April 10 th was my 90 day mark! I had a ruptured brain aneurysm on Jan 10. It was 18 mm. I ended up with a shunt as well. I am happy to be here to celebrate this with all of you. Any helpful advise would be appreciated. RitaRoo
Congratulations RitaRoo, it is so wonderful to be beyond the procedure and in your healing phase. I am currently 4 months out, but mine was not ruptured. I am doing well physically, adjusting to the physical changes of the scar and the tingling and itchiness I feel on my scalp, but that is minor. I am finding the hardest challenge for me is emotional; staying positive and quelling my anxiety. I try to practice breathing exercises, I walk 2 miles a day 5-6 days a week, and work hard to stay positive and accept the new me. I lost my job of 20 years, so I know I have to create a new reality/new schedule and be okay with it. Above all, healing takes time rest, and a positive attitude. This website is also a healing resource, I live too far from a live support group to be able to attend meetings, so this site has been a great help. Hang in there.
JT- Thank You for the positive comments. The anxiety is real and finding ways to deal with the new me is a struggle. It is hard to have everyone tell you how lucky I am to be alive. I had a very large aneurysm and I also have a shunt. l know this will get better in time- I just feel alone.
RitaRoo, Congratulations! Every month past rupture is a good thing to celebrate. I’m around 2 1/2 years, but don’t trust my math lol. Attitude is everything during healing. Ask your doc about hydration and protein intake. And don’t forget to exercise.
Watch out for the rebound headaches from the meds for the headaches if you have them. When the doc says time to wean, wean. I’m at two Naproxen for headaches in any given week. I haven’t had serious headaches for awhile. I have other stuff going on not head related, and I can take two Naproxen a day and one tramadol.
If life is like a book, this is just a new chapter for you. My new chapter this month is working with a young man to get my garden raised so I don’t have to do too much bending. We have an area planned for herbs and asparagus, and an area for a couple straw bale set ups. Strawbale gardening was the first gardening thing I did after rupture and I had over 45 pounds of sweet potatoes in five bales. I have foot drop, my brain and my foot doesn’t always sync, so I’m having patio blocks put in to make walking a little easier.
Also don’t forget to exercise your brain, keep it active, read, do puzzles or brain games. But only when your doc gives the go ahead. At my 90 day mark, I was sleeping for at least two thirds of the day. I could only stay awake a couple hours at a time. Good luck and ask the group for advise.
Congrats RitaRoo! My rupture was 22 months ago and I have coils and a stent and am still going strong (touch wood!) I hope for many more months and years to come for both of us!
Thank You All- Keep the positive coming.