I had a ruptured Aneurysm, waited 4 days to go to the hospital, and had it clipped in 2007 when I was 21 years old. The Doctor (who was amazing) tried to give me a "realistic" set of expectations.. '6 out of 10 die before they get to hospital, some of the survivors stay in a coma after surgery, the 2 left can basically qualify for disability if they want for the rest of their lives.. I asked him best case scenario and he told me that if I'm lucky I'll get 30-70% of my cognitive ability back. I had a year left of college and I asked if i would be able to handle going back. The Dr. actually recommended that I did not go back and if I did, maybe just a class to try it out (because sometimes people get depressed that they can't do what they once were able to do).
WELL.... I went back and got all A's in every class and finished on time at Rutgers College. I did not retain things as easily as I used to that first year back, but after I graduated, I moved from NJ to San Diego, and have been living the happiest life I can imagine. I don't feel like I am any less intelligent than I used to be, and I actually feel like the situation made me a wiser person, with more perspective, probably from almost losing my life. I have taken several licensing exams, and learned entirely new industry skillsets for different occupations I have had since I moved out here. I went from the mortgage industry, to finance, and have been designing and selling solar energy systems for about 5 years now. i also live a very active lifestyle with no limitations.
Don't let anyone tell you how your recovery will be. You are in control of your life, your mind, and your outlook on life. Many people went through what your wife went through and didn't last 5 minutes. The fact that she is still here means she's got a lot of living left to do. Sometimes in the beginning I felt less articulate, as if a word was on the tip of my tongue but I just couldn't get it out... then my friends and family reminded me that that happens to them all a few times a day anyway! Be there to remind her that nobody is perfect and not to blame regular, human things that we all experience on the aneurysm. Nobody is the same, and nobody's recovery will be exactly the same but I'm sure you will love her the same no matter how things turn out, and you should remind her of that if you haven't already. But, I'm sure you have ;-). Good luck, and lots of love!
-Garrett Blasko
P.S. If you or your wife ever have any questions or just need to chat with someone who's been through it before, please don't hesitate to reach out. Garrett425GMAIL.COM
It is so great to hear from someone with the same outlook I have on this! I had a rupture in 2004. It went for a week before they found it. I had the clip and clamp also. I just got my Associates Degree Cum Laude and I to refuse to be disable. I was laid off from my job and have a problem getting a new one, which is why I went back to school. But I still hunt, scuba dive, ride 4-wheelers and everything else. I too tell people I am not any less normal then they are and although they say I can get SSI, I refuse!!!
Nate, I had my surgery in September 2012. Almost two years ago. I still have trouble with short term memory. I don’t know if it will ever improve. I also still have some balance issues when standing or walking. I cannot look up or to the right without losing my balance.
I am so glad that hour wife was able to return to work ~ that is wonderful news. Also happy that she has you to help her through all of this.
Congratulations on your amazing recovery. I think your comments hit the nail on the head. All of us who are on this site are indeed survivors, and I think your comments support that we are because we have chosen our paths to be just that.
I find the brain is an amazing organ and can do much if given the challenge.
I could relate to you remarks, as when the doctors would give me a prognosis, I would thank them, think about what they had said, but decide for myself what it is I wanted for me. It was not to be disabled!Perhaps I do things differently, however, they do get done!
We would describe my wife's case differently. She is a fighter and did commit herself to rehab once that was a possibility, but she is alive today because God gave her life, not because she chose. She was not expected by medical personnel to see the light of the next day. The ER doctor himself stated that the decision that she live was not made on earth. She doesn't remember the experience of the aneurysm bursting, nor the first month thereafter. We are grateful and have received great mercy. I wrote a book about my wife's experience, and we called it appropriately "Mercy for Me." We can't describe it any other way.
Some Doctor's are so full of themselves, not paying attention how they are communicating bed side manners pretty much they have to be taught, there isn't anything any of us can say to make you feel better just keep your faith and all that matters is that you have your wife, and all is well enjoy it and don't sweat the small stuff. I just found out that I have 2 aneurysm's and a malformation, and yesterday my took my 4yr old for an mri and mra, he to has a malformation 1 and some other defects in his brain that I can not get into at the moment. The point is Enjoy your life with your wife receive the blessing and just go with it. You sound like you love your wife so much. She is blessed to have you. I hope I have helped you in some way. Blessings to and your family.
Hi Nate. I appreciate your post ; it's finally given me the push I need to contribute to this fantastic site. This community sure helped me in significant ways get through a ruptured aneurysm, myself. I hope I can help you and your wife.
My aneurysm occurred in January of 2011. I was clipped the next day and stayed in hospital for a couple of weeks. Recovery seemed slow at the time but looking back on it I realize that it just required a lot of patience. My husband and my family (and this site) gave me the love and support I needed to know that I was going to get better. It took about a year, but that's because I should have done some physical and emotional therapy. We skipped those steps. I wasn't in physical pain the whole year just suffered from some distracting pain, balance, short-term memory, and lack of focus - like stuff. I also experienced anxiety for the first time in my life.
This experience wasn't a huge surprise because I'm the fourth in my family to have an aneurysm. Mine was a rupture, the others were not. Three of us were clipped. We are ALL survivors living good to great lives. We are all in our fifties. My sister's was almost twenty years ago. She's an active and very successful attorney. All four of us work.
I know this sounds simple, but be patient, my friend. I'll bet your wife gains more progress if she allows herself the time and if you continue to be supportive. It's a pretty traumatic thing, as you know, on her and especially on everyone around her. You sound like a terrific guy and your post says a lot about you and how much you want to see her get better. She will -- count on it. Just think about what it was like in the beginning. Think about how far she's come!
Again, this site is as good as it gets. Fellow posters are being candid, which is key, so continue to read it but be sure to live your life, have your wife live hers and enjoy every minute of it. It's worth it. Don't read the site every day. And remember how lucky your wife and I are that we survived and had people like you in our lives to make sure we did. Thank you for that.
Last thing ... yup, I still have some short memory issues -- not a lot but it's still there. I'm over it!
My Husband had his in April of 2013. He is unique because what started out as a small bleed if there is such a thing and they thought he would come out of it as if nothing happened . They transferred him to two other hospitals and before they operated it was 11 days and he re-bled . so it became emergency surgery. five months later the first Nero surgeon told me you don't usually see this much brain damage except in car accidents. which is the long way to get to my pointe. My neighbors husband was in a car accident that he ended up with severe head trauma. 9 months in a coma. he was not functioning then. fast forward 5 years and you would have to be paying close attention to the subtle problems to know they were there. he is graceful in movement and clear in conversation perception looks like it is all right even though he has left side deficits. My husband in the last 10 months has made great strides though still severely brain damaged my neighbor is my inspiration because they have walked the road I travel now and it keeps getting better. unfortunately my husband only has me to do any therapy at all. He would be much further ahead if I was able but on our own he still improves.
One surgeon told me that he was as good as he was going to get. that's not true and every day I see something new he can do . I miss the old Ron, But I am thrilled for the new Ron that he has improved so much. I am so lucky to know someone who went thru something like me, I am inspired to do everything I can to help
Nate, I am 11 years out. Had mine clipped before it ruptured. My short term memory has always been a challenge since surgery. It did get some better. I have to really work at some things, like when I park somewhere I have to really make it a point to look around and remember things around me so I can find my car. Trust me, you may be frustrated,but your wife is 10 times more frustrated than you are. I still get aggravated at my family when I forget where my cell phone is 10 times a day, or telling them the same thing over again and they get frustrated with me. I wish I was the same as before surgery, but I am not. Not to say my life isn't pretty normal, just a new normal. Patience, Patience, Patience. Hang in there. Robyn
To make a long story short I suffered a cerebral brain aneurysm Oct. 2003. I had 3 clips and a shunt in place. The doctor is right, my short term memory is what I still have trouble with today. I carry with me a pad and paper because is I go to familiar or unfamiliar places I need to write down landmarks so I don't get lost. I find that I get disoriented easily and at times have trouble finding my way back. I am stubborn and am always testing myself wherever I go and usually refuse to ask for help. That tell me I have come along way and am doing well considering I spent 2 months in the hospital and a year of rehab. Had to learn everything, reading, writing,& feeding myself. I consider myself very, very blessed. It's been a struggle but I tell myself life could have been worse. I still recall that I could not remember how old I was or the ages of my 3 children. My life has been an adventure since the aneurysm but, I am glad to be here to tell the story. Just not sure if I have the facts straight, always have to ask someone around me who knows. My biggest complaint is that I have never really regained my strength and energy to it's fullest. I am always tired and sleep alot when I am home. I don't do well on vacations either. Glad I go to work, that's what keeps me going. Well enough said. Also don't sleep well either and my concentration is everywhere. Thank you for listening. yolanda
2/11/12 - since then some things have gotten better slowly. But I’m still finding related issues. When I got home there were things I thought were very wrong. Everyone kept telling me it would go away. Two years later most of those things are still there. Not to mention PTSD up the wazoo. It’s much less likely there will be improvement after 2 years. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any. However. It’s highly likely that you’ll have to accept a new normal.
I can surely relate. I was told to have a neuro-psych evaluation which I did... a month or so after I was out of the hospital. The evaluation came back saying I should wait a little while longer to go back to work.... I had already been back for a couple of weeks. Some of the questions on the psych evaluation I wouldn't have known before the aneurysm... not too much into historical figures. I think I was a couple of days away from being able to collect disability from my employment but I decided to go back to work... I think that helped me more than anything, just getting back into the swing of things.
Like you said some words didn't come to me as quick as previously but that all got better after some time. I know I rested a lot more than I did previous to my rupture but I needed it I'm sure!
My doc told me 12 months was the magic number. When I hit that, I sort self-assessed, and realized that though my short term memory wasn’t perfect, that was the ONLY thing wrong with me. And if that’s the only thing I (or my family) could complain about, then I was one VERY lucky woman. Any time I doubt it, I come to this site. Then I know for sure.
A second neurosurgeon told me that 12 months isn’t even close. Improvements/changes can be seen as far out as 10 years! So don’t look for what your wife doesn’t have. Thank God for what you both have.
Well said Becky, keepin it real!! is what it is, go with the flow etc etc Why do these sayings apply to us so well? {{sigh}}ps, yep I recall the old landmarks better than the latest!!
It is not always possible to predict the level of recovery that can be achieved in the case of a stroke or TBI. That depends on many factors. But after hundreds of cases by clinicians using neurofeedback with stroke patients, it’s clear most people can achieve significantly greater recovery than anyone expected! My son is an example of that. Although I agree that understand your limitations or having realistic expectations are important ( the new norm ), the brain is an amazing organ and there is a lot or research to be done. My son had a grade 5 subarachnoid bleed and major stroke. He spent almost five months in ICU in a comma. He woke up blind, lost 70 pounds, could not move, swallow etc....... He continues to improve and he is close to two year out. If anyone is interested, the brain center is doing amazing things with remapping.....my email addresses for those who want to talk off line is ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■. I come to this site about once every two weeks or so.
I had my aneurysm rupture in September of 1999. I haven't had any problems with short-term memory. During the first year, I had problems concentrating and found it difficult to read a book. But that only lasted a year. I'm back to 100% and read several dozen books a year.
I had my ruptured aneurysm on Feb 14th, 2008, the doctors told my family I only had a 5% chance of surviving and now after a coil, a re coil, a stent and a craniotomy to clip a second aneurysm I am just like new and can say I am just about the same as before this nightmare! It took years to get things back, longer than 2 years.....so I give you and your wife the hope that it won't be done at 2 years but with the right attitude and the will to beat this just hang in there keep working at recovering because it can happen, I am living proof. God bless you!