Hello! Thought I would introduce myself. I stayed up until 1 in the morning to read all the informative posts! I am so relieved there is this haven for us to come to and laugh, cry, and hope together. This has definitely been a roller coaster event in my life.
On December 27, 2011, I was driving to work. As I crossed a set of railroad tracks a pain so intense struck me. I remember thinking "holy crap" (use the other word) and putting my hand to my forehead. I have never felt anything so intense in my life (other than a kidney stone maybe). I don't remember much after the railroad crossing though. Next thing I know is someone is talking by the door of my truck and I opened my eyes. I didn't move my head because my head was still in great pain, but my foot felt like it was on fire. As I looked straight ahead I saw branches. I remember thinking "I am alive."
The good samaritan is on the phone with 911. when he got off, I asked him to call my husband and proceeded to tell him the number. Fire dept came (they were less than a mile away) and extracted me from the truck. That was painful because of my foot feeling like it was on fire.
I kind of remember my husband showing up in the back of the ambulance - but he had to get out and go to meet me at the hospital. I remember them telling me they were aircasting/splinting my foot and then they proceeded to give me some pain meds. I was out like a light.
I am lucky they chose the hospital they did. It was the third one they picked. This hospital has some well-known neurologists. I am thankful everyday that they sent me there. All I remember of the ER was them say "Amy, we are giving you the flu shot, okay?" That is it. I woke up two days later. My mom told me that the first day I was crying and saying I wanted to see my kids grow up. It was hard for her to hear me talking like that. My husband was asked if I had a will - not sure if that is standard or not - but he freaked out - I am thankful his sister was there for him at the hospital.
They coiled my aneurysm. The doc told me I had an awful one in that my bump had a bump so it looked like a heart. So I always think I have a heart of titanium in my forehead. One was leaking/burst and the other had not. I don't know the sizes or anything - haven't really looked. They believe mine was a rare occurrence and maybe caused by an infection; although, they are not sure what type or kind of infection (greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeat). They are not worried about any of my family members being scanned because the one I had doesn't follow the pattern. My mom did get scanned though and there is nothing. I believe my brother will to as well to double check. I worry a small bit about my kids, but will see how that goes.
I spent almost two weeks in ICU before going home. I had to have a blood transfusion as well. My foot ended up being dislocated, so I had to have a cast for 5 weeks. I have more trouble from that than anything else right now.
My days are up and down on how emotional I get.