Sherri-the first doctor I went to wanted to do an angiogram followed by surgery to put in the Pipeline stent once he had better pictures. Found the aneurysm late July, saw this doctor within 2 weeks or so and had the angio scheduled for 9/12. My son was graduating from Army Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, GA, and I didn't want anything to interfere with my attending his graduation. So I planned the angio for before and was going to schedule the surgery for late Sept, early October. Well, as I have found, I am not in control here, God is. My husband and I drove the 2 hours to the hospital for the angio, leaving at 3:30 am to be on time, only to be told my procedure had been canceled....no reason, no apology...just "You will have to call the office when they open at 8:00." Well, needless to say I was pretty PO'd, husband took off work, I was mentally and physically prepared, only to have it canceled without my knowledge. When I called the office the surg. scheduling nurse danced around, said she called, left a message, which I returned and left a voice mail for her b/c I was confused about her message, and she never called me back...long story short, office screw up. Went to GA for graduation and they were to have called with a reschedule date by the time I got back. No message, nothing, nada, zip. So, off I go to another highly recommended doctor for a second opinion. Doc 2 wants to watch and wait and wouldn't have even suggested an angio b/c of risks involved with that. He did order a CTA which I had under his orders and on which he based his advice. Well, I am not a wait and watch kind of person, I want results and I want them now, unfortunately. I had a follow up with the neurosurgeon who performed my Kyphoplasty and told him how I was treated by his buddy that he recommended, that I felt I was part of an assembly line, a statistic, not a person...blah blah...and that I went to another doctor for a second opinion and was even considering a 3rd! My husband had wanted me to go back to this guy after seeing Doc #2 and get his opinion, because we both hold him in high regard. Well, after long, silent, awkward pause, he says he sent me to Doc #1 b/c he's the best, he's done hundreds, if not thousands of surgeries and is one of THE best doctors in the country in his opinion, and that's where he'd send his mother if she had one. I decided to give Doc #1 another shot, and scheduled another consult. I went in with a file folder 3 inches thick with over 500 pages of case studies, reports, etc. and a list of questions. I think I was in shock the first visit, but I came prepared this time, complete with recorder because my husband couldn't go with me this time. I told him about the screw up in the scheduling, he'd had no idea I was there and had no knowledge of what transpired (course not, nurse isn't going to tell him!) and apologized and said that it is a direct reflection on him, as he could tell I was not confident or comfortable, and that from now on I was only to speak to the office manager when I called. I kind of felt like I one upped him and brought him down to my level at that point and we were on an even playing field and therefore, could move forward. Sometimes, their egos get the best of them, and when you point out they, too, are fallible, they approach you differently! I left his office with a "I'll let you know what I decide about the angio." and him scratching his head! Called his office after talking with hubby and scheduled it, but on my terms...my husband was only available Thursday or Friday 11/10 or 11/11....apparently they do angio's on Mondays, scheduled surgeries other days, office visits other days and teaching/education other days. Well, office manager calls back and he agrees he can do it 11/10. I was the ONLY one that day and I am so glad I did it. The pictures showed it was actually bigger, not that it had grown, but he said the pics were in real time, not computer time and more accurate. MRA/CTA show computer interpretations, not actual size...so he was surprised it was actually 12 mm and the baby annie showed up this time, never did on any of the other tests, and that it has expanded out of the cavernous sinus, leading to higher rupture risk. He was also able to get clearer view of the neck which is smaller than shown on previous tests, making me a candidate for the Pipeline device. See, he had said, if it was confined to the cavernous sinus, he also might advise to watch and wait. But, it wasn't and it has a daughter sac which concerns him. After my angio, while in recovery, I called his office manager and scheduled the next available surgery slot for the PED, because they have to fly people in from the company to oversee...which I understand is common for a newer device. He has put in thousands of stents, just not this new one as many times, but I am 100% confident in his abilities. All along, this whole journey has been out of my control and out of my hands. I didn't want to get on that boat, but I did. I broke my back and had successful surgery, but speech issues they say are not related to the annie....but my surgeon kept sending me for tests, had a CT-nothing, sent me for MRI/MRA and that's how they found it. Then to have angio scheduled to get there and be sent home?....How crazy is that? I was able to attend my son's graduation and explain my issue with him in person instead of over the phone and relieve any anxiety in person. Huge relief for me to be able to do that for my child as we had told him nothing so he could keep his focus on his training....and then the second doctor and me being impatient and persistent. And having the angio and coming through with flying colors, the arteries of a 22 year old he said! I know this sounds crazy, but I have been blessed...blessed to have found this so that I could fix it. I woke up one morning to that mantra...found it to fix it...bizarre I know....but it's what I keep telling myself. The size of it scared the crap out of the guy who operated on my back, I just keep saying, it's no big deal...it's been there, it'll be fine...He even slammed his head down on his desk during my last visit...I think he wanted to smack me! Hahaha But that's what all of them told me, it's not emergent, but should be taken care of at some point. Well that point in time has come, I now feel I have tempted fate and God enough. Doctor even said I could wait till after the holidays, but something tells me I need to go and go ASAP....so next Monday it is! And I am not the least bit nervous, am no longer having depression or crying bouts, because I have come to the realization it's all to no avail. What is meant to happen will, I am healthy, eat healthy, don't smoke, never have, have cut out all alcohol and anything that might raise my blood pressure, walk a couple of miles daily and have a family and friends that love and support me. All in addition, to a fantastic, gifted and dedicated surgeon who understands me and where I am coming from. It's been a long journey, and I am ready for whatever the future holds for me. I feel I have been truly blessed and only hope and pray my luck continues until next week.... To answer your questions, my neck is fine, have never had a headache, speech fine, memory a little off, but isn't that true of most women in menopause? I am truly asymptomatic....am going to the eye doctor this week to have him have a look...I think he will find it quite interesting...he never spotted it in any of my exams, it truly was a hidden, silent annie...Only by the grace of God did I find it. Sorry this was so long, but I just have to share this story, b/c it has so many twists and turns to finally come to this place where I now am, calm, peaceful and ready to live the rest of my life! Thanks for listening and especially thanks for prayers! Will keep you in mine as well...Cece