My mothers 4.5 mm aneurysm

General personal-stories
21

Hi all -

Looking at the calendar today, it surprised me to see that it will be three weeks since my mom's clipping tomorrow. It feels more like 3 months, but I am glad to report that I have better news since last update. Mom was sedated to control her seizures, and they were finally able to control them after putting her into a very heavy sedation sleep for a few days. However, after they took her off all the sedation medications, she did not wake up and was officially deemed to be in a coma.

We had a few days of absolutely no change and no signs that she was responsive which was incredible scary. They ran several tests and scans to see if there was any bleeding or a stroke or clot but all were clear. However, on May 20, she slowly started moving around and finally woke up - Thank G-D!!! I think even the surgeon was relieved as he gave her a big hug and kiss when he saw her after she woke. She was initially disoriented and didn't understand where she was, but she recognized my father and knew who my sister was. She has done quite well since then - her memories are pretty much intact, although she does not remember the immediate hours before the surgery. She does not seem to have suffered any neurological deficits or other side effects at this point, which is remarkable. They do still have her on one seizure medication, but that is it. She is off of everything else and has started slowly back on soft food. Her muscles have essentially atrophied since she had no activity for over two weeks, so she will be released to a rehab center for physical therapy. We are so grateful that she is now recovering. She is cranky and frustrated and just wants to go home which is great, because cranky for her is quite normal.

We know that there is a long road of recovery ahead - but I am so ever grateful that we have this long road to take with her. Thank you all for the support and kindness you have shown to us. I am so glad to have found this site - and even when I haven't been posting, I have been reading and sharing in your experiences and did not feel quite so alone.

Thank you!

22

Thank God is right! I pray for continued recovery-

23

Hi Autumn, what a difficult time for you all, I had a SAH back in Feb 2011 and at that time they found another aneurysm which I had coiled in March this year, the surgeon said that my second aneurysm also had a wide neck and that they would coil and put in a stent to keep the coils in place, I don't know if this would be an option for your Mum, I do sympathise with your Mum, this last year between the SAH and the 2nd operation seemed like the longest time I was very anxious, I know my children were all very wary of my having the second operation but I am so glad I did it is so much better to get these things before they burst my recovery has been so much easier and the anxiety has lifted, I wish you all and your Mum the very best and hope that you will get the answers you all need, take care and God Bless, Jill xxxxxx

24

Autumn, this update is truly overwhelmingg, and magnificent...including for all the strength and support you have been for her and one another in yoru family.

Hugs and prayers for contineud recovery.

Pat

25

Hi All,

UPDATE - MOM IS HOME!! She was released from the rehab center today after being there for just over a week. She is still very weak (physically) but made good strides at the rehab center. She will need outpatient physical therapy for a while, but she is thrilled to be home as am I.

Aside from the muscle weakness and significant fatigue, she is thus far experiencing no other side effects from the clipping procedure, and tomorrow will be the one month anniversary of her surgery. She will remain on anti-seizure medication for the foreseeable future too.

Considering that three weeks ago she was still in a coma - I this she is showing remarkable progress and I continue to be amazed at how well she is doing. I hope everyone is doing well.

26

Yeah! Good news :-)....I wish there was a "like" button here--cause I would have "pressed" it!

27

Woo hooo!!! God speed to your mom and blessings to the entire family!