My story - unruptured aneurysm

General
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Hi all, I’m based in South London, UK.

I was admitted to hospital back in May with an abscess on the right side of my parotid gland, which, as it turned out, was actually a benign tumour. More about that later!

During a CT scan, a 7mm unruptured aneurysm was discovered — and incredibly, it was spotted by a junior doctor.

I was then called in to see the neurosurgeon, completely unaware of what the appointment was actually about. I assumed it was simply a follow-up regarding the abscess. To say I left his office in a state of shock would be a massive understatement!

That was on 12th June, and last Thursday, 6th August, I underwent my endovascular procedure. I’m now back home recovering and, to be honest, still wondering what the hell happened!!

I’m absolutely in awe of the whole department. From the care and kindness I received in ICU and on the ward, to the almost blasé disposition of my surgeon — who somehow made the whole thing seem completely routine!

The NHS has been absolutely amazing and, quite literally, saved my life. I can’t thank them enough.

My speech is still a little wobbly and my walking isn’t quite back to normal yet, but I’m feeling better every day. I’m a bit bruised and battered too, but I’m okay.

I never imagined I would ever find myself in this position. The whole experience over the last few months has been incredibly emotional, surreal and, at times, quite overwhelming.

And, of course, I’ve still got a follow-up with ENT regarding the tumour, which they’re looking at removing in September!

The joys of getting older, I guess! :joy:

Thanks for taking the time to read my story. The last few months have certainly been pretty intense!

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16 August 2026 big welcomes!
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Welcome Paul! Thank you for sharing your story. It’s good to read that the NHS has worked in your favor as we’ve some members that have a whirlwind experience. For our members who may be as ignorant as I am about the parotid gland I found this Anatomy, Head and Neck, Parotid Gland - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf and going through a handful of YouTube videos, I like this one best https://youtu.be/-jGuydhbE3A?is=HtvsRJsVSuwh-jMd probably because 1) she’s not an AI voice and 2) she explains learning processes with coloring, using both sides of our brain! 3) she’s has a calming but obviously loves teaching.

At this early stage rest, proper hydration and sufficient protein are your friends, check with your consultant on how much and remember we need electrolytes as well. Don’t forget to follow your discharge instructions. Because I’m curious, if you don’t mind, where was the aneurysm located and did they use your femoral or radial artery for access?

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Welcome @VeryTallPaul (your name just makes me smile :grinning_face:) -

Talk about a bait and switch - no wonder why you are still in shock over what the heck has happened to you to learn that you also had an aneurysm and then to still have to deal with the tumor.

Around here, healing can take place not in days or weeks, but months and years - but of course, the longer times often relate to those who experienced a rupture. The important thing is to be kind to yourself, as you have been - and will continue to be - through a lot.

Like you, I had (mostly) endovascular procedures, and it never fails to amaze me at what they can do. Even more - that just from that tiny little scar what they accomplished - to run all the way up into your brain for imaging, install stents or coils, etc. etc. Then for that tiny scar to heal over - still it’s amazing! Medical science is just fascinating!

I presume that you are on something like Clopidogrel for the next period of time - is that right? Since we are getting the tiniest hints of the change of seasons here in the Northern Hemisphere, and are entering in our dry season, instead of our summer humidity, I did have one or two bad nosebleeds. Using saline spray helped a LOT. Of course, I still had the periodic bruising, but at least the nosebleeds were much much easier to handle.

It is so very good to have you hear with us! We’re here to listen as/if you need to chat, just let us know how we can support you!

Fin Whale Fan :whale:

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Welcome to the group, sounds like you have been through it and you need to give yourself time to heal.

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