Hi Everyone. It is interesting to read of others experiences and see the support that is offered. I have an aneurysm in the base of my brain that will be clipped in four weeks. When I asked the neurosurgeon if there was anything I could do to prepare myself before surgery he said, "not really". What is the opinion of others who have had this surgery? Myfeeling is that if I can improve my physical and mental states that has to help. I'm working on those things but find the anxiety about post op life can get in the way

Hello

This is an incredibly stressful time for you. It's the 'not knowing' that makes it so hard. I had an aneurysm clipped, but it was seven years ago now, and in a different place to yours (peri-callosal artery - in the top/centre of my brain).

I had to wait a few months for my surgery, and I remember the stress and the maybes/what ifs very clearly. It sounds horribly morbid, but one of the things I did was to make sure that my will was up to date and appointed my husband as power-of-attorney for me. I found that this was somehow reassuring - although most likely unnecessary.

I also spent the time tidying my house, cooking and freezing meals (glad I did that - I didn't feel much like cooking in the weeks after surgery).

Most important advice I can give you though, is to do something especially for yourself EVERY DAY - get a massage, go somewhere beautiful and have a picnic with someone special. Eat healthy food - and remember, these guys/girls are incredibly good at what they do, and helping you to a positive outcome is their main goal.

Good luck, thinking of you - I packed crosswords and stuff like that - and found them really useful for helping with my memory and word-finding.

Keep us posted

Lyn

Thanks for responding Lyn and for the advice. It all makes sense

Whereabouts in Aus are you? I am in Central Western NSW, and had my surgery done by Dr Mark Dexter at Westmead Private.

I'm in Sydney and having surgery at North Shore Private. Dr Rodney Allan is my surgeon

I am also having a PCOM anuerysm clipped on Monday, July 23rd I am very nervous and.do not know what to expect right out of surgery or the months to come. Not to mention that two days later July 25th I am having a second surgery on my spinal chotd! Any information or what to expect out of surgery would be appreciated. How much hair will I loose? How much pain are you in right out of surgery? And how big is the incision? How long is the recovery? Any info will help!

Hello Reese

It all depends on the actual location of your aneurysm. Mine was on the top/centre of my brain, and my scar was 10 inches long, with 55 staples and three stitches. It went from the top of one ear right over the top, to the top of the other ear.

I think your aneurysm is at the base of your brain (?????) so it would be different for you.

The amount of hair that they shave would also depend on the size and location of the incision. They took a strip about 2 inches wide right across the incision line. What I did find however, was that I lost a lot of hair about six weeks after the surgery. I would wake up, and my pillow would be really dark with lost hair. Could have been the surgery, could have been the anaesthetic, could have been stress - or a combination of all of them.

Pain-wise, it was better than I thought it would be - they kept me pretty well dosed up for the first ten days or so.

I was in ICU for three days, and on a general ward for another ten, and my surgeon told me not to rush back to work. I was lucky enough to be able to take six monthes off work. I had some cognitive issues, early in the piece, but I was good after the six months. I also have multiple sclerosis, so that may have slowed my recovery down.

Don't be surprised (although it will drive you nuts) if you find your 'processing speed' dramatically reduced, have trouble remembering things for a while and get confused in areas with lots of lights, noise and movement (like shopping centres, parties and stuff).

It is normal, but it will come back, just be patient and remember that if you push yourself, you will pay for it in headaches, fatigue, and even more confusion.

BUT it WILL get better - you might not notice it, but one day, you will think wow I am so good now!!!

Some people have few problems, and get back to work and become fully functional much faster - but far and away the majority of people I know (who have had this surgery) would agree with me.

Kind regards, and let us know how you are going

Lyn

Thank you for all the info. I am very nervous for some reason. I think it is not only the anuerysm surgery scaring me but the fact that I have a spinal chord surgery scheduled two days later. And the feeling that no one understands exactly what I am going through and I feel like a big baby!

Thanks!

Reese

A big baby is the last thing that any sensible person would call you - of course you are nervous, if you weren't then I would think you had much bigger problems to deal with.

This IS a major surgery, it will take a long time to get back to being 100% - and having to face the other surgery on top makes it a REALLY big deal for you to come to terms with.

When I talk about the length of time I took to recover, you have to factor my MS into the picture, but it still takes a long time to fully heal and get over this. I don't know the story behind your spinal cord issue, but I am very sure it is playing on your mind (understatement) as well.

Nerves are normal, and we all went to that 'dark place' especially at night when everyone else is sleeping and it is all quiet. Just don't stay there too long - being positive will help your recovery big time.

Just remember, as I said in my first post on this thread, your doctors are VERY clever and making you well again is their goal.

Please take care, and if I can help in any way, please let me know. It is always so much better to be in contact with others who do understand.

Regards, hugs, and best of luck for the coming week.

Keep us posted

Lyn