Not that I took life entirely for granted before, but I definitely don’t now. I appreciate the real relationships I’ve got and it’s helped me weed out the relationships that weren’t worth a flip. It’s also helped me keep technology in perspective and really focus in on what truly matters. It’s human nature to sort of go through the motions, day-to-day, never really thinking deeply about whether it might be your last day. I’m also incredibly grateful for this forum and to know that I’m not alone in this experience.
7 Likes
All I can say is amen, Amen, AMEN!
I haven’t voiced this before but I really feel like it is a blessing in so many odd ways, while not minimizing the horrors of it all.
I have a much stronger sense of my good relationships (bad ones are gone), a healthier balance of life, better appreciation, and all of you and other new, wonderful people to boot! What more could a person ask for?!
Ok, hopefully some whale watching soon ..then life will be complete! 
Fin Whale Fan 
6 Likes
Hello c0nsilience. Welcome. I know exactly what you are talking about. I very much remember talking with another survivor shortly after my rupture (within a year) and we both agreed that it was a blessing in disguise. It forces you to put things into perspective. Hopefully only worry about the small stuff.
While I can say that was the philosophy then, I am almost 7 years out. A lot has happened since then. I try to maintain that perspective, but sometimes I am annoyed at the small things. My family has commented that they think that some of my personalitiy traits have changed. I am less tolerant. I have different goals. Sometimes, I can see their perspective, other times I am not sure. Sometimes, I feel like things are back to normal (before rupture) and I forget that I had this #$%^@ aneurysm. But I am reminded soon there after when one of the lingering after affects is recognized.
Anyway, I am glad that you care able to see the perspective in a good light. Continued good luck to you.
3 Likes
I agree with this 1000%! Spring 2024 was the worst at work (I work for a seed corn production company…the seeds we grow are what farmers plant next year). My ex-boss and his son had two different agendas that ended up with us bidding production way cheaper than it needed to be but it increased the volume of production. Spent the whole growing season busting my ass only for them to tell us mid season that they sold the business and just disappeared. I got to deal with the fall out with my customer base within 6 hours of finding out and the stress that came with that. I was also going through fertility treatments to start a family with my husband. We got married in 2018 and didn’t start trying till 2020. Then Covid put that on the back burner until 2023. My rupture happened 3 weeks after that announcement and another failed fertility round.
Luckily, the company that bought us handled my whole medical situation with grace and compassion (they paid the portion of my salary that disability didn’t cover). The rupture happened 10 days before seed corn harvest started and they told me to focus on me and not work. They made sure my husband was doing okay too. They also learned how much I was carrying on my shoulders to make sure the old company stayed profitable. Even 9 months later as we start a new production season (we started planting on Sunday), people are still checking in to make sure I’m ok and not overdoing it.
We’ve also put off starting a family, focusing on myself is the number 1 priority. We may just be dog parents to our 3 goldens. The rupture, 16 days in the ICU, and recovery has been eye opening and I’m truly grateful to still be here and turn 40 in a few months!
5 Likes
I completely agree. I have a slightly different condition but it brings the same risks as a brain aneurysm and yes, I completely agree.
3 Likes
I agree with you! Since my rupture 2 years ago, I had to retire because I couldnt do my job anymore. I also moved out and left my husband and dont drive anymore. My family says I seem so much happier now. Best wishes!
3 Likes