I had coils, so the approach was via my groin rather than through my skull. So, I don't have an answer to that question, sorry. There are lots of people here who have had craniotomies for clipping, though, so you should get some answers.
Judith
Thank you. I am a wreck right now. I am so angry and I am so fearful I blame others for this. I was perfectly happy for 51 years and now all of a sudden this! I am sick to my stomach.
But not so much of a wreck as you might have been! Apparently about 1/3 of people with a rupture do not survive long enough to get to hospital and of those who do get there 1/3 die before discharge from hospital. So, yes, it is scarey, yes it makes you angry that when you thought you were fine there is this thing lurking in your head threatening all you thought your life was, but it is good the aneurysm has been found. Far better than having one and not knowing about it. This way your outlook looks so much better than it might have been, your daughter is far more likely to have her Mum as she grows up and you are far more likely to meet your grandchildren.
In just about 24 hours you will be coming round after surgery and it will be fixed. Clipping, which I assume you are going to have, is a far more definitive treatment than coils, stents or flow diverters and will need far less monitoring in the years to come. Tomorrow will be a good day. Praying for you.
Let me know how it went as soon as you are well enough. If your daughter has worries or wants support she can join BAF too.
Judith
Dear Sylvia, I went through a 14 hour surgery to clip multiple unruptured aneurysms...(3). Today I am living life fully and filled with gratitude.....! and also watching three other aneurysms that are too small to do anything at this time.... Surgery was just 1 year ago at UCLA. Please know you are being guided every step of the way....Often when we surrender and stay the course, practicing positive thinking and knowing we were given a better chance at life, when aneurysms are found prior to a rupture..... we find the Blessing in the midst of chaos. Be still and don't let your fears take over....and Yes! I know it is easier said than done....But I invite you to begin to see yourself as whole and no longer worrying about the surgery, but instead....create a vision of you living your full recovery. I will be praying for your serenity and great success in your surgery. Many Blessings.... Maya
Maya, thank you. I am having mine at UCSF. I am just so distraught at thinking of what all has to be done. just the thought of losing some of my hair and scars has sent me through the roof. I can’t stop crying and I am so angry with myself. I let this happen to me and I am also angry with my husband. I moved to California after living in Texas for 50 years! I have been so unhappy since I got here two years ago and I know my worrying did not help. I am miserable here and now I just want this over with so I can go back to Texas. I let my health decline by my sadness and now look at where I am at. I am sorry to complain but I have so much anger right now that it is all coming out.
Sylvia there is nothing you have done to yourself ("let your health go"--) this would've occurred one way of the other, be it in Texas or California, so quit beating yourself up for something you have no control over! Infact you are ahead of the game in that the aneurysm was found and you are getting the clipping (the clipping is the way to go I feel, they've got that procedure wrapped up tight! ) and my hair grew back in the same ol' color its always been --( no gray yet ! hurray---) they took very little of my hair each time, and it WILL grow back in ! I know its devestating (the "WTF why me" thing,) I know, I've had 2 clippings (age 37 then age 48), and a coil at age 44 which failed--(Yeah I wasn't real happy about any of it either, but you what, I'm here today with no residual BS . Thank God) and you will get thru this too. Prayers to you Sylvia, and peace in realiziing that they found the aneurysm so it can be fixed and you can live your life to the fullest.
Janet
Thank you for the encouraging words. I color my hair and someone told me when it grows back it will be grey and of course now I worry that I will have a gray patch forever and it will be more color to add. I lnow it sounds ridiculous. Janet, how big was your incision and where? Where you able to hide it?
Hello again Sylvia...
I can understand your anger..... it is often the reaction.. when we are told what we do not want to hear...But when it comes to life saving measures....hair, incisions and the like will become scars well worn..:)
You will find that going to Texas once again...or that living where you are now... is really not at the core of the why of the aneurysm...This is a reaction and in someway a defense mechanisms! Try to let go of that anger, as this will always make healing more difficult. When we go with the flow....all falls into place. I am still going through the hair growth time....in my case it has not grown great, and my hairline is certainly not the same.... My incision was quite large along the hairline... today it is covered by the new hair growth... I am also great friend of hair pieces.... ;) I get the feeling you will have your hair back in no time and you will be less angry and far more grateful for the outcome. I pray for you to continue to face this challenge with optimism. Until next time! Maya
Hi Sylvia,
Sorry I saw this so late. I'm having mine done at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. I am praying for you and hope you have found peace. We had a nice dinner, the food was delicious. Take care and God Bless You,
Bonnie
I had a craniotomy 10 yrs ago for clipping for an aneurysm behind my right eye. My incision is like the letter C. Hair came back in a little wild at first, I think growing over the incision was a little crazy. They just shaved where they cut the scalp. It grew back good enough to cover the scar in about 3 to 6 months. Maybe God put you where you are to find the aneurysm and have surgery where you are. I think every think happens for a reason. Good luck on your surgery and recovery. In a good year no one will be able to tell you had surgery. Life will get back to a new normal for you. I will be praying for you today. Keep us posted.
Thank you Robyn. I think for me is the fact I feel so ashamed and don’t know why. I have a lot of anger from this and unfortunately I am so afraid it is going to get worse.