My mother's bursted aneurysm

General personal-stories
41

Debra I really like the words, But I'm still here! I have my heart, and that will NEVER change!" It's true, I'll never be the same, but better than ever~ :)

I really need to read that. My 4th surgery really effected my cognitive thinking. Sometimes I feel so ugly and dumb because of what is left of me. The sentence really helped! Again thank you Debra

Sheady
Debra Lynn said:

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. My emergency and surgery was the hardest on my daughters who were grown at the time with husbands and families. They became my biggest support after recovery. My oldest daughter was skeptical and I over heard her in the ICU recovery room say "Mom will never be the same"! I remember thinking to myself.." But I'm still here! I have my heart, and that will NEVER change!" It's true, I'll never be the same, but better than ever~ :)

I wish you all the best, you'll too be your Mothers biggest support~ God Bless, and don't give up!

42

Wacky,

I am sorry to hear about what you and your family are going through. Like many others here, I understand because I have been there. My wife, Debbie, suffered a rupture 30 months ago and her story was very similar to what you describe with your mother. We were slow detecting how serious her problem was. She ended up with very high pressure and they had to drill a hole and drain the fluid around her brain. She spent three weeks in a coma - not medically induced, or at least not admitted to be intentionally induced.

She was a little better, it sounds like, than your mother when she woke up - she recognized me. But she went through an awful lot for the next two months before she was released. Her memory came and went. She remembered things that never happened. There were days she thought she was divorced, she thought she hated me, she thought I had murdered her parents (they're both alive and we're quite close). So the degree of mental confusion might be similar even if the signs are slightly different.

Why outline our own woes in comparison to your own? Because now Debbie is doing fantastic. She had a lot of weakness on her left side. Now it is a hardly noticeable difference. Her memory is better than mine is. She still has some off days. If she gets sick or has surgery the medicines cause her more confusion than they might have otherwise but when she's better she is really better.

Debbie had a lot of side-affects from her aneurysms, one bleeding that was coiled and a second that was clipped 6 months later. She has a tracheotomy and paralyzed vocal chords from being intubated too long and the cuff too tight. She has had several other surgeries as a result of medical complications and errors while she was in the hospital. Even with all of that, even with still having the trach, she is doing great.

She will never be exactly like she was but she fixes meals two or three times a week. She does some household chores, she folds clothes (something I hate; they end up piled on the bed :)). She can talk because her vocal chords are paralyzed in a closed position so she talks to the grandkids and they all love to see her. She was before, and is still, the glue that holds not just our immediate family but her extended family together.

No, she can't take stress or drama like she could before. She can't work as long or as hard as before. She still gets headaches. But she's alive, and she is enjoying life. She loves me, and there's nothing more I can ask for her to be able to do.

I came to this forum while my wife was in a coma and so scared of the unknown that I could hardly function. Now we're 30 months later and life is wonderful.

Hang in there. Be brave. Be strong. Oh, and cover the walls in her room with pictures of the people and the things she loves. That was HUGE in Debbie coming back to us once she was awake.

43

Sorry to hear about your mother. My wife suffered a right side ruptured aneurysm almost 5 years ago. She is much better now but it has been a long journey. Who a person is really does reside in the brain, and when something changes in the brain, the person changes too. Be prepared for that. Your relationship with her will be different. It sounds like there are many success stories so do maintain hope. The improvement follows its own course and pace, but in my wife’s case it moved quickly at first and then slowed down. It’s still getting better, but very slowly now. But it is still getting better. Wishing you peace with yourself and your mom.

44

Hello & blessings to you your mom , you and your family.
My name is Keith . And in 2011. , my beloved wife Carrie ( then 60 )
Suffered a massive brain aneurysm rupture , and full arrest … After a

Normal day … Of sorts.
Her miracle survival and recovery story is for another day… But I will
Gladly share all I can, to both help and prepare you for your " new " ; yet same mom, and your family’s challanges .
The basics you must know are as follows:
All the totality of Your mom, and who she was & is, is all in recovery, repair, rebuilding, rest & relief …at the same time.
The completeness of all that her brain was … At her age, … Was built
By her life . Her brain grew, adjusted, adapted, learned, comforted, and so on… Thru all the years of her life. And now … That computer system (brain ) has been injured & damaged in multidimensional ways…
Her recovery, and future will be like a broadway show of many dementions of her brain, working overtime, to repair and regroup and reorganize her functions, emotions,
Intelligence , motor skills and more…

The problem is , that neither you
Or her can easily determine what is
At hand , or under repair , or in process, at any given moment of time.
Additionally , you must watch for the following things…
Depression and frustration by the truck loads.
Anger… The brain can become very
Upset and angry while recovering.
This is sometimes caused by mental and physical exhaustion, and us also somtimes just a way for the brain to relieve huge amounts of stress and mental pressure.
Try very hard to be prepared for
Outbursts of viscous language and or body activity. Frustration levels can become explosively high.
Learn to comfort simply , music, pillows, a soft hug… Or somtimes
Just space … For hours.
Be prepared to go all the way… With love, support , and care.
You and others will need a support system of your own too.
If you have a religious footing…
Stand on it . Draw strength together…then show her you have it

Do all you can to keep communication working with her.
Open your thinking radically for new and changing communication ideas.

Try plastic toy letters and numbers
… She can spell out words on a table.
Use family photos , town pictures,
And maps when you talk.
Make her comfortable with her favorite music and clothes and colors…
Remember; she is inside trying to get to you… As much as you are trying to get to her.
Her brain is the ultimate computer…
It’s all about inputs & outputs.
You have to put the correct things in…to get correct things out.
And lastly…
Look at her brain like a stack of 50 paper plates…,one for each year of her life…
Now reach in the stack , and chop up 22 plates at random, then stuff them back in the stack…
That’s what she’s working with…
Multidimensional damage…
And her brain will substitute or eliminate or change life long parts of herself… In order to get control and repairs accomplished …

God Faith hope love and our actual friendship has got us thru , so far.
But it’s revolving a 25 kalidascope
Gyroscope platform…
Keep VERY strong, smart & steady.
Consistency is going to be your cornerstone…love will be hers.

Blessings
Keith

45

Hello,I had a bleed in the left side 6 years ago. the aneurysm burst while I was at my dentist office…he got me into paramedics hands and then into our Head Trauma Center Harborview,where they coiled the bleed. I spent 28 days there in a coma, another 6 weeks in a nursing home, where doctors found that a shunt might benefit my situation. ask about a shunt for your mom. it allowed me to wake up so to speak.

My worst problems are terrible vertigo,and that is for the most part just in the early part if my day.I drive my own car,and cook and do mostly everything that I did before that terrible day. Oh I have some memory issues…but hey I am ALIVE, and I have been assured by neurologist I am their miracle, I have no speech problems at all.

I was 62 years old when this happened. please be sure to inquire about a shunt, I realize each case is very individual and different. I kind of remember being where your mom is right now,be strong and know things can and do get better! God Bless! I will say a prayer for you all! Time does make a huge difference,be patient!

46

First thank God mom is alive. I will continues to pray for het. About one and half a year ago I suffered a ruptured aneurysm I had serve headaches,my left side went numb and I vomited. By the grace of God I was conscious and was able to call 911. Being s 911 -operator help me get the help I needed quickly. I arrived at the hospital with no ideal what was going on until the doctors performed a CAT scan and gave me the bad news.I had to get emergency open brain surgery I was told I had a total of 3 aneurysms . anyhow 2 surgeries later life is ok headaches time from time but emotionally I tend to cry occasionally because of the ordeal and the overwhemmess. Besides I still have a small aneurysm on the midpoint of my brain and I am being monitored every 6 months by the endovasular surgeon. God bless your mom and I wish her a speedy recovery.

47



carriesnowflake said:

Hello & blessings to you your mom , you and your family.
My name is Keith . And in 2011. , my beloved wife Carrie ( then 60 )
Suffered a massive brain aneurysm rupture , and full arrest .... After a


Normal day .... Of sorts.
Her miracle survival and recovery story is for another day.... But I will
Gladly share all I can, to both help and prepare you for your " new " ; yet same mom, and your family's challanges .
The basics you must know are as follows:
All the totality of Your mom, and who she was & is, is all in recovery, repair, rebuilding, rest & relief .....at the same time.
The completeness of all that her brain was ... At her age, .. Was built
By her life . Her brain grew, adjusted, adapted, learned, comforted, and so on....... Thru all the years of her life. And now ... That computer system (brain ) has been injured & damaged in multidimensional ways...
Her recovery, and future will be like a broadway show of many dementions of her brain, working overtime, to repair and regroup and reorganize her functions, emotions,
Intelligence , motor skills and more..

The problem is , that neither you
Or her can easily determine what is
At hand , or under repair , or in process,,,, at any given moment of time.
Additionally , you must watch for the following things....
Depression and frustration by the truck loads.
Anger.... The brain can become very
Upset and angry while recovering.
This is sometimes caused by mental and physical exhaustion, and us also somtimes just a way for the brain to relieve huge amounts of stress and mental pressure.
Try very hard to be prepared for
Outbursts of viscous language and or body activity. Frustration levels can become explosively high.
Learn to comfort simply ,, music, pillows, a soft hug..... Or somtimes
Just space ... For hours.
Be prepared to go all the way..... With love, support , and care.
You and others will need a support system of your own too.
If you have a religious footing....
Stand on it . Draw strength together....then show her you have it

Do all you can to keep communication working with her.
Open your thinking radically for new and changing communication ideas.

Try plastic toy letters and numbers
... She can spell out words on a table.
Use family photos , town pictures,
And maps when you talk.
Make her comfortable with her favorite music and clothes and colors....
Remember; she is inside trying to get to you.... As much as you are trying to get to her.
Her brain is the ultimate computer..
It's all about inputs & outputs.
You have to put the correct things in....to get correct things out.
And lastly......
Look at her brain like a stack of 50 paper plates...,one for each year of her life.....
Now reach in the stack , and chop up 22 plates at random,,, then stuff them back in the stack.....
That's what she's working with.....
Multidimensional damage..
And her brain will substitute or eliminate or change life long parts of herself....... In order to get control and repairs accomplished ..

God Faith hope love and our actual friendship has got us thru ,,, so far.
But it's revolving a 25 kalidascope
Gyroscope platform.......
Keep VERY strong, smart & steady.
Consistency is going to be your cornerstone.......love will be hers.

Blessings
Keith
48

hello I had a ruptured aneurism 4 years ago but mine was to the right side I was also in a coma but I had mine coiled and have been fine I still get some headaches but I am sure your mum will recover ok as it will take some time it took me about 8 months good luck and well wishes to your mum x

49

Thank you all for your kind words. They give me strength and hope that I need. We are all very happy that she survived this and will do anything to help her in her recovery. Yesterday she smiled at me and caressed my face. The doctor said that she started moving her right arm. I can not remember the last time I felt so happy. We do realize that we have just started a marathon. It will be a long journey but we are all prepared for that. And now we have a support team on this site. It is really comforting to talk to someone who went through the same thing. I am also sending my prayers and hopes to everyone. I will keep you posted.

50



wacky said:

Thank you all for your kind words. They give me strength and hope that I need. We are all very happy that she survived this and will do anything to help her in her recovery. Yesterday she smiled at me and caressed my face. The doctor said that she started moving her right arm. I can not remember the last time I felt so happy. We do realize that we have just started a marathon. It will be a long journey but we are all prepared for that. And now we have a support team on this site. It is really comforting to talk to someone who went through the same thing. I am also sending my prayers and hopes to everyone. I will keep you posted.

51

i am so pleased your mum is doing ok please give her my regards and I am sure she will be fine x

52

That is wonderful news!!! Please keep us updated and we will all rally around you and your family.

Mavis Betts said:



wacky said:

Thank you all for your kind words. They give me strength and hope that I need. We are all very happy that she survived this and will do anything to help her in her recovery. Yesterday she smiled at me and caressed my face. The doctor said that she started moving her right arm. I can not remember the last time I felt so happy. We do realize that we have just started a marathon. It will be a long journey but we are all prepared for that. And now we have a support team on this site. It is really comforting to talk to someone who went through the same thing. I am also sending my prayers and hopes to everyone. I will keep you posted.

53

Hello, I'm so sorry going through this with your family and your Mom.

Mine was about 1.5 years ago. I had a huge headache for 10 days, on day 11th, I was getting ready for work, I was hot, dizzy, and then I woke up, I climbed to my bed and woke up again and I couldn't even move. I yelled my son to give me my phone so I called my husband (normally, he drives about 30 min from work) and he come home quick.

In the emergency room I had a lot of test and finally told me I have blood all over my brain and my spine. I woke up from my surgery and it was in my left brain and I couldn't talk. I would say "I love you" but that's it. My Doc told my hubby that it's called "Aphasia". I have right inferior quadrant was caused from a mini-stroke.

My recovery will still taking time and your Mom. Prayers for family and Mom Survivor.

54

My sisters annie leaked on the left side and she had similar problems as your Mom. She was in ICU for 28 days with vasospasm frequently which made her disoriented so after a month they put a permanent shunt in the right side of her brain to her abdomen and she started to get better almost instantly. She was 53 when it happened and is now 59 and doing very well no headaches or other problems. She lost some of her taste and smell and ability to handle some life situations but is very well.


Sending many prayers to Mom and you and family and yes I do believe she will recover just be patient and pray! Love to all and God Bless

55

My mothers had a ruptured aneurysm on the left side the day after Thanksgiving 2014. She had no pain or symptoms leading up to it. We found her on the bathroom floor unconcious around 3am. They clipped her aneurysm the surgery went well but she wouldn't follow any commands as the doctors would say open your eyes stick out your tounge. Then she had the vascospasms and the ended up having to operate again. She was on the ventilator because she wasn't breathing on her own and she had to get a feeding tube for nutrition. Once she could breath on her own they did a trach. Her pressure was too high and they ended up doing a shunt. It took a month before she gained simiconciousness and even then she was weak and could only move her right side. She woke up December 20th only to become weak again from having C dif that I thought she would never be able to get rid of. Once she gained full concioiusness she was determined to get out the hospital. When the doctors talked to her she would never respond and they told me and my dad their was no hope for her. They said she would never have use of her left side again. She only responded to family she couldn't talk so she would get frustrated if we couldn't figure out what she was saying. She had to learn how to do everything over again (eat, talk, walk) She was determined to get out that hospital. She pushed herself to no end even though it hurt. She did not want to use the bed pan so she made the nurses get her up to take her to the bathroom. They couldn't believe she was able to even sit up let alone stand. She would do her own exercises while in bed and she wasn't supposed to get up but she did so they had to keep the bed alarm on. She was released from the rehabilitation center in February. When she got home she was supposed to use her walked but she refused and used a cain. I was so nervous but she didn't let anything get in the way of her recovery. Dispite what the doctors said would be the outcome she now has 100% use of her entire body. She went back to work in June. The only issue she suffers from is short term memory loss, but who doesn't.

56

So sorry to hear about your mom.My mom had a ruptured aneurysms in 2010 she is now 87 and doing pretty good still has headaches.hers was in the front she also had it coiled.She was in icu for about two weeks then to rehab.She had trouble walking,talking and grasping things.I thank god everyday for her.I'll be praying for your mom and your family.

57

Blessings Charmain to your Mother she is a true fighter and God has sent us a true miracle to follow!! Thank you for sharing this Wonderful Story!! God Bless!



Charmain said:

My mothers had a ruptured aneurysm on the left side the day after Thanksgiving 2014. She had no pain or symptoms leading up to it. We found her on the bathroom floor unconcious around 3am. They clipped her aneurysm the surgery went well but she wouldn't follow any commands as the doctors would say open your eyes stick out your tounge. Then she had the vascospasms and the ended up having to operate again. She was on the ventilator because she wasn't breathing on her own and she had to get a feeding tube for nutrition. Once she could breath on her own they did a trach. Her pressure was too high and they ended up doing a shunt. It took a month before she gained simiconciousness and even then she was weak and could only move her right side. She woke up December 20th only to become weak again from having C dif that I thought she would never be able to get rid of. Once she gained full concioiusness she was determined to get out the hospital. When the doctors talked to her she would never respond and they told me and my dad their was no hope for her. They said she would never have use of her left side again. She only responded to family she couldn't talk so she would get frustrated if we couldn't figure out what she was saying. She had to learn how to do everything over again (eat, talk, walk) She was determined to get out that hospital. She pushed herself to no end even though it hurt. She did not want to use the bed pan so she made the nurses get her up to take her to the bathroom. They couldn't believe she was able to even sit up let alone stand. She would do her own exercises while in bed and she wasn't supposed to get up but she did so they had to keep the bed alarm on. She was released from the rehabilitation center in February. When she got home she was supposed to use her walked but she refused and used a cain. I was so nervous but she didn't let anything get in the way of her recovery. Dispite what the doctors said would be the outcome she now has 100% use of her entire body. She went back to work in June. The only issue she suffers from is short term memory loss, but who doesn't.

58

Hi,

As I read all of the replies, it is all too scary how often this happens. I too had a brain aneurysm that ruptured. Mine was a grade 5 which is the worst possible. I was in a coma for over a month, not medically induced. I was in an inpatient rehab (away from home) for 1 year. I went from not being able to move, eat,speak, respond,etc.. to now walking with a walker/cane, speaking, eating, independent at home. I went for 10 months without being able to speak or eat. It has been 3 years and I am still working at recovery BUT it can be done! I too was told I would never survive, and if I did, I would be a vegetable. What I have learned along with my family is that the Brain is a miraculous organ. No-one can predict the future (not even the Doctors). The best thing you can do for your Mom is to make sure she gets the best care possible. Skilled Nursing Facilities aren't the best choice, unless they specialize in Neuro Rehab. Make sure you find this for your Mom. This will make all the difference in the world. My wife actually relocated me 2 1/2 hours from home for 8 months to make sure I could get the proper care. I will never be able to re-pay her for that! It is hard and it sucks, but you have to take extreme measures for extreme events. I wish you all the best! If you ever want to chat more, I would love to help!

Keep the Faith,

Todd

59

Hello. I am so sorry to hear about your mother's rupture...but I am encouraged by the progress she is making!! I know how difficult this time is; my mother suffered a ruptured aneurysm (right side) in October 2013 (she was 55). Her story sounds very similar to your mom's.....the week prior to the rupture my mom was suffering headaches, neck stiffness, and unusual back pain. I, like you, now believe her aneurysm had been leaking. My mom had the coiling procedure, spent time in ICU, and time at an inpatient rehab facility. At 15 months post-rupture my mom is now doing wonderful and has even returned to work!

Hang in there! As everyone is saying, the brain has the amazing ability to heal itself but it just takes time. Each persons story and progress is unique, but I do believe your mother will make a wonderful recovery.

Please try to take care of yourself (and have your father do the same!)....when my mom was in the hospital we heard many phrases such as "take care of the caregiver" and "this will be a marathon, not a sprint" These words were so true. This will be a long journey...not only for your mom, but for you and your dad as well.

One thing I wished I had known during the process was in regards to the confusion/agitation phase of recovery. Once my mom began to recover medically, I wasn't quite prepared for the confusion/agitation/change in personality part of her recovery. My mom is normally a very calm and peaceful person, but during her recovery she experienced a time of not only being confused, but getting frustrated and agitated with us (when we wouldn't let her get out of bed, etc.) Even though the doctors told us this was normal and would get better, I often worried that I would never have "my mom" back. I am very happy to say that the doctors were right...my mom's sweet disposition returned and I have my mom back. :) So please try to remain hopeful, even during times when it seems like the recovery is at a standstill.

Many prayers and blessings to you all

Melissa

60



Irene Rush said:

Blessings Charmain to your Mother she is a true fighter and God has sent us a true miracle to follow!! Thank you for sharing this Wonderful Story!! God Bless!



Charmain said:

My mothers had a ruptured aneurysm on the left side the day after Thanksgiving 2014. She had no pain or symptoms leading up to it. We found her on the bathroom floor unconcious around 3am. They clipped her aneurysm the surgery went well but she wouldn't follow any commands as the doctors would say open your eyes stick out your tounge. Then she had the vascospasms and the ended up having to operate again. She was on the ventilator because she wasn't breathing on her own and she had to get a feeding tube for nutrition. Once she could breath on her own they did a trach. Her pressure was too high and they ended up doing a shunt. It took a month before she gained simiconciousness and even then she was weak and could only move her right side. She woke up December 20th only to become weak again from having C dif that I thought she would never be able to get rid of. Once she gained full concioiusness she was determined to get out the hospital. When the doctors talked to her she would never respond and they told me and my dad their was no hope for her. They said she would never have use of her left side again. She only responded to family she couldn't talk so she would get frustrated if we couldn't figure out what she was saying. She had to learn how to do everything over again (eat, talk, walk) She was determined to get out that hospital. She pushed herself to no end even though it hurt. She did not want to use the bed pan so she made the nurses get her up to take her to the bathroom. They couldn't believe she was able to even sit up let alone stand. She would do her own exercises while in bed and she wasn't supposed to get up but she did so they had to keep the bed alarm on. She was released from the rehabilitation center in February. When she got home she was supposed to use her walked but she refused and used a cain. I was so nervous but she didn't let anything get in the way of her recovery. Dispite what the doctors said would be the outcome she now has 100% use of her entire body. She went back to work in June. The only issue she suffers from is short term memory loss, but who doesn't.