A Note by a Ruptured Brain Aneurysm Survivor
Please read on:
I find brain aneurysm almost unique in its ability to strike like lightning, without rhyme or reason, and too often without mercy.
When the cerebral artery bursts and causes brain hemorrhage, sudden death can result. The mortality rate following a rupture is about 40 percent, and another 25 percent die from complications.
For those whose precious lives are snuffed out in a brief moment, and whose loved ones' lives are dramatically altered forever by the same event, there seems to be no justice that I can comprehend. For those fortunate enough to survive the rupture, a battle begins for the amount and quality of life that can be recaptured.
Your doctors and nurses are only one part of your armor. The key to your victory, your healing, is your will not only to survive, but to conquer.
Mental positivity and, for some, spirituality, along with a focus on personal health and well being -not smoking, a nutritious diet, lots of sunlight, and a regular exercise program, and a strong social support network like relatives or friends in a social circle, are all critical.
Do not be burdened by statistics. Every battle is unique and, if fought well, won.
I am presently recuperating from my operation and I am glad about the progress I am making. My left eye still had no vision. I still could not walk. But my doctors assured me that I will be back to my normal self in 6 months to 1 year, not 100% though. But within that time, I will have my eyesight back and I can walk already.
The doctors said that I was very very lucky. I escaped death by a hairline. My aneurysm ruptured last January 18, 2011. I never knew that I had aneurysm until that fateful night, when I lost consciousness inside the toilet. My left eye hit the toilet sink. And I must have accidentally bumped into and spilled the pail of hot water that I was supposed to use, resulting to a huge 2nd degree burn on my left thigh.
When I regained consciousness I tried calling for help from our house boy downstairs, but he did not respond to my cry for help. Maybe you can call it a miracle. I was able to walk from the toilet towards my room and made it to my bed. I had the worst headache ever and I kept on vomiting.
I then texted my cousins since I don't have my parents with me anymore, they're both dead and I was living all alone. But my cousin said he couldn't contact his driver. So I was bought to the hospital only the following day by another cousin. Lucky me! According to statistics, 1/3 of those who had a ruptured aneurysm died within 3 hours.
A CT Scan was performed and a lot more medical procedures were done. Then I was brought via emergency ambulance to UST Hospital - a long eight (8) hour-drive from my province. If it is a regular bus, it would take us twelve(12) hours. Thanks to the ambulance drivers who took turn on the wheel and skillfully brought me just in time to UST Hospital. And to the doctor and nurse, my kuya Bernie and my alalay who accompanied me inside the ambulance- a hug and a thank you for never leaving my side.
A brain aneurysm coiling operation was performed by two (2) neuro-surgeons, assisted by one (1) cardiologist, one (1) anesthesiologist and several nurses, last January 22, 2011 at UST Hospital.
Since coming home to our townhouse in Manila on February 4, 2011, I kept on going back to my doctors for check up and I was not allowed to go back home to my home in the province just yet. I hope to be back home soon and lead a normal life.
Taking a bath is a bliss. Yes, the simple showers or tabo (dipper) bath that we all take for granted is heaven to me because I've been leading a life with bed baths for the last four months. I used bed pans to wewe (urinate) or popo (defecate). I miss how our toilet looks like.
So the next time you find yourself so discontented and sad on how you were leading your life-count your blessings and thank God for all the wonderful things you freely do. Not everybody could enjoy these simple things.
Sitting for an hour or so makes me cry. It is back breaking for me to be sitting for an hour. I need to lie down and rest. See, back then, I never thanked God for my capacity to sit. And I do that a lot before!
I wish for you to please keep on praying for my total and complete recovery. Some of you may not understand how hard it is for me, some even find my situation a so so case, and deleted me on their friend's list. Maybe they have their reasons, whatever it is, I would never know 'coz they did not bother to explain the reason why.
Yes, a lot of people are selfish, but I won't cry over them, after all I am a survivor. God gave me my consciousness back, so there is still a reason why I keep on breathing. I still have a purpose to fulfill. A life is still waiting for me.
No matter how hard I must struggle I know I can make it. After all the greatest being is there backing me up. He doesn't want to see me broken, he wants me to fight and live my life again.
GOD IS HEALING ME NOW IN THE OCEAN OF GRACE, LOVE AND MERCY! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO KEEPS ON REMINDING ME THAT YOU WOULD BE ALWAYS MY FRIEND NO MATTER WHAT! GOD BLESS YOU!
I find brain aneurysm almost unique in its ability to strike like lightning, without rhyme or reason, and too often without mercy.
When the cerebral artery bursts and causes brain hemorrhage, sudden death can result. The mortality rate following a rupture is about 40 percent, and another 25 percent die from complications.
For those whose precious lives are snuffed out in a brief moment, and whose loved ones' lives are dramatically altered forever by the same event, there seems to be no justice that I can comprehend. For those fortunate enough to survive the rupture, a battle begins for the amount and quality of life that can be recaptured.
Your doctors and nurses are only one part of your armor. The key to your victory, your healing, is your will not only to survive, but to conquer.
Mental positivity and, for some, spirituality, along with a focus on personal health and well being -not smoking, a nutritious diet, lots of sunlight, and a regular exercise program, and a strong social support network like relatives or friends in a social circle, are all critical.
Do not be burdened by statistics. Every battle is unique and, if fought well, won.
I am presently recuperating from my operation and I am glad about the progress I am making. My left eye still had no vision. I still could not walk. But my doctors assured me that I will be back to my normal self in 6 months to 1 year, not 100% though. But within that time, I will have my eyesight back and I can walk already.
The doctors said that I was very very lucky. I escaped death by a hairline. My aneurysm ruptured last January 18, 2011. I never knew that I had aneurysm until that fateful night, when I lost consciousness inside the toilet. My left eye hit the toilet sink. And I must have accidentally bumped into and spilled the pail of hot water that I was supposed to use, resulting to a huge 2nd degree burn on my left thigh.
When I regained consciousness I tried calling for help from our house boy downstairs, but he did not respond to my cry for help. Maybe you can call it a miracle. I was able to walk from the toilet towards my room and made it to my bed. I had the worst headache ever and I kept on vomiting.
I then texted my cousins since I don't have my parents with me anymore, they're both dead and I was living all alone. But my cousin said he couldn't contact his driver. So I was bought to the hospital only the following day by another cousin. Lucky me! According to statistics, 1/3 of those who had a ruptured aneurysm died within 3 hours.
A CT Scan was performed and a lot more medical procedures were done. Then I was brought via emergency ambulance to UST Hospital - a long eight (8) hour-drive from my province. If it is a regular bus, it would take us twelve(12) hours. Thanks to the ambulance drivers who took turn on the wheel and skillfully brought me just in time to UST Hospital. And to the doctor and nurse, my kuya Bernie and my alalay who accompanied me inside the ambulance- a hug and a thank you for never leaving my side.
A brain aneurysm coiling operation was performed by two (2) neuro-surgeons, assisted by one (1) cardiologist, one (1) anesthesiologist and several nurses, last January 22, 2011 at UST Hospital.
Since coming home to our townhouse in Manila on February 4, 2011, I kept on going back to my doctors for check up and I was not allowed to go back home to my home in the province just yet. I hope to be back home soon and lead a normal life.
Taking a bath is a bliss. Yes, the simple showers or tabo (dipper) bath that we all take for granted is heaven to me because I've been leading a life with bed baths for the last four months. I used bed pans to wewe (urinate) or popo (defecate). I miss how our toilet looks like.
So the next time you find yourself so discontented and sad on how you were leading your life-count your blessings and thank God for all the wonderful things you freely do. Not everybody could enjoy these simple things.
Sitting for an hour or so makes me cry. It is back breaking for me to be sitting for an hour. I need to lie down and rest. See, back then, I never thanked God for my capacity to sit. And I do that a lot before!
I wish for you to please keep on praying for my total and complete recovery. Some of you may not understand how hard it is for me, some even find my situation a so so case, and deleted me on their friend's list. Maybe they have their reasons, whatever it is, I would never know 'coz they did not bother to explain the reason why.
Yes, a lot of people are selfish, but I won't cry over them, after all I am a survivor. God gave me my consciousness back, so there is still a reason why I keep on breathing. I still have a purpose to fulfill. A life is still waiting for me.
No matter how hard I must struggle I know I can make it. After all the greatest being is there backing me up. He doesn't want to see me broken, he wants me to fight and live my life again.
GOD IS HEALING ME NOW IN THE OCEAN OF GRACE, LOVE AND MERCY! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO KEEPS ON REMINDING ME THAT YOU WOULD BE ALWAYS MY FRIEND NO MATTER WHAT! GOD BLESS YOU!
