Hi Theresa

I am sorry, I can't give you much information - I had an aneurysm clipped, but it was before rupture. I just wanted to tell you that I am sorry that you are going through this - I am sure that it is actually harder on the loved ones than it is on the aneurysm survivor.

Please be aware that the brain takes a very long time to heal. I can recall (after my clipping surgery) dreaming - on the rare occasions that I could actually sleep - and not being able to differentiate between dreams and reality when I woke up. All of my dreams and my nightmares seemed so very real at the time - although on a logical level I knew once people talked to me.

Please remember that your mother has been through a huge physical, emotional and psychological trauma. Depression is so common and so is mood disturbance, anger and emotional outbursts in the first few months.

I think it is a great sign that your mum is so mobile and that her motor coordination and recognition is so good. I am sure it must be so difficult for you that she is feeling trapped and so defensive about stuff in her past. Just keep being there for her - it is still early in her recovery and it will take time to see exactly what (if any) deficits she will be left with.

Please don't give up hope - even with all of your concerns, it sounds like your mum is a very strong person. If she will let you, cuddle her and reassure her when she is scared or upset. Talk to her and encourage her to share her feelings.

Good luck - it can take up to two years for full recovery to take place (and even then things can improve). Just keep loving her like you do.

Regards - and keep in touch

Lyn

Hi Lynn, this is Jasmine. You mentioned you had an unruptured aneurysm clipped. I am from NSW too and am very much interested to know who your surgeon was and if you would highly recommend him or her. I have a 9mm aneursym in my MCA and had sought an opiniion with one surgeon, however, would like to seek a 2nd and possibly a third opinion. I would like to know your experience with the doctor - and also your experiences post operation - what side effects you had, how long you were out of action from work, and if your cognitive skills were affected. I am really very scared. My concern is that I would no longer be able to do my job that entails a lot of analyses, spreadsheet formulation, use of statistical tools, etc. Appreciate it very much if you can help. Thank you.

Best regards,
Jasmine

Hi Jasmine

I had my aneurysm clipped by Dr Mark Dexter at Westmead Private Hospital, and I will be completely honest - I think he is almost a god! He was absolutely fantastic, and although it was done in 2004, I saw him for a routine follow up last year, and he also treated my friend's mother - she had terminal brain cancer, so her outcome was not good, but once again, he was fantastic - caring, compassionate and incredibly talented - even the nurses love him (and that says a lot).

I was in hospital for nearly two weeks when I had my surgery - I live in Parkes (Central Western NSW) - five hours from the hospital, so they wanted to keep me there to make sure all was well. I also have a blood disorder that causes me to have low platelets and I have multiple sclerosis - so my risk of bleeding was higher, and recovery rate a little slower.

I am a TAFE teacher, teaching business, word processing, spreadsheets, database etc. I was lucky enough to be able to take six months off work - and I confess I REALLY needed it. Cognitively, I had lots of trouble at first with word finding, short-term memory, processing sequential data/tasks, sensory overload (lights, colours, movement, noise). I also found that the fatigue was crushing and debilitating - especially for the first six weeks or so.

BUT IT GOT A LITTLE BIT BETTER - EVERY DAY

And so did I. We all have our own experiences. I don't know how many of mine are attributable to the aneurysm surgery and how much belongs to my MS - although, I think if you check out other people's posts, my road is similar to many others.

Bear in mind, that when this surgery is done in a controlled environment, by expert doctors, it is very safe - the alternative does not even bear thinking about, so consider it an extraordinary gift to have found it and be able to take control.

Lots of people are able to return to a full workload after six weeks - I guess a lot depends on your age and general health. Dr Dexter told me 'not to rush back' to work. Things may have changed, but I was not allowed to drive for three months after my surgery. I guess you will find out about that when it is finalised.

Keep me posted, ask me anything you like and I will try to help. I assume they are talking about clipping rather than coiling??? Let me know.

Regards

Lyn

Hi Lynn, thanks so much for your quick reply and for sharing with me your post op experiences. Sorry I was not able to reply sooner. I drove to ACT to visit my niece who is studying there. Have not seen her for almost a year. Thanks too for recommending your surgeon - I will call his office to make an appointment. I have seen one surgeon (referred by my GP) who had a good look at my MRA and scan and recommended crationomy (not clipping). The radiologist was in his room and also looked at my scans. My aneursym must be fixed by clipping. Coiling was not recommended. To be really honest, I am very nervous. I understand that each person is different - age, health issues, attitude to surgery, etc - but I have read so many post op experiences on the internet and they have similar side effects as you've described. You were lucky you could be away from work for 6 months. I cannot be away that long, I have limited sick leave days earned, but I will take time off work (even without pay) to recover and I will not force myself to return to work when I am not yet ready. I do have a few questions, I hope you do not mind. When you spoke to Dr. Dexter in your initial consulation/s with him prior to your surgery, did he explain to you in detail the possible side effects? I am asking because the surgeon I saw, he was over confident and he kind of disregarded my questions re side effects. I did spell out some issues about possible memory loss, problems with sensory overload, etc. But he cut me shrot and just said there will be no side effects (assuming operation went well and there are no dramas post op) and I should be back to work on the 4th or 5th week after operation. I still want to see another surgeon and will try to see Dr. Dexter too. Then I have at least seen 3 neurosurgeons and would be able to make a better judgement. My other questions - how long did it take before your memory problems disappeared? And how long before you can say you were able to do your job properly without feeling fatigued and with the same confidence as you had before the operation? I have read so many people's comments that they never returned to their old selves after surgery, they never really recovered completely from memory loss, and some had to do different work after their surgery. The driving bit does not really bother me, I do drive but I live walking distance to a train station and there are also bus stops close to my house. Lynn, I would like to correspond with you, is it possible to write to you directly via email? Thank you! I truly appreciate your kindness. Best regards, Jasmine

Hi Jasmine

No problem at all with emailing me - I just tried to email you, using the Neurotalk 'send an email tool' which said that it meant that the sender would then know my email address. If that doesn't work, send me a private message - click on my profile name, and it should come up with 'send Lynn a private message' and send me you email address.

I will contact you from there.

I know you must have a thousand questions. I too had a craniotomy (naturally with a clipping). Where are they talking about making the incision? Mine went from the top of one ear, across the top of my head, to the top of the other ear - about ten inches long in total. Bear in mind, that was nine years ago, and professional practice may have changed in that time - and it all depends on size, location and type/structure of aneurysm.

We all have our own experiences, although as you have already noticed, there are lots of similarites. My memory problems were at their worst in the first few weeks, and improved steadily over the next couple of months. I found crosswords, sudoku (basic level), word finds, trivia quizzes etc really useful. I will never forget being asked post-op what the sum of 15 and 27 was - and being completely devastated because I couldn't answer it for two days - I used to work in a bank - so horrible!

One thing you will notice, is that if you push yourself too hard, you will pay the price in fatigue, confusion, headaches and in many cases, even the development of depression (which has its roots in physical, emotional and psychological causes - and doesn't discriminate).

Still.....you will get past this.....the love and care of friends, family and people who have been there before you, will help.

I look forward to your email, and remember there is no such thing as a silly question (I am not a medical professional - I can only share personal experiences).

Hugs

Lyn

Hi Lynn, thanks for your email sent via neurotalk send email tool but your local sever is kicking back my replies. I do not have sufficient privileges to use this site's send email tool, and when I click on your profile name, nothing happens. Does not show send you a private email. So really lost. *edit* Thanks so much for being so kind. Hope to hear from you. Regards, Jasmine

Hi Jasmine

I will send you another email - I didn't realise it, but my email address was not my most current one.

I have fixed it now, so it should work.

Regards - and hoping to hear from you soon

Lyn