Daffodil

Hope the virus gets on its bike very quickly so you can be back on your feet running soon. Teechur, your positive attitude has helped me as I approach my first year, your 'can do,will do' is very motivating. Thanks.

Fern. I can't offer any experience in what you're going through but just a note to welcome you and tell you we will all support you as best we can. I am sure in your position I would make exactly the same decision to have the coiling but it's natural to be worried especially as you've done so well over the last six years. Keep strong. You've come so far.

My neurosurgeon when he asked me what I did said that pc work and analytical interaction were brain intensive activity and he advised me that I shouldn't even think about returning before the six month mark. The reality for me ,(and I know we are all different) is that only now do I feel I could cope with the brain demands on top of caring for my daughters and Ive just passed 10 months. I sometimes feel like My head is like one of those snowstorm globes you shake. Sometimes it's does settle but it doesn't take Much of a jolt for a few flakes to start flyng about again. Work I think must gve it a real hard shake and it's not that you won't get there, you will, but I think it's going to get the snow flying a bit again. See if they'll let you take it back to three days if that was manageable, it's worth taking really slow if you are able.

Hey Scooby Doo. I don't remember taking anything slow at 18 so I'm sure it's doubly frustrating but the advice is sound. Take things slow, you can't jump back in at the level of activity you had prior to the bleed but in time I'm sure it will be fine. Pleased to hear you're getting scanned to be sure there's no side effects. In the meantime listen to your body and head and don't push it. Hope you're nowhere near the fires. Daff

I've struggled to answer this one. Think I'm not alone in that. It's 10 months since I had my SAH, and 6 months since I had my shunt placed . I took a huge step backwards when I went back in for surgery for the shunt and expereinced my first ever anxiety attack shortly after that, plus numerous shunt adjustments and blue light ambulance visits until we got a good setting. I can however track real progress I have made since last March but not one figure would cover it for me, (sorry David,)so here's how I'll try and rate myself to answer this. Mobility 80% . On the whole I feel I have regained most of my coordination and movement but I have some serious shoulder issues and balance can be off Emotions 70% . I am a glass half full girl and feel I have reached some acceptance of what's happened. I've still a lot to come to terms with but with you lot helping me I'll get there. Health and Stamina.50% this is where feel low and am concentrating my energy right now, building up my stamina both physically and mentally. It's so far off what it was. I am tired ALL the time. So using maths head that would put my average at about 63% ...not too shabby for 10 months after my worst near death experience to date but room for improvement which will hopefully still come.

Jen, you're right about the writing. I haven't explored my SAH experience too much so far in writing but have shared my feelings since I had my shunt put in, it's been a good way of letting people know some of what I'm really feeling. If anyone wants a read it's here. http://popgoestifty.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

Everybody in the BTG house with a VP shunt shout yeah! Sorry , poor humour, I noticed with interest on this thread that Steph, Louise, Mikey, Win and I All have shunts. We have the majority view! , tee hee Sorry ill get on subject Steph. Just to say I am thinking of you and get that you want to move on at the 12 month mark, im sure it will come for all of you but maybe at different pace. I think asking your family to reduce or limit the times they mention it and why you need them to would be good way to start. Interestingly I have the opposite problem in my house where no one wants to talk about it, which suits me fine , until I'm feeling rough and they've all moved on and are looking at me as if to say,"what's up with you?" and I'm like "hello, SAH" Hey maybe we sould do an SAH wife swap special!

Hi all Looking through this there is only a couple of categories that would apply!personof courage and stroke group, but you guys know better? The full detail is in a PDF here which can be printed off and sent in by snail mail;-) thoughts?http://www.stroke.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/LASA_nomination_form2013_low%20res.pdf The one I thought would make senses was for Stroke Group Award Stroke Groups play a vital role in improving the lives of those affected by stroke in their local community.( I would argue we are a global local community!) This award is given in recognition and celebration of the essential support network they provide. This award is presented to a group that can demonstrate the difference it makes to the quality of life of stroke survivors in their local area through its varied and innovative activity programmes, delivered by dedicated organisers and volunteers. The fine print I think shows that BTG is eligible as I think we are affiliated? Anyone know? (Please note this award is for groups run by volunteers. Both independent affiliated and Stroke Association Support Groups are eligible. We regret that groups such as unaffiliated groups or those that are part of a Stroke Association service, are not eligible). I wholeheartedly agree that BTG founders should be recognised for providing and maintaining this excellent forum , our place of comfort and refuge. maybe if we cant sort this one out then we can organise our own celebration of that?

I have a high buzzing sound all the time, at first I thought it was my shunt but that makes more of a whirring noise It's so annoying. My question is do you think the constant drone could affect the quality of sleep we are getting? is it like sleeping with the TV on? I'm so tired when I wake up in the morning even after a lengthy sleep. Thoughts? Lastly is there anything anyone has found that eases it, is it a form of tinnitus ?

Hi Mariella, my best wishes to your mum. Hope you're coping ok, I'm sure it's been very hard. I dont remember much about my SAH experience. I also developed hydrocephalus when i had the SAH, i had a drain placed which i was weaned off and then i was discharged after 6 weeks in hospital. However my hydro returned and I had a VP ajustable shunt placed four months later. In my experience Any change in spinal fluid levels can play havoc with a body so my best advice is gve it some time. Your mum will have had high pressure feeling for a while , for me that manifests by slowing everything down. My movement, walking, talking. i guess that makes sense when your brain is bascally getting squeezed. After going very low pressure ( post Lumber puncture and again after shunt surgery ) I experienced dizziness, sickness, confusion, eye pain, my list goes on, the like of which I hope never to have again. Then you have the gradual adjustment to a new level. Also my shunt is adjustable and the 'factory' setting wasn't quite right for me. I can honestly say that it took at least three months post surgery before we reached a setting that worked for me that my brain was happy at. Its still early days for me and I have good and bad days depending on a variety of factors. Please feel free to message me as I'm happy to share with you what I've learned about the shunt process and recovery with an SAH.

Hi mikey. Your daughter sounds great, and she obviously learnt that compassion somewhere. Father daughter relationships takes a lot of effort and you should be rightly proud that you have such a great one. I think my first post on BTG was about my fear to be taking something for high BP. I mean here I am, 40, fit ( admittedly no longer fitting that description in a nightclub sense! Lol) , but how could that be true for me? But you know what ? Im now like wow how cool is it that we have help in the form of a small pill that lowers our BP, thank goodness they can. If you can try to Be thankful for the gift this pill brings you .lowering your BP helps reduce risk from those other Annie's ( I have one stealth one as well) and it's not a judgement on you. We are all everyone of us built uniquely and differently and so our amazing bodies will all beat to a different drum. You can't change that, you learn to live with it. One thing I would say is that if you have friends who have fallen away then reach out to those who haven't and ask them to do stuff with you. Don't wait for them to ask, take the lead and you make the suggestion. People In my experience like to be asked. And is there ways you can help others maybe near you?,you mentioned you can cook, maybe volunteer to help with meals for homeless etc. sorry if that sounds a bit preachy but if you can find a purpose and maybe see how you can still help others , have more purpose, then it might just lift you. Lastly, we all make our own choices and your daughter makes hers. She's old enough to have decided she wants to do this right now and help you. Just don't stop helping yourself as well.

Bev. Scary day for you but I hope one you can look back on as when you got some answers. Having an Angio is a nerve jangler anyway, don't underestimate what your body went through today, take some extra care of yourself with extra hugs, water and plenty of rest is in order over the next few days. You did well! I know a little bit of how you feel I think. The euphoria and initial healing after my SAH was dashed when I had to return and have surgery to place a VP shunt. Smething like that Is hard when you just want to move on and then something comes along and you get dragged a little backwards but its important they deal with your AVM just like I needed to have the shunt. Actually only then can you truly move forward. And you will. Sending you hugs. Hope you've had some chocolate!

Hey Great news to hear you are doing those 'normal' trips, you should find these will get easier and I find at 10 months Those sharp and eye watering gritty pains are less and less frequent and more importantly I am better able to manage the fear that comes. I wish that for you too. Your lad will be ok. He will be ,and you have and will continue to grow in confidence I know I have and still am. The great thing about kids is their antics and naturally selfish demand for attention does bring 'normality' back where possible pretty quick . They work out what mum can't or can do and adjust, equally just being able to be mum helps you with the healing. Wel done you.

I had just started learning about Mindfulness before my SAH and have found that its practice has helped me find some peace since then at my most anxious times; in hospital, recovering from my shunt operation or just when I am in pain and need to rest my brain. There is some good free short mindfulness meditation downloads on this site which I have used. I use them to take a few minutes in the day to be completely still and quiet so I wanted to share . Hope that is ok http://www.freemindfulness.org/home

I had to giggle as yes, been there, done that. my personal Achilles emotional heel is babies. Only need to waft one near me and I cry, like a baby in fact. As Cats are indeed cuter than some babies they're worth a sob or two. Tears are healing , so if a sad cat story makes you feel like you want to cry then my advice is let them flow. Pleased to meet you. Glad you're doing well.

today's forecast !David, i love the thought of you being a night benefactor to the poor and needy on Chicagos streets. That's a nice thing you did. Just keep Paying it Forward. It will all come good. You think you couldn't focus on a meditation? i know the feeling...on the one I listen to the disembodied voice actually tells me that it knows that I'll wander off on different thoughts ,' ! Which I do. SQUIRREL My friendly voice tells me that it's ok. So I guess that accepting your brain wandering is part of learning how to do it. Give it a try and embrace your squirrel moments as part of it and get some quiet time for your head. Hugs. Glad you're feeling more upbeat.

Alison, welcome to BTG. It's so very good to talk and family and friends, whilst they love you and support you just can't understand. People on here will understand so chat anytime. My journey so far mirrors yours slightly as my head pop was 6 days after so I have been treading a similar , albeit different path over the last 9 months. Days are better now for you too I hope. I'm glad you are doing ok. What a clever and calm husband by the way to drive you to hospital. I too have developed a greater faith through this experience. It comforts me, I'm glad you found similar and I enjoyed that verse. I found counselling a help, did you? My very best wishes to you and yours. Daffodil x

David You were so good at cheering me up when I had the blues. Sending hugs. It's hard to feel anything but blah at times when you've been through so much and its natural to miss the bouyancy and optimism of your old self. I think theres even something in the good book about how futile it is to worry and fret about the future; but Blimey it's hard not too. I think it's hard to get excited about future events like holidays when you know the fragility of it all. But here's the pay off, becuase we do know that fact the smaller things can be sweeter if we let them. So I'm talking about the walks on the beach, the poker wins, the hug from the wife, the call from a friend. This is all sweet stuff that can fill up your happy tank. Take moments to appreciate these each day and you may find some of your zest bubbling back up. Yes, sweat the small stuff in a good way! I am learning that It doesn't matter how much time we spend worrying about big stuff that it wont even add an extra hour of life when it comes down to it. What will be will be. I think your mum would have told you that, my mum does me! Have you tried any Mindfulness meditation? I try to do some most days ( i have a cd) and it let's me come back to the here and now and be a little less worrisome and more grounded. Even with all the stuff going on with my Nan it's helping me not to get too down. Youre not alone on this journey. 1 in 4 adults will have some form of mental health challenge in their lives with depression being the most common. Having a SAH is certainly something that upsets any balance. Your takin meds, that's good and will help but maybe find something that works alongside that which helps you let go of some of the pain that feeds your black dog! and I don't mean working!! Itll be ok double D!

Lisa, enjoy your glass of water tonite and hopefully next year we can have a bit of fizzy stuff! also well done for relaxing more over the last few weeks. Headaches that i had in the first few months were awful, real hum dingers which felt very strange and scary. Also my first cold was horrible! My doctor was very patient and kind and now when I get one I'm able to have more tolerance about it even if to be honest it still scares me a bit. Kris says it right. Relax when you can, hard with the kids I know, and expect to get some horrid healing pain ....but anything odd get it checked, you know your body best.

So good to hear this dawn. I'm so glad the new arrangement is working and this means you are free to enjoy the job especially as you get to know the ins and outs a bit more. Congratulations for weathering the storm. Onwards and upwards!

What a joyful and triumphant result. Merry Christmas Macca !

Fabulous, an excuse for new funky spectacles! So Glad all is ok in Wins world.

I've not dared try it yet. I feel like I'm in a permanent hungover state anyway what with the effect of my shunt managing my head pressure and titinus so the thought of that combined with alcohol scares me a bit. My neuro team said the effects would be exaggerated? Is that true? I figure Ive drunk my fair share over the years though I've been making non alcoholic cocktails which make drinks more interesting and I wasn't really a wine drinker before then so dont miss that.

Win, Im hoping that by the time you've read this you have already seen the doctor and been reassured. Your shunt should hopefully be doing its job to stop the hydro becoming an issue but if the regular feeling has changed then the best thinks is to have them check it all out for you and make sure all is in order. My Best wishes are winging their way to you.

Hi kris. Thrilled to hear that he's found a new job and I hear Ohio is very nice. I haven't moved since SAH So no experience to offer. Just to suggest that you take a Dim Sung approach....small bite size chunks...lists will be your friend and ask for help to pack. Also do you have friends in Ohio? If not get introduced to some by mutual friends , thats always nice. If I was closer I would help:razz: