Well, this is a new journey I guess!

On Sunday (4/11/21) I had an MRA to look for vasculitis and they told me that it would be 7 to 10 days until the report was completed, when it was released the next morning I had a feeling something wasn’t favorable, I just never imagined that it would be a superior hypophyseal saccular aneurysm of the right carotid artery! I am in still in a difficult limbo of knowing that it is there, but having to wait for insurance to approve me seeing a neurologist about it! I’m only 34, already battling cancer and trying not to ruin my kids childhoods by letting this take me down!

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Welcome @GlutenFreeMama to our group, we are glad you found us. The first thought that crossed my mind is you have a friggin lot on your plate, you must be an incredibly strong, young woman! My family has a close relationship with cancer which sucks. But I know that those who keep positive have had a good outcome, those that don’t have more struggles. Same goes here for our members, those with a more positive outlook are more able to combat the anxiety and stress of an incidental find or even a rupture. So please try to stay positive, you have a lot to live for with those babies of yours!

Insurance is a needed beast and we never know what they are going to decide. I’m hoping the best for you. I also hope when they do give their ok, that you find as wonderful a specialist as I have been able to. It’s very important for us to find a doctor that “clicks” with us.

The only advice I can offer is to make yourself the priority and then your children. We can’t do anything for others if we don’t do for ourselves. Rest when you need to, teach your children well after all they are the most resilient humans I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Children are amazing. They know when we tell them stories, they are much better with understanding the truth of things in their own ways, they are very attuned to the stress we have as adults. You are giving them an experience of love and understanding of strength, what better gift can a parent give!

Sending you positive energy and please stay in touch
Moltroub

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I’ve cried a lot this week, I’m sick of having rare diseases! My aneurysm seems to be rare so I really can’t find too much to read about it, according to literature it makes up only 1% of all total aneurysms! I do well staying hopeful and keeping things as normal as I can, I want my kids to remember how magical their childhood holidays were not how yucky mom felt!

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Crying is not a bad thing @GlutenFreeMama, not at all. It’s one of the ways we release stressors. Just continue to try to see the beauty in each day, one day at a time. Having a couple of rare diseases myself I know how daunting they can be. Instead of fighting them, I honor them and just say, I’m a rare individual indeed! I do have to admit some days are easier than others. I realize I can’t control the rare diseases; however, I can control my outlook on life. I keep trying to find the positives, allow myself a limited time to dwell on the negatives, and enjoy one day at a time.

Just remember we are here for you!
Moltroub

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Hi @GlutenFreeMama! Just wanted to wave at you and join @Moltroub in what she wrote.
We are here - you are not alone. :heart: Listen to yourself and your needs, this is more important now than ever.
Hugs to you.
Iris

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To GlutenFreeMama,
Praying for you, trusting all will be well. We are all here to offer support. Please remember this is a place for you to vent, and ask questions. Through my journey, the support and caring I received here was a tremendous help, and I’m grateful for each and everyone here. May you feel comfort in the days going forward.
Blessingz~

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Welcome to the club that no one really wants to belong to Gluten free mama. You are not alone. Mine was found very similar to yours, as they called within an hour of my MRA. I was pretty stunned, and very scared. You are in good hands now that you know it is there. Believe it or not, we are the lucky ones. I had mine coiled within a month of finding it. Please, resist the urge to Google too much, it can cause so much added stress, and its best to wait for the doctor’s to give specifics.

You sound very strong, please don’t worry about ruining your kids childhood. They are so lucky to have you. We are allowed to have down days, and be less than perfect. Just be gentle on yourself.

I was told to not strain on the potty, not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk and watch my stress level. Also, call an ambulance if I experienced the "worst headache of my life ".

I trusted that God revealed it to me for a reason, and I gave it to him to handle. Perhaps you could try that, if you believe?

Please stay close and let us know how you are getting along.

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Thanks you guys it means a lot, this has been a lot different than my cancer journey, it is very easy to find support in the cancer community not as easy to find anyone else who’s had an aneurysm! I get to meet my neurosurgeon on May 12, I am optimistic and excited to discuss treatment options, I guess when you were born to be a zebra you just have to keep on going when the hits come and I’m grateful I’ve found you all to talk to. :zebra:
The Doctor that diagnosed me seemed so upset about it, but really I’m grateful, it could’ve gone undiagnosed and ruptured. I was supposed to go skydiving for my sisters birthday next month and also to celebrate my one year anniversary of being diagnosed with cancer, so I could’ve been skydiving two weeks from now without knowing any of this, I have to be grateful!

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Hi @GlutenFreeMama
I just want you to know that I am thinking of you. You are not alone. I myself have found much support in this community. I wish you all the best :pray:t2:

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@GlutenFreeMama skydiving sounds like a blast! Talk to your doctor and see if it’s okay. Don’t let the aneurysm run your life, take life by the horns and live it!

All the best
Moltroub

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I asked about flying for vacation and she joked I shouldn’t skydive or anything but driving for vacation is fine so I’m going to pass, I won’t get a chance to talk to my neurosurgeon until after the trip is over. It’s ok.

Oh that sucks! I don’t blame you for passing on the skydiving. After my second repair attempt, we were on our honeymoon and I wanted to hang glide, BH made me call the Neurosurgeon who actually called us back! She said I could do anything I wanted, she wasn’t going to set any more limits on me. We went to get a ride and they were closed due to the weather, I was disappointed but we found many more things to do! It’s still on my bucket list and one day I will do it!

Best,
Moltroub

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Hi GlutenFreeMama!
I’m sure we all understand about finding something going on in our heads. I’m coming up on 5 years this May of finding out I had 4 aneurysms. 2 on the left side 2 on the right. Had 3 Pipeline stents on the left one month and 6 weeks later 2 more for the right. I also asked about travel as my 3 sons gave me a trip to Hungary. My doctor said sure you can go but don’t let anything hit you on the head! He’s a wonderful guy and I’m so glad we had him. (my neighbor is a nurse manager of his!) I’m also a cancer survivor. It’s going on 29 years. I thank God I’m here everyday. As others have said say positive and be comfortable with your doctor. Wishing you all the best.

MiMiB

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Hang in there! They found my aneurysm at 38. I have two young kids and went through a similar processing period. Perhaps still am! I keep reminding myself that I’m lucky that they found it before it ruptured, and that we can treat it. Try not to google too much - the nature of online writing means you’ll see the extremes where people feel compelled enough to share. Take care of yourself! For me, seeing it as a blessing that many aneurysm survivors don’t get has helped immensely.

Oh, and I flew to South America between the scan and seeing my neurosurgeon. I was just told to avoid really heavy straining like extreme weightlifting !

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Hello @GlutenFreeMama ! You are one tough mama and you will get through this! You are only 34 and have a whole life ahead of you…cancer hasn’t stopped you and nothing will. I’m just glad your annie didn’t rupture, that’s a whole other ball game! You will most likely get it coiled and all will be better. Getting these MRI’s are actually a blessing as my wife has told me, because we now know what’s going on in our heads…the not knowing like her and many others is in the world is what’s concerning…Sending warm wishes your way, you will beat this and keep smiling, I’m sure it looks good on ya…xo

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Greetingz Tori!
Welcome to our support group! I have been a member for quite some time. I will be praying for you as you go thru your journey. I was 41 yrs of age with an 11 yr old son hwhen 2 aneurysms were found. I had coiling and craniotomy for one of them. I am now 62 yrs of age. I say this for you to know, believe you will come thru this and your other health issue, healed💜You now have a wonderful group of people here to support you as you go thru. Please stay encouraged!

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