversary, on the actual date of SAH the three of us had a nice meal (I was home alone when I had my SAH) then on the year anniversary of the date I was 'fixed' I had a BBQ with close family and friends. It was something I wanted to do, celebrate with my nearest and dearest who got me through those darkest times. Every year we have three 'anniversaries', our wedding, hubs transplant (that's nearly 5yrs) and now my SAH. Congratulations that you're nearly at your anniversary, and John, best wishes to you too with yours coming up soon too. Do something that makes you laugh every single day. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi Robert, Good luck for the 23rd. Stay strong. Take care and keep smiling, SarahLou Xx

Hello David, I was wondering how you were getting on. Good to see you back on here. Yes, I too struggle with the heat. It can feel like my head is going to explode, I get dizzy, light headed, feel sick etc. I can't even cope with having baths anymore, I stick with cool showers. But boy what I wouldn't give for a long relaxing soak in a deep bubble bath, I miss that. I also have the flip side of when it's cold, if I don't wear a hat the whole of the left side of my head feels like it's being stabbed with lots of little knives. But hey ho, I'm still here, kicking. It often feels like it's one step forward and two back but I know I've come far compared with this time last year. Take care and keep smiling, SarahLou Xx

Many congratulations on your 12th anniversary Louise. I know this time of year is hard for you but I hope that you do something to celebrate, make a toast to your life and to your Ma and Pa. You're an inspiration to us all. Take care, SarahLou Xx

I've just read the article, maybe a comment should be submitted to them, let your thoughts be known. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi Shirls, Welcome to BTG. Wow, you've done so much in the short time since your SAH. This site has been a godsend to me, a wealth of support, advice and good friendships. Have had some good giggles along the way which helps brighten the road to recovery. As Gill suggested, reading 'a letter from your brain' is the best bit of advice I can give, I still go back and read it a lot now, it grounds me and reminds me not to be so tough on myself when I'm feeling a bit low. You seem to be doing brilliantly with your recovery, be kind to yourself and rest when you need to. And drink plenty of water, it really does help with the headaches. I wish you well with your recovery. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi Juliette, Great to hear things went well at the doctors. Glad he/she put your mind at rest. I hope you had a good day doing crafts with the kids. Yes, I agree, this site is a total god send. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi Juliette, I don't think it's silly to worry that it'll happen again, I think that's quite a natural thing. I've an MRI booked for 9th nov, at this moment in time I feel oddly void of any emotion about it. That's not like me. Good luck for your docs appointment. Take care and keep smiling, SarahLou Xx

Hi Juliette, Yes, sounds like you've been doing a bit much and now it's all catching up with you. Its now nearly 15mths since my SAH and I still find I totally zonk when I've done too much. I get bad temple pressure, head pains, poor lack of concentration, struggle with the right words, get dizzy, have poor vision etc etc! You must learn to listen to your body, know when you've done enough and rest. It's so easy to want to get 'normal' back but you have to find an acceptance that your'll never be the exact person you once were. I hope that you find that middle ground. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi Jod-Dee, Happy 2nd anniversary, I hope that you're doing something special to celebrate. It's lovely to read you're story and hear that you're doing so well. Best wishes to you. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi John, Happy-almost-2nd anniversary. You've come so far, you should be proud of every step you've taken. Your posts are an inspiration. I hope you do something special for your anniversary, it's a date to celebrate. Best wishes to you. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi David, Yes, one day at a time! You seem to be doing ok with work, yes I agree, it is daunting. And there will be bad days and good, with work life and life in general. I know it's easier said than done but just try to ride through every emotion, they're all normal and a part of recovery/ healing. Monday this week was a better day at work for me, I didn't feel quite so lost and useless. It's hard though, I do get totally zapped out. I'm already wondering and worrying how I'll cope when my hours are increased. I'm really glad the drinking lots of water is helping you, see we said it would! Sorry to hear about your wifes health issues, is there any other family member or friend who can help you with this? Have you talked to your gp? Keep in touch with us here, this site is such a support in so many ways. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Liz, you're an inspirational lady and I shall learn from you. Next year I am going to set myself a goal. I need something to aim for and reading your post has given me some much needed positive attitude. Thank you. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi Ryan, It's so great to hear you're doing so well. Like Sandi, my acceptance does come and go a bit, since I've found out after starting my phased return to work last week. I'll get there, I know that, just in my own time. I still have very patchy memory of my SAH, there's so much I don't remember. Other memories are hazy, it's like I don't know if they are actually my memories or what people have told me when I'm trying to fill in the gaps. You're doing brilliantly and I hope those good days continue. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Aww Sandi, I know how difficult that information would have been to hear for you. At least you now have professional results you can give to the people around you. You are doing brilliantly and you will get there, just not right now. Take credit where credit is due dear Sandi. Take care, SL Xx

Done too! Have to agree Gary, reminded me of things too. As you say good or bad? I don't know either. Really hope the research helps raise awareness and understanding. SL Xx

Lynne, I admire your strength, you are a fantastic woman and an inspiration to us all. I wish you the best of luck with lifes new journeys. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi Lynette, Welcome to BTG. I also think you should see your gp if you're concerned about any changes. Or do you have a neuro nurse specialist you can talk to? I was often in touch with mine over the first few months. Are you maybe doing too much, not resting properly? I went through so many changes during my recovery, still am. It took a good year for things to settle really. I still hit a wall of fatigue when I do too much, have problems with speech too. It's all about accepting the new you. Your'll find lots of advice and support on this site, make good friendships and have lots of giggles along the way too. I wish you well with your recovery. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hi David, As others have said it really is something you need to discuss with your gp. Liz is right in everything she says, like her I also get bad head pains when I've done too much and am not listening to my body. My SAH was 14mths ago, I had clipping and then lumber puncture and fluid removed about a week later. I'm also still really sensitive to light. I suffered badly with head pains for a long time, they struggled to find me pain killers because I am limited on what I can take as I only have one kidney. From hospital I was given dihdydrocodine 30mg, good but made me very sick so needed anti sickness meds with them, because of the sickness I didn't take them unless I really had to. I mainly stuck with taking limited paramol when pains were really bad and paracetamol the rest of the time. It's only after the first yr that I could go a few days without pain killers. Drinking plenty of water really does help, I still drink 3 litres a day. I hope that you get your pain relief under control soon, it'll make so much difference to your recovery. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hello Cas, Welcome to BTG. Wow, you've been through so much going through this 20yrs ago and now you've this to deal with too. It's so hard to play the waiting game, I know exactly how you feel. I wish there was some advice I could give you but nothing I can say will take away your worries. Knowing there are people here that go through the same does really help though. You are not alone and this site is such a fantastic place for support , advice, friendships and lots of laughter along the way. The journey to recovery for me has at times been a very lonely place, BTG has been a god send to me. As others have said maybe Headway will be good for you, alot of people benefit from counselling too. As you say 'you are a survivor'. It's ok to be scared, angry etc etc, these are normal emotions and my best advice is to just ride with them. Cry if you want to. We're all here to listen to any rants you want to have! Take care, SarahLou Xx

Hello David, Welcome to BTG. You are doing so well so soon after your SAH, but maybe too much too soon?? My SAH was 14mths ago, I also suffered all the time with head pains and temple pressure. It has got better over time but I still get them. Now as I type this even. It is alot worse when tired or stressed. For me the biggest step was when I accepted that I'm not and will never be the person I was before my SAH, it's all about acceptance of who you are now. I can totally understand your concerns for getting back to work, maybe you could do less days to start with? Have rest days in between. I myself have started my phased return to work this week,I'll be doing half days Mondays and Thursdays for a few weeks,see how it goes from there. Don't push yourself too hard, you don't want to end up going backwards in your recovery. Drink plenty of water, it really does help. I know it's really hard but please remember your health and wellbeing comes before money and work. Well, I believe it does / should! I wish you well with your recovery. Take care, SarahLou Xx

Good luck with your increased work hours Sandi, you're doing so well. If I can do half as well as you're managing then I'll be happy. Remember to take those breaks though. Well done with the way you are coping and dealing with things, you should be very proud of yourself. Take care, SL Xx