Hi! I was diagnosed in November with a 7mm annie and just this past Tuesday met with a Neurosurgeon at U of M, Ann Arbor, MI. He scheduled me for an Angio the next day and now I'm waiting to hear from him as far as surgery. He was unable to do the angio himself, but his well respected associate did it. My surgeon seems to lean towards clipping and the dr who performed the angio leans towards the coiling. I believe I will be left with the decision, and both my husband and I favor the clipping. I know there are many risks involved with both, and the thought of opening up my head does scare the crap outta me, but seriously, I cannot live with the nagging thought in the back of my head, wondering if the coils will compress, or they don't stay in place, etc etc. But, this is where I am now, how do you deal with the emotional aspect of all this?? That is what is affecting me the most. I've always been strong, taken care of myself, always in control of my emotions and with this, I'm all over the map!!! I am 43 with a 6 year old son, he is my life and the thought of something going wrong frightens me. I know that no matter which surgery option I choose, there will be risks. I find myself so emotional when I think about it, that I try NOT too. BUT, in the same sense, I know I have to, as I expect to hear from the surgeons office within a week or 2. How do you all cope with the wide array of emotions??? I did actually feel relieved after meeting with him and after having the angio done. I'm ready to have the surgery done and move on..I just need to be able to handle the emotional part.
Also, any comments from those who have had the procedures done is very welcome! I have no issues now, other than the occasional headaches. Sometimes quite strong and other times just annoying. Thanks for letting me ramble!
hi Kristin! glad to hear your comfortable with the sugeons associate- that's so important. My mild headaches i think are sinus pressure and my dr seemed to agree. Coiling is much like the angiogram-not so bad. Whatever they decide we are with you 100%, please let us know-i think writing helps instead of keeping it all bottled up inside-keeping you in thoughts & prayers!
Thanks for the support and kind words!!! I'm thinking if I don't hear back soon, I will call and see what is going on. Since it's almost impossible to get the call and go in the next day, Ann Arbor U of M is almost 7 hours from me. I'm actually staying positive, despite the uncertainty of it all. I know it needs to be treated, and every time I look at my young son, it makes me that much stronger. I'm ready to go in and get it over with and get on with life...I'm ready!!
I'm sure its been agonizing trying to decide between the coils or a clipping--but in my case, (clpping for a surprise annie in 1998, coils after a 6 weeks coma in 2006, coils failed within 3 years time and thankfully I was able to make a decision this time around and went with another clipping) the Permanent fix for me is the only way to go if you have that choice at least, and I was so thankful that I did have the choice and am very pleased that I clipped and forsaked the coils--emotionally, I didn't have to wait it out to make any of the above mentioned decisions as the 1st two incidents were pretty well out of my control, the last time around it was an obvious solution as I really never want to have to go thru the coils (or the coils compacting) on me ever again..I hope and pray that you're able to get thru the wait before surgery with at least some peice of mind in knowing that a clipping is considered the Gold Standard in treatment options, its definately more invasive, but honestly I wouldn't want to have to go any other way. Maybe your doctors can give you something to help you relax a little bit beforehand (I had Xanax and it helped me temendously, in retrospect) as the waiting game is the worse part. My prayers to you, Janet
I called U of M this morning, and left message..however the one time I had to restroom this morning the Dr called back!! He is in the OR today, but said will try calling back when he can. His nurse just called and said IF he doesn't manage to get back to me today, he is bringing my case up in a neurovascular conference on Wednesday and will definitely get back to me after that. Wondering what all that means!!?? I certainly hope I have an option, as I will take the clipping over the coiling..just for the peace of mind!! Thank you for all the support!!!