So I'm relaxing in Mexico . . .
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Bee Aware
Posted: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 12:05 pm
|
Updated: 12:23 pm, Wed Mar 16, 2011.
So I'm relaxing in Mexico . . .
I'm recognizing a quiet anniversary once again. March 16th. I
don't have a party or usually even mention this day to anyone other
than my husband. But it bears recognition nonetheless. On March
16th of 2000 I suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm that changed my
life in many ways.
We were in Mexico on our first vacation in just about forever
and I awoke in the middle of the night with all the usual symptoms
of a rupture. Except that I didn't know that. I thought I had a
really, really bad headache accompanied by something questionable
to eat that had me running for the bathroom all night. We were,
after all, in Mexico, and these things happen. If I'd had any idea
what was really happening in my head, I'd have been a nervous wreck
and never would have gotten on the airplane that took us home a few
days later.
Which was when, after a quick trip to the ER to determine the
cause of this nasty headache, they discovered I'd had a
rupture.
Without going into great detail (because, well . . . ewww!), I
immediately had surgery (a craniotomy and a clip inserted), beat
the odds and was home in a week and back to work in two months.
Which tells the story of what happened and when, but it doesn't
come close to describing the terror, paranoia, fatigue and overall
hugeness of having brain surgery and trying to move forward
afterward. Every headache I had for about 6 months put me in a
panic; I had a terrible time sleeping so I was tired all of the
time - all the while trying to convince myself that I was over it.
And at that time, there were very few resources for information and
virtually no support for survivors. Probably because there weren't
very many of us. For a few years I lived with a "Before Aneurysm"
and "After Aneurysm" philosophy about my life.
But - scars heal, sleep eventually comes regularly, headaches
are just headaches, and the big "A" doesn't define me any more.
Needless to say, I was one of the lucky ones. Treatment is getting
better and support is easier to find. But statistics still show
that approximately 40% of those with a rupture die immediately, and
of those who survive, 66% of those have live-altering neurological
defects. To my knowledge, I don't have any of those defects (but
who am I to say? I could be way off kilter and not even
know it!). And I can probably quit blaming the aneurysm on the
pounds I put on and can't seem to get off completely - it was
eleven years ago!!
But I can do this: Just in case you're not overwhelmed with
causes to research and donate to, here's another one. Check out
this web site if only to
educate yourself about this condition. It comes on without warning
and the only way to predict a rupture is through some pretty
invasive tests. But knowledge is power and if you learn one or two
new things that you didn't know before, then my work here is
done.
Also — please don't be one of those people who ask me "Don't you
appreciate life a whole lot more since you've come so close to
dying?" Because to you I would have to say "No. I was hanging out
on a beach in Mexico drinking margaritas. I was already
appreciating life!"
(Okay, maybe a little . . .)
Posted in
Word pie
on
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 12:05 pm.
Updated: 12:23 pm.
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Lynn Lawrence posted at 6:13 pm on Wed, Mar 16, 2011.
Definitely a day worth celebrating over and over and over again! As the statistics show, surviving a brain aneurysm is no sure thing.
The best news is that the numbers ARE improving. In 1976, at age 16, I had a brain aneurysm that leaked twice before it was found and repaired with a clip. At that time, I was given a 50-50 chance of survival, with a 25% chance of being "normal" afterward. And, like you, I beat all the odds... as far as I know, I'm relatively "normal" now!
One note: I didn't have a headache, but I passed out twice for no known reason. Upon regaining consciousness the first time, I (apparently) began cursing and yelling - definitely NOT my normal temperament at 16. With the second bout of unconsciousness, a savvy ER doctor put all this together, suspected an aneurysm, and put me through the newest tool of the day - a CAT Scan - and found my aneurysm. I have read accounts of other peoples' experiences who have had to beg the ER doctor to investigate for an aneurysm.
One more thing: In recent years, medical science has begun to believe that aneurysms or a tendency toward aneurysms may be a familial "thing." Interestingly, my grandfather died of an abdominal aneurysm, my father has had an abdominal aneurysm, and both his brother and sister have now been diagnosed and treated for abdominal aneurysms. I've always been told mine is different from theirs. We'll see if medical science finally catches up to our genes some day. For now, a big THANK YOU to savvy doctors and medical science - and HOORAY for Aneurysm Survivors! We rock!!
Jim Anger posted at 3:17 pm on Wed, Mar 16, 2011.
Drools, As you know March 16th (Today) is MY birthday. I've been savoring this amazing moment and basking in all of its glory all day (and who could blame me?)... But after reading your stirring blog, It struck me, in a powerful way! "Wow! This woman is a total Buzz Kill!"...and I mean that from the bottom of my heart! So you survived death defying odds! So you could have toppled into a lifeless heap at the very minute! Blah, blah, blah, blah blah! DID I MENTION ITS MY BIRTHDAY! Geeze! Next time you suffer a serious, life altering affliction, have the common decency to do it on, I dunno, March 15th!? PLEASE? I'm glad you pulled through OK and you're (kinda) normal - that's a good thing! Just remember this one thing, though: ITS MY BIRTHDAY and that's really all that's important! Nonetheless "Happy Brain Aneurysm Survival Day!" (There, I said it! Now back to my regularly scheduled...beer!)
Brandi Poole posted at 2:15 pm on Wed, Mar 16, 2011.
Another very important date to celebrate. We'll do it very soon. i appreciate your life all the time.