Annie

Hi Jojo, I remember that reading was really annoying... I was conscious of moving my eyes from one word to the next. I also sometimes wanted to watch the TV without the sound on, or had to just have it turned off all together because the moving pictures were making me uncomfortable. None of this is a problem for me today (14 months now). Thinking of you, Annie

Hmmmm.... maybe make a puzzle of your own??? Not that you have time for this with everything that's going on, but the thought popped into my head so I thought I'd pass it along. I think the photo stores or craft stores have supplies for such a thing?? It would be fun with photos of the family to have her remember names of people and things and then match the shape of the photo to a tracing on a board??? I bet a teacher's supply store would have a kit for this.

Welcome, Jojo! Annie

Well, I was told 6-9 months for complete recovery!!! Wrong. But I am very encouraged by all of you reporting on your ongoing improvements. I am in a long plateau right now since my one year point last October. Mostly fatigue and memory. But both vary day to day. I just have to plan my day a little more carefully and lower expectations of what I''m going to accomplish. The thought that I can still be seeing improvement another year or so down the road is just fine with me!! Hanna, the word "consistancy" is not one you'll hear much for a while. It's just not that kind of beast at all. Louise, I am shocked that they would give you such a dismal outlook! That can only impede progress if you ask me. You sure proved them wrong!!! You are even more incredible in my mind now. merry wishes, Anne

Welcome Hannah!! We have a wide ranging variety of SAH experiences here. While your Mom's sounds very severe, I know you will find support here. Louise is the perfect example of a success story! I would also recommend that you find a local support group to attend if you can. But stay with us anyway and let us know how you are doing!!! We will be interested in hearing of your Mom's progress and helping you through YOUR difficult feelings too. xo, Annie

HAHAHAHHAHA!!!! Well, I guess I certainly dated myself didn't I? Ah well, at least Louise can enjoy Bing with me.

Hi John! I have an old book of Gary Moore xmas carols in my piano bench. I agree with you about the charms of gentle music. Cannot take the hard stuff. About as wild as I get is reggae. This time of year I love Bing Crosby!! So sorry about your other health concern. I know there are treatments and options for the prostate. Jack gets checked every year now since a scare when his PSA numbers were high. His is enlarged, and he resists treatments for now except for meds. Keep your chin up and keep us informed. We're thinking of you. xo, Annie

Hi All, I guess my observations of that episode touched a few nerves. I'm glad that others saw it the way I did too. You're right Karen that it was about the surgeons, and not the patients, and I was aware of that while watching. But I guess it's been good for us to air those feelings that we had about that portrayal of SAH. In fact, talking to all of you yesterday touched off a whole flood of emotion for me. I'm getting to be like that too, Sami!!! It prompted me to write to my 2 closest friends and invite them to read some of our discussion. I felt I needed to remind them that I am not the person that I was, especially stamina-wise. A.

Have any of you had your friends visit this site just to get an idea of life with an SAH? I am feeling so blue this week and it seems exhausting to think of trying to explain why to my closest friends. Tonight I sent them emails inviting them to have a look here. Just wondered if any of you have done the same. I know some family members have visited, but what about friends and colleagues? Blah Sunday, Annie

Haha Louise! Love the smiley with the shades for "fully charged"!!!

Joan, that sounds like a very important question. You should put it in the SAH forum with it's own topic title so more people will get the benefit. I don't have a mobile so I can't answer you. Annie

Oh Karen, it is sooo nice to have you back. I've missed you. If broadband is that much better, I am more excited than ever that Jack and I are having the house wired for cable and broadband in January. Won't be long now! Yes, I left the hospital in a wheelchair too. :/ It was super of Keith to send me the dvd. Andy, too, is a dear... he is sending me the Southampton one. Good guys!!!

Dear Brain Gang Friends, I just watched the first episode of the Brain Hospital which Keith kindly sent to me. Jack watched it with me, and I must say I am deeply moved. In fact, I found myself in tears long before the teary parts began! I guess it was a little overwhelming to "be" back in the hospital and "experiencing" a bit of what we went through before. Several things surprised me too. The SAH fellow had his angio which all seemed very familiar, and then because I hadn't seen the coiling video which you all had, I was a little surprised at how similar it was to an angio as far as getting in there to do the job and getting out again anyway. The coiling was very interesting, and I am so grateful that the procedure is available for all of my new friends here. We are ALL so lucky, that's for sure. The other thing that surprised me was that that patient was out of the hospital walking around and "smelling the roses" after such a short time. Right now I can't remember if it was 2 days or 2 weeks for him (memory!!!) but either way, it was SHORT compared to my recovery and I didn't have an aneurysm! I was very ill at home for 7 weeks and had some serious trouble with walking for quite some time. So, it goes to show how very differently this event effects us all. Another reason I need to get my "story" on line here, so it can help someone who has a similar experience. I was surprised that this affected me as much as it did. I revisited those feelings of vulnerability that have haunted me some since the hospital. Thanks, Keith, for sending it to me here in Ohio. It did not play on my dvd machine after all, but just as you said, it worked on the computer. As I promised, I am donating a toy to the Christmas clearing house in your name. Something for a boy.... hmmm..... maybe a Frankenstein! or a doctor kit! What I really want to do tonight in the worst way is run to a pub and meet you all there and have a good hug and a cry. I am really pulling for those of you that are struggling with tougher issues than mine, and I look forward to the day when we can all celebrate together our being past the worst of it. Then of course, there will be new members coming along and I expect many of us will stay a part of this to help out a little if we can. I feel really frustrated that there's not a group here. I am tempted to contact my hospital about that, but fear being asked to start one and monitor it, which I am not prepared to do. But I might take up being a pest until THEY do it. Well, enough rambling. Love you all, Annie

Welcome Joan! I can't add a lot to the advice you've already received, but I must say that I am very surprised that you are working so soon after your SAH! That's amazing! Do allow yourself to go as slowly as you need to getting back into the "swing", and do expect the "swing" to be slightly different than before. One thing I've taken from my experience is that it is a gift in a way to be allowed to reprioritize your life. While it's frustrating that I'm not quite what I used to be, I am better in other ways. Slowing down has made me really aware of using the energy I do have in healthy ways. And the healthy ways are not always PRODUCTIVE. And that's OK!! Wow. Huge revelation there. Also, don't be shy about saying you need to rest... to friends, family, co workers or whomever. My SAH was mild compared to some, but I am still dealing with the change in me a year later. I'm sorry that my "story" isn't posted yet. Maybe I'll get to it when I'm being productive! hahah. Anyway, I'm here for you too if you have any questions. Lovely people we are here. xo, Annie

Congratulations, Keith! That's wonderful. and Sami... I still can't believe you're so young and had 9 coils! Goes to show how random and weird this whole thing is.

SO true, oh wise and nobel leader!!

Welcome home, Therese! Pamper yourself and stop by to let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it. We're thinking of you, Annie

Yes, Karen, I've always been instructed to take mine just before bed for that very reason. Still coughing here but I have my voice back today. Took the Thanksgiving decor down and put up the big wreath on the house. I think Jack and I are just going to get cell phones for xmas for each other. Maybe something small to unwrap too. The high speed internet has to wait until the 2007 budget kicks in. :/

Wouldn't Placebo be a great pet name? Call it Bo for short?

Hi Karen, Who cares if it's placebo? I'm just glad you're having an up day!!! Keith is sending the Brain Hosp dvd to me, and Andy is sending the Southhampton dvd. So I am covered! It's so great of you all to offer. Annie

oooh, I'm so envious. Wish I could be there to raise a pint with all of you.

Chiming in to congratulate you too, Karen, on taking positive action for your health. I wish you all the best. I'm sure it will help you. and hey.... I've been on dial up this whole time! i dont even know what I'm missing!!! xo, Annie

Yes, WELCOME Scott and Rince! (and hi Louise!!) You are SO very lucky to have a support group to attend. This is all I have. But that said, this site is wonderful and the support here is such a help to me. Annie

Sending positive thoughts and healing energies!! We are with you on Wed. xo, Annie

Hi Cassidy! Welcome to the club! This is one of the goooood things that comes from an SAH.