Hello, fellow survivors. I am having a Pipeline Flow diverter placed this coming Monday on a 7+mm ICA unruptured aneurysm. If there are others of you out there who have had this done I would appreciate your stories. Hoping for success.
Hi @seniorlady!
I did not respond previously, as I don’t fit some of your criteria. I did rupture, and so ended up with a coiling. I am also in my middle years, so I appreciate my story is not a perfect fit, but I share what I have should you find any help in it.
That being said, I know that “Alex” and “FredX” are popular for other people’s stents, but I just had a Pipeline flow diverter placed in me. (I feel like I need a new t-shirt that says “This brain is supported by Medtronic.” 
)
I wrote about my experience based on @Ralf’s request in this other topic.
3+ weeks post stent, all I can add is that the main bruises are gone, but, of course, on the blood thinners, new ones pop up all the time. I just shrug my shoulders and move on - too much life to live! 
I am happy to answer any specific questions you have.
Sending you healing thoughts - you’ll do great!
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Thank you so much!!! Very encouraging. 
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In the @FinWhaleFan group -popped my pipe. I did get a stent on the 4th attempt to stabilize mine but it’s a Neuroform Atlas Stent one night in 2 different ICUs due to COVID and an emergency NS patient coming in. My brain started working better right away it seems. Hydration is the key beforehand in helping the RNs get the IV needle in so make sure to start hydrating now. There’s always a weight limit with either a radial or femoral entry, so make sure you do any heavy cleaning this weekend. Oh and easy to make meals at the ready for when you get home Tuesday. You will need someone to stay with you for at least 24 hours. When you get home, make sure to stay hydrated and eat plenty of protein, as it helps to get rid of the dye, the anesthesia and your brain.
Fingers crossed for a great outcome. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers if you don’t mind.
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Thank you. I really appreciate this support. My anxiety is increasing and in some sense, I am questioning my decision to go through with this. On the other hand, the thought of rupture and its potentially devastating effects is also driving me forward. I worry most about stroke and hope my blood thinners will be sufficient to avoid this.
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Pre-procedure anxiety is something we can all relate to, especially when it comes to things like brain procedures.
First, please continue to share your thoughts with all of us. We are here for you, and will be cheering you on!
Second, what is it that you like to do that relaxes you (rhetorical question)? Lean into that heavily over the next few days. [I have visions of you hanging out along the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!] Through my journey, I was encouraged to start meditating/mindfulness, and my fitness tracker reports it does calm me down. 
(Note, these often include breathing techniques which are also great in helping to relax.) Music, walks in nature, art, cooking, crafts - whatever it is for you, embrace it!
Of course, this is specific to me, but my doctor told me that the risk was 3-5% of something going wrong. I flipped it the other way, and thought of it as there is 95-97% chance of things going right, so that made me feel much more at ease.
Like @Moltroub, I will be including you in my thoughts and prayers, if that is o.k.!
Fin Whale Fan 
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Thank you! I really need to work on breathing. I’m having some physical sensations (buzzing) which are likely caused by a neck impingement and anxiety (have been diagnosed as having neck issues) and breathing helps. Have taken more walks. Playing piano is my jam, so I will do more of that. Again, it is great to have this site and all of you as supporters.
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@seniorlady
I was one of those people who had a ruptured brain aneurysm in October 2020. You can read more about it in my profile.
Six months later I got a stent and additional coils as the aneurysm couldn’t be completely repaired during the first surgery.
I have a couple of things that I would like to mention for you. Please wear soft pants, like jogging pants the day when you get home from the hospital. If they access the artery in the groin it is much more comfortable to wear soft pants instead of a pair of jeans.
I was sensitive to bright light for a while, especially when we were driving home. I recommend to take a pair of sunglasses with you in case you need them.
You will get instructions what you can do and what you need to avoid during the first days at home.
Take time to sleep, rest and recover, don’t rush, it doesn’t help. @Moltroub has already given you some good advice how to prepare yourself and your home. Cook and freeze some extra food so everything is ready for the first week.
@FinWhaleFan gave you great advice how to handle your anxiety. It is normal to be anxious about the procedure, we all have felt this. I took long walks every day before the second surgery and it eased my mood.
The nurses and the doctors are aware of the anxiety and they will give you some medication that puts you in a happy place.
I still remember the words from the nurse who prepared me for the surgery. She said that she was going to give me some medication to take the edge off my anxiety before they wheeled me in to the operating room. The next thing I remember was that I was in a bed, the neurosurgeon and my husband was at my bedside and the doctor told me that it was over and the surgery was successful.
I just had my four years follow up with the neurosurgeon after an MRA with and without contrast, the aneurysm is fully treated and the stent is now embedded in the lining of the artery. I have no restrictions whatsoever. Welcome back in two years and then in three years he said. After that they will stop with the follow ups.
I hope you will have a good experience with the surgery. We have to remember that this is done to save lives. I’m sure you know the grim statistics of a ruptured brain aneurysm, if you can avoid it to happen it’s a very good thing.
I have always said that I wouldn’t hesitate if I had to do the surgery again. I wouldn’t like it, but I would do it.
I will be thinking of you on Monday. Please get back to us when you have the energy to do it.
Good luck 
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Thank you so much! This kind of detail really helped put me more at ease. It’s not a great place to be in as you all know. But I do have good doctors and I believe I have made the right decision. Again, thank you.
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Spot on @oct20! I completely agree with everything you said … and I used the excuse to wear sweats until I had the follow-up with my doctor three weeks later. 
@seniorlady - I want to share with you my favorite breathing technique. It is my favorite because it is so easy, and you can quickly pick up the steps and take it with you wherever you go. It is called “Box Breathing,” because there are 4 stages like a box. Basically you breathe in for a count of five; hold for a count of five; breathe out for a count of five; and hold for a count of five. Repeat as necessary.
I especially love this particular video as the trees in the background really make it all that more calming, but you do not need it for sure.
Box breathing - 1 minute in length
Supposedly, even Navy SEALS do box breathing too!
Keep playing the piano, I think I can hear you from here!
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Again, thank you, thank you! I will practice breathing with the video.
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Also, my husband is doing the box breathing now. It’s helping him too! I bought some comfy minimally restrictive joggers from Costco. I’m prepared!
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@seniorlady
This is a picture of a walk with my daughter, three months after the surgery. She was the one who had a hard time keeping up with me 
I was 66 years old at that time. I hope you will recover well.
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You are MORE than prepared @seniorlady - you are a fierce warrior!!!
@oct20 I this!!! Modern medicine (especially brain procedures) are so amazing; what seems impossible to us as laypeople is just a (relatively) simple procedure to them. We are SO blessed to live at this time! (My opinion only! )
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Yesss! That’s what is keeping me hopeful! So glad all has gone well for you!
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@seniorlady I made a mistake, this was three months after the surgery, not three weeks…… But it is still awesome.
You got this 
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November of 2017 I had a pipeline diverter placed in three aneurysms and have been doing well , I have had follow up angiograms as need by my Dr. . My family has a history we had a sister who had two rupture and almost died but she had coils put in . She is doing well aside from some brain damage but she is alive . I think I have a followup next year for mine. I wish you all the best !! Karen
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Still cool!! Thank you!
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Thank you! I’m feeling increasing hopeful. I’m so glad you and your sister are doing well. My mother had a stroke around my age. That was two decades ago and st the time strokes and aneurysm bursts were sometimes diagnosed the same. So really don’t know my family history for certain. Again, thank you!
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Best of luck to you !! I also have two other siblings that had stents put in for aneurysms in one year after my sisters ruptured we all had to be checked there are four of us who all had brain surgery that year but she is the only one who had coils put in. I will keep you in my prayers !!
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