My Neuro's office called this morning and we have set the date of July 28 for my craniotomy and clipping. My gf just asked me why do it now, why not wait 5-10 years and have it done. I tried to explain but for some reason I don't think she gets it. Then I got to thinking, well, why not wait. Why have the surgery next month? Can I get everyone's thoughts on this> I would really appreciate the input.
Daphne
Jim said it in a "nut shell"...they weigh the risks of waiting and surgery...and make a decision...
You have my prayers...!
Cyber ~ Healing Thoughts Colleen
g2 the dr and present this question to ur nuerologist…along w/gf so she will know the importance of doing it sooner than later…its usually pretty simple…life or death…sorry to put it so blundtly but its really a call of “do you wanta take that risk?” NOOOOO…prayers goin up for u n a speedy recovery…your gonna be fine…
Daphne...please forgive me...I will sound/read stupidly...I do not not know what a gf is??? If I let long-term memory pop in...I would think ground-fog...then realize I mean ground hog...and, then sit here stupidly...
I do not believe there is a plausible reason to await treatment....except that as an aneurysm grows larger...it needs more coils.. and profit to the supplier... a/w/a many more f-up monitorings by angio, CTA / MRA..personal symptoms/emergencies...and putting volumes of radiation in our systems...if there is f/up monitoring...
I am too critical to pass on more here and now... nor my interpretation of a f/up ..
Lastly, let me state this is all my personal opinion/assessment ...non-degreed and non-licensed... tho very experienced...
Please talk w/your neuro-specialist to support your decision... I personally would recommend it be done early...If you had a tumor (malignant or benign) diagnosed...would you be asked / recommended that it be left alone for growth? I have been repulsed by local neuros telling me there is no comparison...because so many of us , particularly with coils, never secure relief of pressure in our brains...i.e. coiling does not reduce size...
Daphne, I am not attempting to overwhelm you, but to have you consider the benefits of acting now or later... and to ask your neuro-specialists... for recommendation and...why...the recommendation... i.e. what supports that rcommendation...not from me ...the non-degreed / non-licensed...tho hideously experienced... in coiling
Please know / sense / feel / you have numerous prayers and hugs surrounding you ... for your right decision from explanation to support your decision ...
Hugs,
Pat
pat a gf is girlfriend just like bf is a shortened abbreviation for boyfriend…
My girlfriend’s rationalization for waiting is that right now I have a known quality of life. I risk that by having the craniotomy and clipping. If I wait, then I have X number of months/years of a known quality instead of risking stroke/death with the surgery next month.
Daphne...you have stated this so well; on the other hand, please make an informed decision; i.e. call and ask for another appointment and ask your neuro again for his/her explanation as to the benefit/need for it now, based on current size, location, etc... There is a lot of difference on X number of months vs years.
There are number of people here who have had the small aneurysms for years w/little to no change/advancement seen in their follow-ups; others who are in the monitoring process...
Prayers for you to make an informed decision.
If your doctor says next month then maybe its the right thing to do
Daphne, I understand to some small extent to what you are asking, but like alot on here, I side with if they say to do then do it. As a father of a 9 year old who had an aneurysm with successful surgery with 7 clips, his life was saved by the doctors who decided what was best. As Pat mentioned, it could grow, rupture, or who knows what else. My sons aneurysm grew from 1.6 cm to 2.5 cm in a matter of 4 months. We never knew this until the surgery was completed. He never even got any headaches during that 4 month span. So, who knows what made it get worse. All said, they originally wanted to do it in July. Would he have made it that long? Who knows. If you have questions, I’d ask because you dont want to wait then have it rupture and then you are in for a whole nother world of problems that hopefully you can make it thru. God bless & prayers for you in your decision.
Oh no, I have to agree with your girlfriend. Mainly I feel this way cuz A. I’m a chicken, and B. Ignorance is bliss. Like many of the other members on here, I would definitely ask the Dr more questions starting with 'why the hurry?) Secondly, if you don’t feel completely trusting of this Dr and the diagnosis get a second opinion. Good luck on your decision. I’m sure you’ll make the right one.
Dr's don't usually recommend this kind of surgery unless it's 'needed'. Food for thought. Not trying to scare you but this is the mother of surgeries (exact words from neurosurgeon). You can be sure if you have a date for surgery, it's needed. I think your gf is afraid of the outcome, of course she is. All family members go through the same thing and so are you. I had a craniotomy in Feb., there are times I wish I didn't have to go through that because yes, I'm not the exact same person I was prior to surgery. HOWEVER...I"m here. I'm still getting to know the new me and my new normal as we all talk about. I think you need to take comfort in knowing that your surgeon knows whats best in your situation. Please keep us updated. Hugs.
Tina
Michelle... I thought bf was brain fog on this BAF site!!!! Ohhh, thank you for directing me...Only Jim may find a cartoon for this one...
Now, you may know why gf confused me...in my bf...
Jeff...I pray that you connect/share w/other parents of children w/aneuyrsms...and promote connection for others...
Forgive me if you have shared ...(and my memory lapsed...) how your son was diagnosed...the symptoms, timing, etc...between you parents and the pediatrician... Any site you (few) parents can set up would be so beneficial for the few others...
With your son not getting a headache...what were the symptoms... things which may help other parents observe...
Blessings to you all...
Regardless of what I do I am scared. I am scared to wait because I know the risk I am taking, and I have already experienced one rupture and SAH. I don't think I will make it through a second rupture. I am scared of the craniotomy because I know the possible outcome(s). I have already made my decision to go through with the surgery next month as I don't think I can live each day wondering if this is going to be the day my brain explodes again. That doesn't seem like a high quality of life to me.
I'm scared. I've never been more scared in my entire life.
i believe ur making the right decision…this is a preventative measure to avoid having another rupture…which i know, can scare the living poop out of ya…lol…i know its not a laughing matter…but sometimes if we dont laugh u end up crying…just know that you have prayer warriors out here asking God to hold your hand thru this process and to cradle you in his arms until youve recovered…prayers going up for healing n strength …your gonna be fine…God’ll make sure of it…STAY STRONG! n try to get u some anxiety meds till then…xanax…ativan…works wonders to help ur mind not to dwell on things u really have no control over///give it over to God…
Daphne...I hope I can say this well to you... I was so stupidly reliant on medical expertise for testing /diagnostics...I had three emegencies in 29 days...attempted to secure an adequate (if not quality) testing immediately following the first emergency...and, I will pass by that quality care...
That you have a neuro w/immediate recommendations, I would have much greater confidence in making my decision...as long as I could ask ten questions...and get at least three resonded to...
Daphne, I personally do not believe in delays...and will drop all thought/opinion here... Please look into yoga , tai chi, acupuncture and more to help aid you thru emotional trauma...I am not a believer in the pharmafia...or the devicamania ...just my personal, non-degreed, non-licensed opinion...
Hugs and prayers wrap around you...