Hi Terri,
I know the lack of information feeling and I have yet to live post op. I cant offer any words of advise on recovery except baby steps. I can draw on experience from past ops but not brain surgery.
Have u spoken to ur GP bout the depression n lack of concentration? Im in Australia and have no understanding of disability support outside Australia... I do know for here with ur GP's help u can get government help.. Where u at?
I hope something good comes ur way. Take care n smile, a little smile goes a long way when feelin blue.
Cass

Hi Terri

I am so sorry that you have had such a difficult time of things. It takes a long time for the body to recover from aneurysm surgery. I had an unruptured aneurysm clipped in 2004 - and it took a LONG time to feel 'normal' again.

Aside from the crushing fatigue, headaches and forgetfulness, your body/brain has been through a massive insult and it takes a lot of time to get back to right.

Remember, you have been through something that is physically, emotionally, and psychologically draining and things like fatigue, hair loss, depression, sensory overload/panic, confusion, memory loss and altered self image are completely normal.

It will happen - you will feel better - but unfortunately, others can't see what you are experiencing (like they would for example if you broke your leg) and because they don't understand what you have been through, they can't really sympathise or get it.

Depression is really common for aneurysm survivors - partly because of what you have been through, but also because someone has been mucking around in your brain - the essential part of you that makes you YOU.

Don't be afraid or self conscious about admitting that you are depressed. It happens to the best of us. I think you need to talk to your doctor about this. Maybe just knowing that others are out there that have been on a similar journey will help you as well.

Regards and thinking of you

Lyn

Lynn,

First congradulations on your son's achievement in school. Thanks so very much for your reply to my string. God Bless you we will make it...won't we? LOL Do you like animals? I do they tend to help me make it through the day sometimes. Puppies, cows, horses and cats it really doesn't matter they seemed to be more understanding sometimes.

Lets please keep in touch, your letter really helped...god bless and have a wonderful day.

Terri

Hi Terri

Well!!! It appears to be a small world Unless I am very much mistaken, it seems that the degrees of separation are much closer than I first believed.

What you have to remember, is, that unless someone has been through the stuff you have, they can't possibly understand. It is something of an elite club that we are in, and for you, even more so because you have lasting deficits and and effects - whereas I seem to have made it out the other side (of the aneurysm thing anyway).

Funny that this is a global site and I have met you.

Please take care - I will be away for the next few weeks, but I would like to get together at sometime to discuss all of this.

Cheers

Lyn

PS the university offers come out tomorrow - I am sure Matt will get what he wants which is great.

Cas Thanks so very much for your reply, if you want to talk more about this with me, just drop me a line and I will keep in touch with you.....god bless you. Terri

Hey Cas,

Thanks so very much for your reply to my string, you are very helpful, if you want ot talk more again on this subject, thanks and god bless you. Terri