Can anyone enlighten me as to what my clipping procedure might be like? The coil that was put in on 9/4/11 to stop a double bleed has become compacted or something and another aneurysm has developed between the coil & the vein (I think). They are doing a craniotomy to get to the aneurysm. Does anyone know what that consists of? How about recovery time and effects following if any? I had the cerebral angiogram in March, and spoke to the Dr. briefly immediately following it to decide about going ahead with this procedure. He then left the country for a month so I will not be speaking with him until tomorrow . . . the day before surgery. Feeling a little anxious because I am not sure I understood what an extensive surgery this might be. Just looking for a little more information so I can maybe get a good nights sleep tonight - or not : )
Hi Sandy, clipping is the way to go!!! I had a clipping 9 years ago when my annie ruptured. Statistically it is absolutely the best fix. Mine has since redeveloped but they believe it was a fusiform to begin with but due to the emergency, care flighted and emergency brain surgery they didn't realize at the time it was fusiform. So long story short, I get angio ct's every 2 years and I had to have the pipeline 4 months ago, it was my only treatment option. This might sound crazy but I was wishing that they would've been able to clip it!!! Maybe because I had already been through that and knew what to expect and the pipeline is sooooo new, nobody knows much about it. We are educating our doctors on side effects, etc. but my case is not typical!! Yes, the recovery period is longer from the surgery and it is much more invasive but they can really see everything so well, when they are in there! So if there are any other issues that the imaging didn't pick up, they will know without a doubt.
I will be in prayer for you and you will be ok!! It will be fixed and once you recover, you will be able to lead a normal and full life. Try and sleep if you can. May God give you peace in this storm!!
Aimee
Aimee,
Thanks so much for the encouraging words. I appreciate your time to reply! Hope all is well with you! Take care!
SAndy
Good luck Sandy, my prays are with you. I had my 2nd Annie clipped on 1st March 2013 and had the craniotomy too both times. I went back to work two weeks ago (part-time), and only have the occassional headaches but I also suffer from epilepsy which is nothing to do with the aneurysms. It's all over now, I'm going to be a grandmother for the first time - got the news when I woke up in recovery. Life is good and we are the lucky ones because we have found our Annies and these surgeons are the most amazing gifted people, we just have to lie back and close our eyes and let them do what comes naturally. xoxox