Jules

Thought I would share the good news I got a 10 year license through the post last week ✨ . So it was well worth the stress , thank you for all your support x

My friend went and found it very insightful as well as upsetting obviously. The set up was four hospital beds, your put an eye mask in and it was an auditory experience. It took you through the whole hospital experience. She said she was glad she went and it had really helped her understand. It has also helped neuro surgeons and nurses here.

Winnie you will be glad to know I kept my speed under control xx

Thank you for all your support . I passed thank goodness and will get another medical license which can be up to 3 years. The guy at the disability centre was lovely and advised it was because of my memory and concentration issues. It is such a relief xx

Thank you so much Win and Super Mario. I rang today and booked it for next Saturday at the disability mobility centre so will let you know how I get on. They were able to tell me it covers medical history, visual tests, a simulator and an on road driving assessment. I am going to try it in a manual car ( I usually drive an automatic) as otherwise they will add that as a restriction . I am going to ask for a map of the route so I know where I am driving

My goodness what a shock in my post tonight. I was lucky enough to get a medical driving license about 4 months after my Sah which was valid for 3 years. I went through all the paperwork to renew for the end of March and have now been told I need to go through a full mobility and driving assessment . I am a bit nervous and was just wondering if anyone has any advice ?

This is an event recommended by Brain Injury Matters for carers, friends and family of people with brain injuries. https://themaclive.com/shows/reassembled-slightly-askew I will let you know the feedback

I cannot take ibrufen since SAH but I thought in general you should not mix paracetamol and ibrufen so agree with above refer to your gp to be on the safe side

I have been working three eight hour days since last May. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday which although tough at times I have been able to sustain. This is my third back to work attempt and the first time I have got beyond 6 months so fingers crossed. I wish everyone well and agree it is hard to get the balance right x

Sorry I should clarify in Belfast they have moved away from Headway and are Brain Injury Matters. Dawn the difficult thing is as you know everyone wishes the best for us including occupational health but it is only you that knows what you can and cannot do. I personally am trying to work 8 to 2 Mon - Thurs ... Early days Please try to not over commit my first week I did two 4 hr days for example in that way you are putting yourself under pressure from day one and are also not seen as flagging sick days . Good luck

I feel for you Dawn I am on my third attempt at returning to work myself and am at the 2.5 year mark. I recognise the symtoms that you describe and can only say as others have you cannot push yourself our bodies can no longer cope with that. I started attending Brain Injury Matters ( used to be called Headway) weekly seeing a neuro phychologist and a counsellor last October when I had to go off the last time and I can honestly say I could not have returned in May without them. I am still at a day at a time and wish you all the luck in the world . Please be kind to yourself and seek some support x

I find forms etc very confusing and I tend to over think them now so I get tied up in knots. I would agree with your partner and also think that it will help them make it happen. They are looking for a good solid reason for reducing hours and you have one to give them. I have just taken a work sabbatical for 6 months for the very same reason and I would not have got it if I had not stated that it was as a result of Brain Injury fatigue and the need for more rehabilitation. This may not have been necessary if I had managed my hours better. Good luck I am sure it will go well

Me too I've put on nearly a stone I like your dream Win - I have definitely developed a sweet tooth.

I have been lucky my eyesight has settled and is now only slightly worse in each eye. One of my pupils remains dilated and has little reaction to light.

Not like me to post more of a observer but I so identify with you my Sah was Dec 2011. I started to try to work in July 2012 and crashed Jan 2013. Started again in March and now again finding it very difficult my job has changed three times in a downward way. All I can say is you are doing brilliantly and as everyone is saying listen to your body otherwise now it tells us what to do . I have had to force myself to take a step back before my brain shuts down. Just a way of forcing me to have a quality of life is how I think about it. Anyway take it easy and don't push yourself too hard xx

Happy Anniversary ! It is a milestone just think how far you have come. I celebrated my first in Dec just ahead of you . I hope 2013 is everyone's year for a few steps forward I am only starting to realise this is a longer journey than I thought xx

Congrats from me too ! My first anniversary was on 5th Dec. I am sure 2013 will be the year for all of us . LOL Jules x

Hi Donna I was in the Royal as well and so far I have had an MRA at 3 months with a review with :-Dthe consultant. He told me that I would get another scan in a year's time. I have been reviewed by the rehab consultant at 4 months and have been at weekly rehab since with a full review in August. As others have said it seems to done on a case by case basis. I think the advice about ringing the consultant's sec is a good plan Good luck

Thanks everyone you are all so understanding cause I know you have all been there. I had my cry ,my sleep ,have my dark glasses on and feel much better just need to stop dizziness and head banging now but you guys know all about that. I agree whole heartedly with all your advice regarding water and I also learnt how good oxygen makes you feel when I was bad so try to get outside when I can Yes I was in the Royal they were very good but like everyone else has experienced not so good at the after effects. Although at my review in April they referred me to Dr McCann the top guy in rehab at Musgrave Pk where I've being going weekly since May. It is really thanks to this support that I have been able to go back to work but my Nhs allocation is up at the end of July so they are talking about referring me to Headway after that. Just heard that Dr Stephen Covey died what a great man he was he certainly was a big influence in my life. Better go as I am starting to ramble and drink some of that water. Take Care all and thanks for your kindness Getting a small white feather tattoo behind my left ear to mark my recovery.... Now you know I'm a bit crazy

Thank you very much everyone . You have made me feel very welcome Win I know that dream like state well Day two I have overdone it didn't listen to my signs, didn't go for a walk outside every couple hours like the hospital told me cos it was raining, and dissolved into mush:roll: Someone from work has just left me home and I'm in bed. I'm a bit fed up with myself but at least I know now that I need to take the breaks that I agreed with my boss Ah well I have survived my first week of phased return and am not in again until next Monday. I have set up the following for my return next week Monday and Tuesday 8 to 5 and then adding Wednesday for two weeks and then Thursday etc so will be full time by the end of August hopefully. Love to all x

Hi Everyone I would like to say thank you to you all you have helped my over the last several months. I have not felt well enough to post until now though. I had my Sah in November but didn't realise it I thought I was having a breakdown. I couldn't stay awake, terrible headaches, couldn't write or communicate properly. I went to the doctors eventually and found out my blood pressure was sky high and was told to go to A and E immediately. Went through all the scans, lumbar puncture etc and had my burst aneurysm coiled on 5th Dec. just in time as it was about to bleed again. It was in the anterior communicating artery I was in HDU for 2 weeks and had clot in my right lung. I have been very lucky in relation to my recovery but my immune system is still recovering. I took Thorasic shingles on my right hand side on new year's eve and have still lost feeling in that area. I then had a chest infection, frozen shoulder and then another infection. It all seems to be my right hand side which is the side they operated on. I had my 3 month review and the scan showed no more bleeds which was great. I have been through the neuro testing and have been going to rehab once a week since May. Today was my first day back at work since 30th Nov and I am phasing myself back to 40hrs over the next 6weeks. I felt really weird and managed to totally break my laptop so they are having to get me new one but I am glad to be back. Like a lot of you a have found walking a necessity to remain sane and can now walk about 4 miles can't run yet as it hurts my head too much. Sorry my post reads like a medical review but just thought I would get that bit over with;-) Thanks to you all again from an observer up to now Jules x