Good Overcast Morning World! Yep, overcast - we had a nice garden rain yesterday! Much better than what hit Southern California this week or so my niece down in Temecula shared. The soil was too dry due to drought conditions and the rain came with no where to go as the soil couldn’t accept it fast enough which results in flooding. Fall aka Autumn must be coming as some of the trees have started to turn. I suspect the Turkey Vultures broke a limb on one of our White Oak trees as there’s some leaves that don’t look right being all droopy and turning in very large clumps. My fault, I will accept responsibility as I don’t like them roosting at night in trees by the shop. Their feces smell horrid, so I asked them why they didn’t roost where I don’t have to clean it up. Must have heard me as they (40-50) moved over to what we call The Grove. The Grove has 19-20 trees so plenty for them to spend the night and not to make a mess on the concrete. Heck if I can figure out why they don’t hang out in the “forest” where there’s lots of trees and we wouldn’t have them up front. I imagine it’s because they can roost more comfortably together where they choose. Choices are important aren’t they? Choices can give us a semblance of control which is always nice to have, especially if our choice is a benefit. I hope you’re choosing to do your relaxation breathing exercises! I know I’ve been doing mine!
Yes, I do them all the time. However, sometimes I really need to be more aware of doing them and this week has been an all out exercise in breathing week! Do you all know the difference between feeling “anxiety” and “anxious”? Here’s a good article on it Anxiety vs. Anxious: What's the Difference? So when we have an upcoming procedure or we have an incidental find we usually become anxious. For me, it’s the not knowing on what or how to do something. I have no anxiety about it but I can certainly become anxious.
This week, I wanted to bop someone over the head! Of course I couldn’t because they are on line and I was getting perturbed to no end. Thus being mindful of my breathing, I continued to beat that dead horse hoping I would get through to someone. Y’all know I’ve got an upcoming procedure that entails the ortho surgeon to do some repairs to my left lower arm since I told you last Sunday. I just wanted to know the basics of what was going to be needed after them so I can keep some of my hard fought independence.
Oh my gosh, relaxation breathing got me through it! I asked in my portal several different ways from Monday and began thinking why is this so hard? I asked if they had pamphlet or brochure for patients on what would be needed after the procedure. Explained I was feeling anxious and wouldn’t you know it, someone I don’t know made a 10 minute appointment for me to see the surgeon. I don’t need the surgeon, she’s already told me what she is going to do which I’m not exactly sure is correct based on the YouTube videos from the Ortho place she works for as one shows a cut at the elbow but she said she was going to use a drill. But I told the person I didn’t think driving to her office in Charlotte (54 minutes) and ending up in rush hour traffic (90+) on the return drive was worth it. I know she’s removing a bone at the base of my thumb, I know she’s going to repair the carpal tunnel with a release as well as the cubital tunnel release and she’s taking a tendon though it could be a ligament to make sure my thumb works like it should. BH was of course willing to take me but what the heck? I am not staying in a car for 2+ hours just to see the surgeon who will tell me what she’s going to do when she already told me. I may be brain damaged but I am not stupid!
Explained that I’m quite comfortable with angiograms as I know what to expect afterwards. The bones I’ve broken have never prevented me from taking a shower since I never had a cast. Why surgeons cannot provide basic discharge orders and how to continue to do daily life skills is beyond all understanding. Do they really not want me to shower for 2 whole weeks before I see them. I certainly do not in any way shape or form not want to wash my hair, been there, done that with my rupture. Didn’t get my hair washed until the third or fourth week of my stay in NSICU. I begged my neurosurgeon to let me take a shower, the CMA told her there weren’t any showers. I told Dr. Q-W she lied as there was one clearly marked across the hall from the big doors to NSICU. One of my favorite RNs took me for a walk during her breaks so I could look outside. No windows hardly to even see what was going on or see the Sun back then.
Finally, the CMA who works for my ortho surgeon replied again with the names of the procedures they’re counting it as 4 different ones but 2 are for my thumb, must be an insurance thing. I’ve told her the surgeon needs to be ready for everything to be worse than the imaging they took since that’s how it’s been for each of my surgeries except the angiograms of course. She said she understood my anxiety when I clearly wrote anxious. But she did add patients get a thing off Amazon that can be used to cover the cast and to wear larger clothes. I won’t be able to do or pick up anything for the first 2 weeks, get the sutures removed, get another cast or maybe a brace put on for another 2 weeks which I still won’t be able to do anything and then start OT. The OT will release me as I’m able to do more things but picking up any weight may take several months. I may be in OT somewhere between 4-6 months. Thank you Higher Spirit, Guardian Angel, The Universe, finally! If I have any more questions the surgeon is willing to take a phone call! I gave her a Big Hug for answering what I needed to know so my anxiousness has decreased 1000 fold! It was the arm cover that I couldn’t figure out. I know I can’t get the sutures wet because I had split the bone above my eye one time horsing around with a coworker. First was 7 sutures ER doc removed them after 14 days, skin had grown over them but that’s when he said to return. Took a shower and it all busted open again! Back to the ER, riding my bicycle the 2-3 miles, blood everywhere and the doc put in 17 sutures for the same injury. He was madder than a hornet at the first doc and said since he was the boss, he was going to have a word with him Uh Oh somebody was in trouble. The second doc was much better at stitching up than the first and the scar was barely noticeable. I told BH the support we give to each other here is sooo much easier to achieve than what simple information could and should be gotten from a surgeon’s office. Which reminds me, she’s not mentioned removing the two significant bone spurs in my two of my thumb joints that have no cartilage…might just need that call after all LOL.
So that’s my week! I couldn’t have gotten through it without knowing how to do relaxation breathing! My BP never went up, yes we do have a machine, BH has to take BP due to some heart issues which between us is rarely done unless BH thinks it too high. BH refuses to learn to do relaxation breathing which is frustrating as all get out! Do Not be like BH! Y’all know I love BH, but my gosh BH can be a bit aggravating at times!
On to our welcomes!
@Jojo1 starts us off this week. Joanne resides up in Canada and is currently being monitored. She shares that in 2025 her sister suddenly passed away from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Joanne had an MRI in September and she has a small aneurysm so is being monitored. Joanne also shares she is one of 6 siblings and lives close to the water in Toronto. She loves nature and city so it’s a great balance. Joanne is also very active and loves going to the gym and doing yoga! I bet you’ve got the breathing down!
@Livelaughlove is up in Boston and also a a patient. Liv was recently diagnosed while at the ER for an unrelated issue. Liv shares she is devastated and scared. She’s also a wife and mother of three beautiful children. Liv is on the ball having already started a new topic, please help her out folks here New diagnosis as of yesterday and am scared!
@Paula07 is over in Texas and has had her endovascular procedure. Paula shares she had an all of a sudden debilitating headache in her temple area. She saw moving colors of blue left to right for 20 minutes, 24 hours later went to the hospital. Her left interior carotid artery aneurysm was seeping and she had no idea! Paula‘s mother had died from a rupture at age 49. Paula didn’t know they were hereditary when her mother passed. So far Paula is doing well, but wants to stay connected with our community as a safe place to stay abreast of news, situations and people who understand. Paula shares it’s pretty overwhelming for her at times to still be alive and cognizant! Paula also shares she is a survivor by nature, has always been in tune with fitness. She says she’s a motivator and encourages others, former military spouse, designer, diamond certified, spent many years training and trialing K-9s. She is currently training a service dog. She never meets a stranger and thrives being around people. If that isn’t all, Paula enjoys the arts, movies, dance and beautiful colors! Well done Ms. Paula! Happy to have you on board! Between you, me and @DickD the 007 would really fit you well!
@Traceelee is up in Pennsylvania and also a patient. Tracy had a craniotomy in April 2025 for an unruptured aneurysm. She is feeling very tired, having memory issues, cognitive decline, slow response times and even no feeling during some instances. Tracy shares she is feeling very alone because no one around her understands. Tracy is married, has 3 wonderful children and 3 amazing grandchildren. Tracy, you’re not alone, we are here and so happy you have joined our group!
@AweSam0830 is up in Maine and has a new diagnosis of a 5mm aneurysm on the azygos anterior cerebral artery A2 region (Yes, I did look it up as I think she’s our first! Radiopaedia.org and a great image here Azygous anterior cerebral artery infarction - PMC) Samantha shares she is the 4th woman in her family along with her mother and both her paternal and maternal grandmothers. She also has an inherited bleeding disorder. Both grandmothers experienced ruptures Samantha shares she is just trying to stay positive and educate herself as well as getting to know others here in our community. Samantha also enjoys being out in nature and exploring when she is not working at the hospital or on her degree. Samantha you’ve already began educating us, how awesome is that?!? I love learning something new and you may just have gotten the A+ on what I will learn today! Thank you so much! Can’t wait to read more of your story…
Ending this week is @Keeks over in California Sue is also a patient and had an incidental finding of a cerebral aneurysm at an outside clinic. It took her 6 months to get her angiogram which has to be treated. She is now waiting and trying to figure out who to get the surgery done by. Sue shares she is grateful to find our online support group! We’re glad to welcome you Sue! Do a search on recommended doctors. You can also start a new topic and we will be glad to help you out! California is a long State, I’ve driven it many times having lived in SoCal and going to CSUChico, you’ve got several great hospitals in California!
That’s the roundup for this week! Of course for all the new members please come start a new topic under the General or Support by clicking on the +Add New Topic box, fill out the parameters, tell us your story and ask for any help you may need navigating the world of aneurysms. It’s a different road than most take and we do know a thing or two we can share on how we walk our roads. We don’t read minds so you’ll have to ask so we can help support you. If you need prayers, Support is the place we can ask for those or talk about religious beliefs associated with our aneurysms ruptured or not. Oh and I’m the Moderator in case you didn’t know so sometimes I will move things to the appropriate place, no worries! If you need help navigating this site please reach out to me @Moltroub or the kind folks who make up @ModSupport we are all volunteers so we may not respond right away, usually I’m on in the mornings and ModSupport is in different time zones so patience is needed or us to respond. ( yep, I copied this from last week, thank you for noticing! I will most likely continue to copy it as it will be easier for me if you don’t mind.)
Again, I am so impressed with the existing members who have taken time out of their day to help others. You are wonderful! Please keep it up!
Remember to do your relaxation breathing exercises, hydrate appropriately, eat protein, rest as needed. Until next week, go out and enjoy the clouds if you have them or spend some time in the park or somewhere pleasant outside. We’ve got Carolina Blue skies right now! I’m heading over to the Oak tree to see what’s up with it…