It sounds like you been through a lot.Hurry and then have to wait.If possiable what I would do is get second opinion.Your positive and that helps with the worry.Hope you find more answers.And that it gets easier to find out right way you should go.I have had so much support from this group.
Good wishes coming your way.
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Thank you so much for your reply. I’m still waiting as there have been some doctors offices on holidays. Hopefully specialist appointment soon.
I usually go to England for the summer to further my education, but due to all this, I’m stuck here in Canada for awhile. I love both countries, but nothing beats an English summer! I fill my day spending time with family, friends and especially my dog!
Hope all is well with you.
Cheers,
Bertie
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Sounds like we need to put England on our list of possible vacations. Summers in N.C. are not fun…too much humidity.
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The humidity in my part of Ontario can become unbearable at times (well, at least to me!). I love England around this time of year. I do miss it, but hopefully my life can resume it’s yearly cycles next year. I very much recommend seeing Oxford and the Cotswolds, my “summer home.”
Cheers,
Bertie
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My Doctor called. I have an appointment to go over the latest scans with him on 22 July. Until then more waiting!
Bertie
Well that’s just ten days…You Can Do It! I prescribe early morning walk abouts with your pup, lots of hugs, and don’t forget a good cup of tea…lol
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All 3 are on my list of things to do! 
Bertie
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Well I got the results of my second MRA yesterday and it looks like there is a fenestration with a small outpouching. They are not exactly sure what exactly the outpouching is yet. I am still on the list to see the neurosurgeon this year, but since everything looks stable, I might be waiting a bit. The radiologist suggested yearly scans.
So more waiting…
(On a side note, a very good friend took me out to lunch after my appointment and then we went to see the movie “Yesterday.” One of the best movies I’ve seen in awhile. I highly recommend it if you need a break from life!)
Cheers,
Bertie
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Very glad to hear all is stable! 
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I received a letter from the neurosurgeons clinic today. I have an appointment on 2 December. It seems like a long wait, but everything seems stable. I just have to keep my blood pressure under control. So far diet, excersie and the medication my doctor has prescribed have been working. I bought a fitness tracker that has a pretty accurate blood pressure monitor. (Just one or two numbers off my blood pressure cuff) Well I just have to be good and be patient.
Cheers,
Bertie
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It’s not always easy to be patient…
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I wonder if it significant that this all started when you had your busy day volunteering in the cemetery. I know that lifting heavy objects is not advised and I wonder if that was part of your volunteer day. The other things I have been told to avoid is pushing something heavy and being constipated. My PCA ruptured when I went from an overheated room to a cold street. No one ever said that was a factor, but I wonder. You already know about smoking and high blood pressure. I have a long family history of aneurysms, diagnosed and sudden death strokes, so I feel your anxiety. The only thing to ask about is whether the risks of waiting to treat are greater than intervening now. Treating immediately is not always the safest option, when ‘watch and wait’ might be safer. They may be reluctant to go in, because your anomaly on the MCA may be especially complex to intervene. I suspect we have all had to deal with what is the best option balancing risks and benefits, since neither option is perfect. It’s not always clear cut. Be kind to yourself while waiting!
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Very true. I’m trying to stay busy. I just keep being reminded about the whole thing when I get a headache. I’ve channelled some of my anxiety into painting a model of a red dragon, of which I’ve named Tamadad, part of the Arabic term for aneurysm. I thought it better to picture it when I get anxious later than a small blob on a screen.
I hope my coping mechanism doesn’t sound too weird.
Cheers,
Bertie
I’ve wondered myself if it was tied back to the volunteer activity too. I don’t know what they maybe thinking, but I think I’m starting to come to terms with everything (diagnosis and life changes). Maybe these 6 months are a dry run to future “watch and wait” protocol.
Thanks for your post.
Cheers,
Bertie
That sounds like a great name! I’m glad you’re keeping busy, it helps! You might like to do some pyrography and paint those as well. I’ve seen folks use the oil colored pencils and their work is beautiful!
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I may look into that! I will post a pic when Tamadad is finished.
Cheers,
Bertie
I’m excited to see it!
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Well, I go see the neurosurgeon on Monday. The nerves are starting to set in. I don’t like hospitals. I have all the paperwork they asked for and some questions written for the doctor. It will be just me at the appointment, so I’ll have to keep it together to make sure I ask and understand everything being said.
Over the last 6 months I’ve stuck to my low-sodium diet, increased some low-impact excersie (yes, including walking my lovely dog Peyton more) and lost 20lbs. I’ve distanced myself from one branch of my family as a self preservation… I should have put up boundaries years ago!
On the downside I feel more isolated than I ever have. I don’t see or talk to my friends as much as I used to. I know they are busy, but things really fell off when I had to go on my diet and stop drinking. I think it’s awkward for them, especially as most socializing we did occurred at restaurants for dinner. My roommate (who happens to be my sister) moved away for school. She comes home at weekends, but it’s still a lot to keep up our house by myself. (Especially as my doctor did advise till everything is sorted, not to lift anything heavy)
It feels much like a lyric from The Weeping song “The World Spins Madly On,”
‘The whole world is moving/
and I’m standing still’
I know I’m very fortunate, but all this waiting to find out what all this is, having to put my life on hold, and now being so alone in all this, it’s just worn me down.
Well thanks for listening to me ramble. I have no one to talk to about this and I think my nerves are over taking me. Many thanks to everyone on this board for all the information and support.
Bertie
P.S. I did finish my aforementioned dragon. I will post pics in the art section tomorrow!
Or be a patient.
So true Ms. Mary