Just looking for a bit of support and reassurance really. My mum suffered a ruptured aneurysm 8 weeks ago and by the grace of god she survived it. She had a platinum coil fitted and has come through every step so far. She is able to talk eat and walk slowly. However her memory is shattered. Mum recalls some things but then gets completely disorientated and frustrated with herself. She also has impaired vision on the left side. Will all this come back eventually ? Is memory loss and impaired vision just a few of the consequences of the aneurysm. We have a lovely family who constantly visit and support and love her but I feel mum believes she will never get better and keeps saying she wants the old her back. Can anyone offer any advice on how to reassure mum ? Are there any other stories where people have a made a recovery when being in a similar position to my mum .
Hi Melanie, I have also been in the same position as your mom. I had a ruptured aneurysm. 2 years ago and was rushed to the hospital. I was given emergency surgery. I had problems with my left eye too. I had no vision in it. Blood had formed over my cornea. I had laser surgery which helped for awhile. But when I was eventually discharged- after a horrendous trauma, 4 months in the hospital, my vision started going again. I was diagnosed with cataracts in the same eye. I had surgery again. Now, I can see clearly now. I then had 6 months, out-patient physiotherapy. So through Hell and back. I am alive and kicking, with a couple of health issues. But a survivor. My thoughts, and prayers are with your mom, and you.
I am awaiting aneurism surgury so I can’t comment on your Mum’s situation directly. I will pray for her though. That she will be filled with the fruit of the Spirit, patient, strong, happy and living everyday as if it were her last. How wonderful that you love her so much. God bless you all.
Hello. I had a ruptured aneurysm two years ago and received two coils. While I was under, my family was told that I had a forty percent chance of survival. I don't remember the first week at all, or the second week much, but today I am back at work as an attorney -- I'm not quite the same as before (harder to remember details, so I must take far more notes; I also forget names quite a bit. That said, people who don't know I had such a significant brain issue would never guess it. As others have said, everyone's result is different -- best of luck to your mum with hers!
Every case is different, but the problems your mum is experiencing are not uncommon. How far she will come in terms of recovery depends on a variety of things. You need to consult the hospital for recommendations as to therapists and counselors. It is quite a shock to realize the "old you" seems to have been lost, and the "new you" is frustrating and strange. Some vision problems restore on their own; others will need a bit of a push form a specialist, or possibly even surgery to correct damage. Emotional issues come with the territory, so to speak. Trying to do what you can't do is a very emotional thing, and only time will relieve some of the hurt and disappointment. Counselors experienced with trauma will be able to help. But, above all else, is the support and understanding and PATIENCE of those close to her, family and friends. This is no easy time for any of you. You are all going through this experience. Better together than dividing and competing for "intelligent comments". Love her, and be with her as she goes through this trying time. Keep us posted. There IS a light at the end of the tunnel.
Time, patience and prayers. I had my Annie 4 years ago and I am still in the healing process. Tell your mom not to rush things. Eventually her good days will outweigh her bad ones
GOD BLESS
Hello Melanie, God bless you & your Mom. I too had a ruptured anyuerysm in my right frontal lobe 3 years ago, with delayed treatment. Everyone is different, so I can only speak about myself. W/ the delayed treatment & vasospasms, they took a tool on me. My first year was very rough. I had to work with a speech therapist & physical therapy. It was frustrating! But now, I am blessed to say I’m much better. I still have some memory issues , but who doesn’t?? LoL!!
The best advice I could give is to keep the brain active, it’s like a muscle. Try to have a fighters spirit. Read, crossword puzzles, mazes, & any brain teaser you can find. Exercise, exercise, exercise. I walked, jogged, & ran & biked… Still do… The more oxygen, the better. Without these activities, I’m convinced I would have been far, far worse.
Support your Mom the best you can, & encourage her when she gets discouraged. Set attainable goals daily/ weekly/monthly/ yearly. Help manage her expectations. Get plenty of rest. Take vitamins… Lots of them… B12, Rutin, Fish oil… The brain lost a lot… Gotta replenish it
I wish you. & your Mom nothing but the best. It’s a long road that can be shorten with strength, support & love.
When it happened to me, I used to think " Why Me?". Now, I think"
“Try Me”.
Dear Mel, my mom suffered a rupture in Dec. 2012 with subsequent vasospams which made her aphasic (almost unable to talk), her vision on the left side was also impaired. It got better with time. It’s important that she exercises both her vision and memory or whatever it is that the annie threatened. The brain is a miraculous thing and the more she works, the better her chances of recovery. My mom is now absolutely fine, oh of course she stumbles on a word or two sometimes, but no one can notice except me cause i know her so well be happy that she is not paralysed and have faith that neurological impairments CAN be overcome! Best of luck!
Hi Melanie, first of all I’m sending hugs and prayers your way. My mom suffered two ruptured aneurysms when I was just 12, and 9 yard later she is doing amazing. That is not to say that things aren’t very different, but see take each and every day as a blessing and are thankful for everything we get to do together, no matter how different she is. Feel free to personal message me if you’re like and we can talk on the phone- there’s so much more I can say to you but for now just keep your head up and stay positive- a long road is ahead, but you will have the strength to help your mom get to her full potential.
I too suffered a ruptured anureysm and survived. They coiled the anureysm but approx 3 weeks later I suffered a brain stem stroke. I have memory loss, nerve damage, visual damGe, lost my taste buds , sense of smell. Each day is different , I had to have a shunt put into place about 1 month after the stroke. I hardly ever sleep, I always go for the good days …my prayers thoughts with you and your family
8 weeks is just the beginning of the healing process. It can go on for years. The brain makes new connections when a person repeatedly tries to do something. Thus effort must be made and your mum should expect results over time, not right away. But she must try otherwise nothing happens. I know it's frustrating. My husband went through 2 rehab programs, one in-patient and and one out-patient until he did not make any more improvements. That's when insurance cuts off. I hope your mum can go to rehab it makes a big difference.
Outcomes vary wildly. In my case after my aneurysm ruptured and was coiled I had memory problems, slow speech, headaches, vision problems, and was senstive to light. Three years later the light sensitivty is no longer an issue. Vision is good. When I get tired my speech can get slower but otherwise okay. Memory is still a problem from time to time but I have learned to go easy on myself and not get frustrated. The biggest thing for me was to work with a speech therapist . They address memory too. The work was hard but worth it. My biggest advice to your mom would be pt works but you really have to work at it. We survived a brain aneurysm rupture. Whenever I get down I recall that. This is how it is now. It beats the alternatives.
The main thing is for you to be there for your Mum. Do not be impatient. Each person recovers at a rate that is theirs alone. Recovery can, and seems to, take a bit of time. My aneurysm did not rupture and I was coiled nearly three years ago. Nearly all of the problems that I suffered have gone away by about 90% to 95%. I had hearing problems, balance problems and memory problems along with some pretty tough headaches after the coiling. Thankfully, the headaches are gone. I found and read a book written by a young lady that suffered a rupture and some pretty severe effects. The book answered many of my questions and helped me (and my wife, who had to tolerate me) understand the various side effects and we learned to not be impatient. I am not trying to sell a book for anyone but I would really recommend that you visit a library and get the book "Rebooting my Brain:How a freak aneurysm Reframed my Life", written by: Maria Ross. It can be found on Amazon if you cannot locate it in a nearby library.
My Mom also had a ruptured brain aneurysm in April 2013. The only thing I can tell you is that it takes time (always more than you think), patience, prayers, and trust in God. But you can tell your mother about my mother's story. That might help too. My Mom (78 years old) was sent home after the coil embolization and she seemed fine. There are several conditions that can develop. Short-term memory function, vision problems being just a couple. My Mom developed hydrocephalus, a condition where there is too much cerebral-spinal fluid in the brain. This caused loss of memory and sleepiness. She had to go back in to the hospital. It was a long process through re-hab and some stints in the nursing home, but over time the condition was brought under control and her memory improved. But this took a long time (eight months in my Mom's case), and quite a bit of physical and occupational therapy. Trust the medical care experts on this, they know what they are doing. Because my Mom spent a lot of time in the hospital and in the nursing home she lost muscle mass and needed a walker to get around at first. Then she went to a cane. It took months for her to get her mobility back. In June 2014 she was able to return to her home. So that's just over a year since the initial aneurysm rupture. She's driving now, pedaling on her exer-cycle for 15 minutes twice a day, and doing many of the things she did before. I just got off the phone with her and she said she was actually out pitching and putting on the golf course. A year ago I would not believe that this would be possible. It is a grace from God. So, you see, with patience, love, and faith it is possible for your mother to get her life back. I will pray for your Mom and your family. May she experience the same kind of healing that we witnessed with our mother.
I also survived a ruptured SAH in Dec 2011. I had mine clipped and I spent 3 weeks in the hospital and after 2 brain surgeries I walked out of the hospital. My memory was also shot a little bit as well as my eyesight. The eyesight came back within a couple weeks. The memory issues were a lot slower but they did come back.
My father had a ruptured aneurysm over 2 years ago and just came home in Aug. It is a slow recovery but a good supportive family makes all the difference in the world. My father also has impaired vision on the left side but has learned to adapt to it. He is able to read more he says his vision has improved but we're not sure if it has or not or it's just him adapting to it. My father's left side was affected too which left him with limited mobility on that side he wasn't able to walk for almost a year after. He has dreams about going out for a walk in their neighborhood and wishes he was able to that but he can't. He's happy to be alive as we all are, things are different and we all have learned to change with the times. Good luck to your mother in her recovery and keep encouraging her.
Hi Mel - I too had a ruptured aneurysm and coiling in June 2005 at age 46. Just eight weeks post rupture your Mom is in the very early stage of her recovery. I had double vision for about 3 months after coiling. Healing and recovery is very slow so please be patient. I was very tired after rupture and took frequent naps. Just remind your Mom to listen to her brain and don’t over due it. My thoughts are with you.
The way she is feeling is absolutely normal. I remember wanting my old self back. I think I’m finally there. It sounds like she is doing extremely well right now, considering what she has been through. The problem with her eyes and memory will likely resolve themselves in time. Just remember that the brain takes a long time to heal. In your mother’s case it might take a couple of years. Be patient and loving. It sounds like your family already provides this. Do not give up, and trust God to give you back your mother, in time. You will all be in my prayers.
be happy that she is not paralysed and have faith that neurological impairments CAN be overcome! Best of luck!