My Story
 

As many of you know I had two Annie's in 2004 coiled & clipped. Before and after surgery I experienced right side weakness but it turned out I had a stroke a month after the last surgery. I was left with disabilities that included foot drop/face,arm,neuropathy,speech problems.It took me 8 months in a leg brace,9 months of PT/OP/SP to start to move forward.It's almost five years in Aug. and I'm still not able to work,still on SSD and still have short term memory I worked hard to get back where I'm at today,I pushed myself out of bed,out of the house. I practiced walking everyday with my brace and forced myself to walk without it. I am now able to walk without the limp because I was determined...took me time but I did it. I had months of set backs dealing with the neuropathy,both legs,arms feet some day's couldn't walk across the room. I had the numbing,burning,and tap water felt like it was acid on my skin. Now I see a doctor and get help for this...still I try moving forward. So as time moves forward I've learned from so many of you no matter how bad it is or how much you hurt you have to think positive,you have to move forward. This past June while flying down to AZ. to see my son and grandchildren the plane dropped 100's of feet from the sky injuring five people.I was one of them which set me back again with three bulged dis and a tear in my back. With the help of family and my Annie friends they got me back on track always reminding me I can do this. If I just laid there in pain and not try I would still be on the couch today. The friends you make on this site or any site are with you forever,through the good days as well as the bad. The Annie friends I first meant five years ago all thirteen of them are my new family. We have helped each other all these years and our whole group email everyday. When a few day's go by and and we don't hear from one we go into the email mode faster then we can read them. LOL that is how close we have become and some of these friends have moved to this site also,love ya guys.
But I'm getting off the subject of moving forward.....so

Good example,my younger son would stay in his room playing video games all day while looking for a job. I said how are you looking for a job when all you do is stay home all day in your room? His answer was he put some application's out in the job market and if they want him they can find him. I had to explain to him they won't come knocking on the door looking for him,he had to put the time into this. He had to think positive,be determined and push himself out of bed everyday,out of that room to get where he wanted to be.Today he is working and trying hard to keep his apartment but reminds me that it was me pushing him out of his room to try.
He told me this Christmas that he tells everyone,his friends,co-workers that his mom is a survivor.And said "Mom I see you as one of the strongest people I know, after all you have gone through you are my inspiration" first time I ever heard my son say that and it made me cry. Many people have shown that same determination after the Annie journey, some still find comfort yet in that room.

We are all here to support each other with positive remarks,answers,and kindness. I will always show empathy,love and give you my hand to hold in the darkest times.But I will not stop pushing you to get up and move forward,to get strong again,to not lose hope,and to stay positive to get your life back...this I will not do.

ooxx
Mimi

Hi Mimi

Great to see you posting again. I know you and your positive attitude will be wonderful for all of us - to annie survivors and especially to people who are new or are scared of what this horrible monster can do.

Hugs

Lyn :)

Thanks Lyn you have always been there for me. Now if we can get some more of the ladies here this site will be full of information.
ooxx
Mimi

Mimi...any chance you can copy and paste that great letter from the brain over here? I recently became acquainted with a woman who just learned that she has a brain tumor and see the surgeon on Monday.

I like to direct her here. Thank you. :hug:

Mimi

Its good to see you posting on here again, I cant thank you enough for the support and help you have given me over the past five years. Your positive forward thinking has helped me through the dark days and although I know your anuerysm journey I have reread your story, which should be an inspiration to all.

your friend in England

pam

Posting the letter now...send her over.

ooxx
Mimi

Wow Mimi, you've been through the mill, haven't you? But your progress and determination is inspiring :hug:

Hi Beth....I see your icon shows scared? Why are you scared? Did you have a coil done? How are you doing? And yes I have had my battles and still here. My family and Annie friends that have gone through the same are what keep me going.It's easy to talk to people that have been through the surgery and know what you are talking about when you ask did you feel this,or get that. I remember asking if anyone had ridges on there nails,or hair loss and when people said "me too!" I felt so much better LOL We use to share funny stories about our short term memory loss,you had to laugh we had some good ones.

ooxx
Mimi

Hi Mimi,
Ooops... just changed my icon! I was feeling scared the other day; a few reasons really! I'm going for coiling & stenting on 11/2 & I was having a bit of a wobbler about that, although I'm usually fine about it... apart from that I was fretting over my vision problems, which is a little silly & ungrateful of me as they're annie-related and unlikely to get any worse - and once it's stopped deteriorating after the op I'll be fine (I've lost about 1/3 of my visual field)! There was a bit of a family problem too & I felt I was being totally ineffective (daughter at Uni 300 miles away was feeling lonely & homesick & I felt I failed to comfort her).

I probably shouldn't have short-term memory probs because I've not had a rypture; however my neuroradiologist told me I'd probably had small "leaks" over the years. And oh boy, I certainly have the memory problems... and an attention span of about 30 seconds at times :D. It's often really funny; last night my husband and I were chatting and watching Tv, and he replied to something I'd asked him. I sat there & pondered for a minute, but to no avail. Eventually I had to say "You know you've just replied to me? Erm.... what did I ask you?".

You have to laugh, don't you? :laugh:
:grouphug:

Beth
I didn't have a rupture either but still ended up with short term memory. I would have to ask my husband three times "what did you ask me?" and walk away repeating it so I could remember what I was just asked.LOL
I know it's hard to say don't be scared...I was scared but when it's done you will be back here sharing what you have gone through and helping the next person. Beside the 11th is the date I had,also the number 11 was my surgery room,elevator to surgery,my birthday,my son's birthday,and the day I meant my husband ...and we married on the 11th. It's a good number I'm going to start a thread about memory stories...it's not so scary when you see what others have done and very funny.
ooxx
Mimi