Welcome! You'll learn so much from from BAF and feel so supported. Altho my ruptured aneurysm occurred in 2011 I only joined BAF recently (denial). While I've never been a smoker, don't beat yourself up too badly-I was a daily wine drinker and like to blame my rupture on this!!! Who knows?
It really does get better over time. Rest as much as you feel you need to- your brain needs to heal. Grieve your loss and then move forward. You sound like a strong, courageous woman.
Hi Maria, I just joined this site a couple of months ago and just reading everyones stories has helped me tremendously. My aneurysm ruptured May 29th 2012. My surgeon says i am a walking talking miracle. I was 41 at the time and smoked on and off through out my life and i liked to drink wine in the evening. I also suffered a stroke. My surgeon told me i was born with mine and no matter what i did, it would have eventually ruptured. I am so fortunate my daughter who was 12 at the time didn't panic and got me the help i needed. I am very fortunate that my only lasting effects are short term memory problems, time warp and my right ear and eye are very sensitive as well as the right side of my head. My hardest thing was admitting i had PTS (post traumatic stress syndrome) and admitting i needed to see someone for it. I am glad you found this site and hope you find it as helpful as i did.
Welcome, Maria! It has been 3 yrs. since my annie ruptured, SAH and stroke. Spent 18 days at the hospital then sent home. Like you, it was very hard for me. I was working as RN and could not believe it would happen to me. Of course I had a long history of headaches, did not smoke, would exercise 3-4 times a week, watched what I ate, fairly active and drank occasionally. I was older when it happened. To this day, I still have some dizziness and balance problems on & off. I could not drive long distance, especially at night. My eyes are sensitive, glary. I was a mess! But today, I think I learned to embrace my limitations, enjoying my time with family and close friends, thanking God for rescuing me. You will adapt to it also. Give yourself time to heal and be patient with yourself!