anxious about aneurysm
 

Hi my name is Narelle I live in Melbourne Australia, I have a wonderful husband and 3 gorgeous children,my story is,

I had 4 steel poles fall and strike me on my head back in October 2010, after this happened i ended up with a bad case of concussion, which I am still dealing with today.
My GP has sent me for 2 CT scans and both came back ok, he then refered me to a Neurologist, whom ordered a MRI.
This has shown an 8 x 7mm ICA aneurysm with a 2.5mm neck.
Although I don't know if that is big, small or in a a somewhat normal range as far as aneurysms go, I have seen a Neurosurgeon and he has requested that I see a Neuroradiologist to see what operation would be better, clipping or coiling.
My Neurosurgeon has informed me he'd like to operate within the next few weeks.
I am extremely anxious at the prospect of surgery and the outcome, I am also very anxious as the Neurosurgeon said the aneurysm is at risk of bleeding and I am home during the day by myself.
I can't seem to get the fear of it bleeding or rupturing out of my head, I am not sleeping , if anyone has any advice as to how I can get past this at least until my surgery it would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Narelle

Hi Narelle, I totally understand where you're coming from. I had a mild stroke about 6 years ago and an aneurysm was found. They would have never found the aneurysm if I hadn't had the stroke. It was small, about 3 mm, and he just wanted to watch it for awhile. I've been going for routine angiograms ever since. About a year ago after this test, my doctor informed me it was time to do something about it.

I would push for the surgery as soon as possible so you don't have to wait and worry any longer than necessary. That is definitely the hardest part. I had mine clipped and let me tell you, it was not NEARLY as bad as I was afraid it would be. I had a heck of a headache, but they managed that well with medications. Fatigue was a big issue, but I have other things going on as well (figromyalgia and possible MS).

I hope they can take care of ths ASAP cause I know how worrisome it can be. In the meantime, I would take it easy and try to find something to occupy your mind. Do you like to read? That always helps me.

I know how scary it can be. I've since developed two more small aneurysms that they're watching, so I may go through it again. I guess it's genetics? Although I know of nobody in my family that had this problem. Please try not to worry; I know I have a lot of confidence in my surgeon and that helps me alot.

Let us know how you're doing and I'll be thinking of you.

hi , thanks for your reply, my Neurosurgeons receptionist rang yesterday and I should be seeing the Neuroradiologist next week. I saw my GP yesterday as I am stressed big time over it. he has refered me to a Pshycologist.
I am hoping I have input into what type of surgery I can have, as my neurosurgeon said in his opinion the aneurysm looks like a good candidate for either clipping or coiling, he did say to me that if it was coiled I had a chance of needing a 2nd operation later, so if this is the case I'd much prefer the clipping.
I am getting stuck into jigsaw puzzles, that works for a little bit.
I feel for you going through all that and then to find more, omg i would be on edge, you seem to be a very brave person, good luck with it all.
I will let you know when I get my surgery date, and how I progress.
Thanks again.

Hi all, just an update,
I am still not sleeping, feel sad, angry, nervous and all of the normal emotions that seem to run with aneurysms.
I just wanted to let you know where I am at as of today 22/3/11, I have seen the Radiologist and it has been decided that my aneurysm shall be clipped.
I am seeing my Neurosurgeon on Friday, hopefully he will give me my operation date. (soon the better i think)
until my next update, I'll keep chugging along
Take Care
Narelle

Hi Narelle,

I've been reading your posts and am wishing you well for your upcoming clipping. Let us know when you're scheduled for your surgery.

As to how you're feeling, have you thought about writing a letter to your aneurysm, fully expressing exactly how you feel, what it is doing to you and what impact it is having on your life? After you have written it, it can be very therapeutic to then burn the letter, imagining that all the emotions and feelings are being released along with the letter. I know it may sound a little daggy or "out there", but it really can help.

I do understand how scared you are feeing right now, but try not to let the fear control you. Try to live in the moment, find the beauty in the small everyday things, draw strength from those you love, and remember that you are strong, and you WILL get through this!!! Have faith in your NS and in yourself. :D

Nat xx

Hi Nat, thanks alot for your kind words and advice, I took part of your advice for the moment, I wrote the letter to my aneurysm, and in doing so i felt alot better afterwards, I plan on burning the letter the morning of my surgery, which I am pleased to say won't be too far away I have signed all the paperwork for surgery and my Neurosurgeon says i am a catagory 1 patient so I shall be definately operated on within the next 30 days. they are meeting this coming Thursday and will schedule the op then.
thanks again
Narelle

Hi Narelle

Which hospital are you going to ?
I went to royal melbourne hosp last year to get my aneurysm looked after and they were wonderful

Hi I am having my clipping done on Tuesday 4th April it looks like, i will be done at Monash in Clayton.
I go there Monday for my pre op and they said they'll tell me for sure if it's tuesday.
So nervous right now

I fully understand Nelly.
I was the same.
Have faith in the doctors ,they will look after you, they do these every day and please believe that you come through this!
I dont wont that to sound like I am dismissing your fear. I was trembling like a leaf as I went in to mine, the next thing you know I was asking the anaesthetist why I hadn't had the procedure, when in fact I had.
i look back on everything that happened last year and it seems like so so long ago even though other aspects of the year seem like yesterday.

You will be amazed at how "with it" you feel after your procedure

Get as much sleep as possible before you go to hospital cause not only will you be woken up every four hours for observations,the unfamiliar noises will keep you awake.

Thanks for that, it makes me a little more at ease, my children have told me to look at it as a vacation from the housework lol. I am strong, i'll be fine i hope. I am pleased all went so well with you i can only hope for the same, until next i'm online, look after yourself and thanks again xx