NARRATIVES
TALK TO A
ADVICE
Established April 15, 1995
University of West Georgia Disclaimer
10 June 2003
I have been having migraine headaches for about 2 years. The one that I had on July 5. 2002 may be the reason that I am here today.
It was fourth of July weekend and my husband and I were heading up to Michigan for a fun weekend at my parents summer home. I had felt a migraine coming on so I decided to take Imitrex to abort it right away. I took it and 30 minutes later, the right side of my body went numb. Eventually, the numbness disappeared. When I returned home, my general doctor sent me to a neurologist to get my migraines under control. This summer was also different in that I was getting migraines more frequently and more intense. So off to a neurologist. I was diagnosed with complex migraines and started on a regimen of medication to help prevent any future migraines. An MRI and MRA study were ordered for me to "rule out" other possibilities of why I was having the complex migraines.
My insurance would not approve the MRA but did approve the MRI. I went to get the MRI right away, never thinking that an aneurysm was a possibility. The MRI results showed a "signal abnormality" but an MRA would be helpful to decipher the results. Now my insurance company had to pay for the MRA. By now I was worried. What was going on inside my body? I did not feel sick. I had the MRA scan on a Friday and found out my results on Monday. I had a 4 mm right carotid opthalmic aneurysm!!!! I was devastated. I felt they had read the wrong film. I was at work when I received the news over the phone. I didn't want to tell my husband. My neurologist now wanted me to get a CT angiogram and see a neurosurgeon. What, a brain surgeon???? Me, I'm only 27 years old.
I think my first visit with my neurosurgeon is when I came to terms that I had a ticking time bomb in my head. My surgeon is fabulous. He explained all of my options, but first wanted me to have an angiogram. I had that on 9/12/02 and the results confirmed that I had an aneurysm but it may be a slightly bigger than they thought.
One of my options, was to wait and have a annual CT angiogram to see if it was growing. The risk of rupture, based on the size and my age, was less than 1%. Wow, I have better chances of getting hit by a car!! But this bomb in my head was consuming my life. It was all that I could think about. I hid my feelings very well from my family and friends. I knew my inner support people and that is who I relied on for support.
I made my decision to have my aneurysm clipped. I also had the option of coiling but decided to have the clip. What a terrible waiting time. My mind wondered into thoughts that no one should have to think about. What if I am the percentage of people that will have a stroke, be blind or even die!! This is what I thought of every single day until I went into the OR on 1/20/03.
I had a VERY SUCCESSFUL clipping performed on 1/20/03 at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. During the surgery, they found that my aneurysm had a very weak, extra head on it that could not be seen on any scan. I was very lucky to have made the decision that I did, otherwise it could have ruptured at an early age. I had an excellent recovery. I am now back at work as a Pediatric Nurse.
I feel that there is a reason behind everything, you just have to believe. I thank God everyday that I am alive. I had a lot of faith that has helped me through this nightmare. I am fortunate enough not to have had a rupture. I thank God for my husband, my family and friends for all of the support and prayers that they have given me. Without them, I would not be as strong as I am today! Thank you for letting me share!
Update: 13 Jan 2004
As my one year anniversary of my clipping quickly approaches, I am full of mixed emotions! I know that I am getting better! People have stopped asking me how I am feeling, stopped saying "You look great" and my scar on my neck is slowly fading. That is how I know a year has passed! Although people see me as cured (and I am), I will never forget what I had to go through. I am lucky to be alive! I can't believe I did it!
I can't believe how fast one year has come and gone! It feels like years ago when I think back to this time last year. I was anxious and depressed waiting for major brain surgery. So afraid of the unknown... Now I look at myself in amazement. I won! I am totally healthy and moving on in life.
Being a survivor of a brain aneurysm is amazing. It has changed my life in an unimaginable way. I am a stronger and more faithful person because of it. I try to look at the beauty in all things (sometimes I have to remind myself). I love waking up every morning, I love listening to my beautiful nieces laugh and to watch them grow up, I love hanging out with family and friends. I love the little things in life that I use to ignore.
My husband and I have a bond that could never be broke. We have overcome a huge hurdle that a lot of couples never have to face during their whole marriage, and we did at 28 years old! He is my rock and could not have done this with out him.
The out pouring of love and support from my family and loved friends is unbelievable. I will never forget that! Never!
So at this time of my anniversary, I would like to thank everyone that has helped me. Whether it was physically or emotionally, I am forever grateful! Thank you!
Update: 29 November 2004
As my 2 year anniversary is slowly approaching, I wanted to give an update. I now am the mother of a beautiful baby girl, Mollie Shea!!! My life has changed even more now that she is in my life. She is so beautiful and she makes me so happy.
My health has been good. I only go for annual checks with my neurosurgeon. I will, however, have an angiogram in 1 year to make sure everything is going well.
I enjoy receiving updates on everyone and I hope that my story is still helping others.
Update: 12 November 2005
Well, here we go again. I have some bad news to report.
I had a follow up cerebral angiogram performed last week to make sure there are no new aneurysms forming. I am 2½ years post op for a clipping of an unruptured aneurysm. There is a new aneurysm forming under the clip on the same vessel!!! Has anyone else had this. We will be seeing a new neurosurgeon on Wed to discuss the options.
I can't believe that this is happening again. It is a total nightmare. But I got throught the first one, and pray to God that this will be successful as well.
Thank you all for your support.
Update: 18 November 2005
Thank you to all that have responded to me with such positive feedback!!
I went to see a new neurosurgeon yesterday and my only option is to have the new aneurysm clipped again. I am accepting this news and will be planning a surgery in January 2006...3 years from my old surgery!
Update: 21 January 2006
I had my second craniotomy to clip my second unruptured aneurysm on January 3. It was another successful surgery. This time I needed 3 clips on the aneurysm. Recovery in the hospital was harder than my first surgery. I went home in 5 days with no side effects!
I am still recovering but I thank God everyday for being alive! I hope that one day, people will not have to go through what we all have endured!
Update: 17 January 2007
Here I am...I had just passed my one year anniversary of my 2nd surgery and approaching my 4 year anniversary of the 1st surgery!!!
I had a one year follow up cerebral angiogram in December and have great news to report...no new aneurysms!!! The clips look great from surgery. So my follow up is an MRA in 5 years! What a huge relief!!!!
I am very lucky to be a brain aneurysm survivor.
Discussion, comments, or questions: Stacy Nolan
© Copyright 2003 Stacy Nolan
All Rights Reserved - Fair Use
acknowledged
