Just a quick note to share with you, today is my 30th anniversary of my aneurysm burst. Tomorrow will be the anniversary of the surgery that kept me alive. I don’t speak about this with anyone in my life, so I appreciate all of you and this site. 30 years ago I had a headache I was told was “stress” but which got intolerable until it resulted in the burst. After more than a week in a coma I woke up. And the challenges began. 30 years. Hard to believe. I think about that time and am grateful I was able to be married, have 3 wonderful children, and grow in my career. I still face challenges from the Annie that I face every day – partially blind, reading a challenge, word recognition, loss of memory – but which I try to use as tools to grow in different ways.
I share this with you because each of us have gone through some variation of this crazy life event. Some of us as survivors, some as family, lovers, and friends. To the survivors, I wish you strength as you address your individual challenges. Please know it is worth it – especially on those days when you may feel it is not. To the family and friends, I request patience. Please know we love you, but you don’t truly understand what we are experiencing and we may not be able to describe it. All we need is a hug, and be allowed to cry, or scream, or laugh, or have silence.
With that, I hope you all have a glorious Memorial Day weekend, as I celebrate the gift of this 30th anniversary.
