Cal

Steve, In reference to your question regarding taking care of your spouse after an SAH. When Jim came home, (which was way too early and without any type of plan in place other than putting him in a wheel chair and pushing it to our car) nothing was given to us other than a prescription to fill. BTG was and still is a huge part of coping with recovery for us. My job thankfully has wonderful caring people. I was able to stay home for a couple of weeks with Jim and then slowly started back to work a few hours a day for a couple of months until I was comfortable enought to leave Jim. You seem extremely lucky that you have the contact in place to help your wife with her recovery. Jim did not receive any physical therapy and has been told that he is weak in his legs because he could only sit for weeks without moving. I am thrilled that you have researched and found help. Do not let anyone tell you NO. Fight with all you have to get the help you need. I am sure it will make a big difference in recovery. Cal XXXX

Hi Steve, My husband Jim also suffered a SAH. His was a non-aneursym SAH. Jim was the same as Loz is. Very confused and scared. I do think it was in part the medication he was on along with the fact that he was truly afraid of what had happened to him as it was a frightening event. I know it can be hard but try to put on a brave face and think positive. I found that talking to Jim about everyday happy things did help somewhat. Time, love and hope will get you both through this. My thoughts, prayers and love are with you both. Cal XXXX

Hi Caroline, Jim also has much less enery now. Before his SAH he was like the energizer bunny, you could not slow him down. His doctor prescribed ritilan which does help. He takes one in the morning and it gets him through the 4 hours he works. His doctor suggested he also take one in the afternoon but then he does not get the rest he needs. I am not sure if this masks the fatigue but it does help him. I think it just takes time and depends on the person. Take care, Cal XXXX

Hi Karen, Jim does not have a problem with going to sleep. He actually has a problem staying awake He does still need a 2 hour nap each day and he goes to bed around 9:30 each night. He is 1 year and 2 months since his SAH. Regarding the dreams, yes he does have very vivid dreams. He has woken me up many times thrashing his arms like he is fighting someone. Love, Cal XXXX

Hi Karen, Jim was 57 when he suffered his SAH. He was a non-aneurysm. Cal XXXX

Congrats Lucie! Do something fun tomorrow. You deserve it! Cal XXXX

Thank you all so much for your support. I am typing a letter today for Jim to take to his GP and also his boss with an extra copy for the woman in HR. We both put a lot of thought into this over the week-end and realize Jim cannot and will not accept this from his boss. He did tell his boss on Friday that he could not do the snow removal and once his again the Uncaring Man gave him a hard time. Jim tried to explain to him that he is the one that is having a hard time with not being able to do the things he once could do. For 8 years Jim did not miss one snow storm at his work. Jim will not back down. He was so mad Friday. I also think his feelings are hurt because his boss is so insensitive. Not once has he asked how Jim is feeling. Wish us luck. We are fighting this. Jim's health is the most important thing. We are so lucky he is here and we are going to make sure he does not have a set back. Thanks again! Cal XXXX

Hi, Hope everyone is well. Jim suffered his SAH December 1, 2007. He is only working half days because he still tires so easily. We live in Boston and there is a lot of snow in the Winter. Jim works at a rehab center and the employees do the snow removal. His boss has been giving him a bit of a hard time since he cannot shovel or do any type of real physical activity as it gives his head pressure. I do the removal at our home so it is not as if he is trying not to do it at work. He is getting so stressed about telling his boss he is unable to do it that I am worrying about him. He does go back to his GP next week and will make sure he gets a note stating he cannot do that type of work and that he still is unable to work full days. It makes me so mad that someone who does not know about suffering a SAH can be so uncaring to Jim's feelings. Maybe his boss should step back a bit and ask Jim how he is feeling instead of asking him how long he is going to be on half days of when he can start back doing things he did before he suffered his SAH. Sorry for being long winded but I am so upset with uncaring people who do not understand how much this can change someone and that Jim did not ask for this to happen to him. Thanks for reading! Cal XXXXX

How sad that the warning signs were completely ignored. Money can never replace a loved one. Hopefully, the medical doctors and staff will read this and someone can be saved from this tragic and unnecessary death by administering the correct tests. Cal

Hi Leo, I am so sorry to hear that you are still feeling so bad. Hope you start feeling better each day. Take care of yourself. Cal XXXX

Congratulations Caroline on going back to work. Please do take it easy though. Your body still need a lot of rest. Cal XXXX

Hi Matthew, My husband Jim also suffered a non-aneurysmal SAH. He suffered his a year ago yesterday. He still tires very easily. Were you still very tired at a year? The doctor has prescribed ritilan for him which he is to take one in the morning and one at noon. He does take the one in the morning and it does help however he does not take the one in the afternoon as he cannot sleep at all. Have you heard of this? So glad you are much better at 21 months. Cal XXXX

Hi Karen, Jim still gets fatigued. He suffered his SAH 12-1-07. 9 days and one year has passed. We did finally get an appointment to see a neurologist. Jim has had an MRI which they said seemed fine but wanted him to also have an MRA so they could use the dye in order to ensure everything seemed fine since he is still very tired all the time. The neurologist gave Jim a prescription for ritilan. Has anyone taken this for their SAH? I thought it was for over active people but was told it is also used for people who have suffered a SAH to stimulate the brain. Thought this was interesting. Jim has also decided to see a councelor per his doctor's thoughts that it might help him with all that has happened in his life this past year. I am so glad he decided to go. Will keep you updated. So happy you are back on the board! Love to you all! Cal XXXX

Hi Laura, I am hoping you are feeling better. I like Simon is the person that loves someone that has suffered a SAH. Jim in some ways is also different. There are many things that he cannot do that came so easy to him prior to his SAH. But we take things as they come and are so happy that we still do have the time to spend together. I love Jim the same way I always have and in some ways even more. Simon and I are so lucky to still have you both. Please try to remember you are still the same person you were before with just a few little differences that would not make anyone love you less. You are a very special, caring person that has helped many people on this web site and I for one am happy that you are here and that you are who you are. Take care Cal XXXX

Hi Donna, Congrats on going back to work! That is a great acheivement!! Take care. Cal XXXX

Hi Lauren, Sounds like you are doing something for YOU! You deserve it! Cal XXXX

Thank you all so much for your responses. Jim feels better knowing this is normal. I have printed out many of the questions and repsonses from this great site and will be taking them with us to his appointment in November. We are also sending copies to his GP who thinks Jim should be so much better at this point in time. This will let them know that the people who have experienced the SAH are the ones who know best. Have a great day! Love, Cal XXXX

Hi, Hope everyone is well. Jim still gets very tired and needs to sleep at least 2 to 3 hours each day. He is back to work for 4 hours each day. He suffered his SAH on December 1, 2007. He was wondering if anyone else still requires that much rest after almost a year. His GP thought it seemed like he should be better by now but my feeling is everyone is different. His GP made an appointment for Jim to have an MRI (which I was very thankful for since this is the first follow up since his discharge) and he will be seeing a neurologist November 14th. Jim's legs also still get very tired easily. As always, thanks for your responses and support. Jim has come a long way since last year and the help and information that you have given us has been so helpful. Cal XXXXX

Hi Karen, Here are my responses. 1) I believe if someone knows first hand the answers to the questions then yes, they should provide support. 2) and 3) I do not actively reply to the Green room forum but I do read it occasionally and have found that it does support the people that use it daily. Everyone seems to be involved in each others lives and that is a great thing. 4) Yes, I totally agree with this. BTG helped me as much as Jim as I am the carer. All the questions I have asked have been answered and hopefully the ones I could repond to helped someone as much as we have been helped. 5) Yes, very very friendly. 6) I have posted in the past and I would post in the future. 7) We would join if we were in the area. I definately feel that you have the right balance. 9) Without your help and the help of everyone on this site I do not know what Jim and I would have done. Sure we would have made it through everything we went through but without knowing what to expect. I believe everyone here was a gift from God for us. Please keep up the good work Karen, you have helped so many people and I am sure will continue to do so. Cal & Jim Many XXXXXXX's

Hi Sharon, Jim was treated the same way. We went for 2 follow ups. One because he was having headaches and then was basically told get on with our lives. If it was not for BTG and ALL the wonderful people on this site we would have been lost. We were not given any type of information and did not know what to expect from day to day. Take care, Cal XXXX

Hi Mutti, Sounds like Jim has the right idea. Cal XXXX

Hi John, I am so happy that you finally got an answer. Take care! Cal XXXX

Hi John, Just checking in to see how you and Barbara are doing? Try to get some rest this week-end. Take Care. Cal XXXX

Hi John, I also agree. It is time to take this unbelievable treatment further. Please do not hesitate to call the paper. YOU are the one who matters. I also would like to let them know how I feel about their lack of compassion for you. Cal XXXX

Hi John, I have been waiting for your post all day. I CANNOT believe the system. I hope when you finally get through to someone you will let them know how unfair this has all been. I will be awaiting your post again tomorrow. Take care! Cal XXXX