1. < Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases

Aneurism followed by Stroke

Posted by sharniegirl @sharniegirl, Jun 12 9:50am

My son is 36 yrs old. He apparently had a aneurism 7 days ago. He was transported to a hospital that was not equipped to treat him. He was transferred to correct hospital for treatment. Surgeon advised he attempted to use a coil method to stop the bleeding. Surgeon stated he had to use a different process - maybe like a small square of something that clamps down to stop the bleeding. That same evening, my son suffered a stroke. His entire left side is currently paralyzed. He’s starting to become more alert and I think he understands what happened. He was intubated twice. Yesterday was his first meal of solid food. He was able to eat a little bit. Thankfully he is right handed, but there was still evidence of a struggle. Hopefully this eliminates my fear of a feeding tube in his stomach. He started physical and occupational yesterday. He is currently hooked up to a catheter and tons of different IV drips on both sides of his bed. He recognizes us. He tries to talk, but I think intubating him twice has severely limited his speech? I can understand him sometimes, but it’s a whisper. I was told he would remain in ICU for 21 days? I have no clue what to expect down the road. He is cognizant, but he thinks he’s going home in a few days. He was in the process of selling his home. His realtor is trying to get me Power of Attorney so I can represent him at closing. I guess my question is whether he has a short road to recovery or a long road to recovery. I just don’t know what happens next. I have a bedroom for him in my home, but I am also disabled and not sure what may be expected of me in terms of caring for him. Sorry this is such a long message 💔

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houston13 | @houston13 | Jun 12 10:58am

I’m not a Dr but my brother had a ruptured brain aneurysm twice and went through a long recovery period. I believe it will take some time to understand the extend of any damage. In my brother’s case the first rupture did not cause any long term issues but the second one did, actually few people survive a second rupture so he is lucky to be alive. He had difficulty talking and had some movement problems but with therapy, speech and physical, he has been able to regain most of it.

Your son is younger and that may help. It takes time for an aneurysm to develop and get to a size that ruptures so your son had had it for probably a few years. After my brother’s first rupture I got checked and I also had one, it was small but it had vascular access and I had it fixed. In my case they used a stent, my brother’s first repair was a coil like the tried with your son. Stents and coils are done endovascularly with a catheter, clips which may be what they finally did with your son are done with a craniotomy, they actually have to open the skull. After the second bleed my brother had to get a craniotomy and clips.

Find what resources are available to you regarding therapy, the neurosurgeon’s team should be able to guide you.

All the best

REPLY
2 replies
sharniegirl | @sharniegirl | Jun 12 11:12pm
In reply to @houston13 "I’m not a Dr but my brother had a ruptured brain aneurysm twice and went through..." + (show)
@houston13

I’m not a Dr but my brother had a ruptured brain aneurysm twice and went through a long recovery period. I believe it will take some time to understand the extend of any damage. In my brother’s case the first rupture did not cause any long term issues but the second one did, actually few people survive a second rupture so he is lucky to be alive. He had difficulty talking and had some movement problems but with therapy, speech and physical, he has been able to regain most of it.

Your son is younger and that may help. It takes time for an aneurysm to develop and get to a size that ruptures so your son had had it for probably a few years. After my brother’s first rupture I got checked and I also had one, it was small but it had vascular access and I had it fixed. In my case they used a stent, my brother’s first repair was a coil like the tried with your son. Stents and coils are done endovascularly with a catheter, clips which may be what they finally did with your son are done with a craniotomy, they actually have to open the skull. After the second bleed my brother had to get a craniotomy and clips.

Find what resources are available to you regarding therapy, the neurosurgeon’s team should be able to guide you.

All the best

Jump to this post

Thank you for your insight. I guess it truly is one day at a time 🙏🌹

REPLY
slowrunner1 | @slowrunner1 | Jun 13 10:56am

For me it has been one day at a time for three years. Without the support of family and friends
I wouldn't be here. Recovery is so much more than pills and therapy.

REPLY
1 reply
mkoch | @mkoch | Jun 13 1:15pm

Just curious, what hospital was your son's surgery performed?

REPLY
1 reply
sharniegirl | @sharniegirl | Jun 14 12:28am
In reply to @mkoch "Just curious, what hospital was your son's surgery performed?" + (show)
@mkoch

Just curious, what hospital was your son's surgery performed?

Jump to this post

Christiana Care in Delaware. Only Trauma Center in my whole damn state, but thankfully close by for convenience. I’m not trying to be selfish on here, but I’ve had more than my fair share of “traumas” in my life. Yet, everyone still depends on me. I’m wiped out. Don’t think I can go through much more. I watched them put my son in some kind of motorized harness today to move him from bed to chair for a bit. I’m basically alone and I don’t think I’m going to survive yet another tragedy. I’m scared to leave him, but I’m so tired. “Tired” isn’t even the right word, but idk how to properly express. I have to remember that this is not about ME. It’s about my SON. Just feels like I’m going to be more of a hindrance than a help due to my own disabilities. I broke down today in front of my son and I can’t forgive myself for that. I know he needs me to be strong, but I fear I’ve used up whatever survival instincts I had left. I want/need the sprint vs the journey 💔

REPLY
1 reply
sharniegirl | @sharniegirl | Jun 14 12:46am
In reply to @slowrunner1 "For me it has been one day at a time for three years. Without the support..." + (show)
@slowrunner1

For me it has been one day at a time for three years. Without the support of family and friends
I wouldn't be here. Recovery is so much more than pills and therapy.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your honesty about this journey. I’ve only dipped my toes in the water at this point, and it’s abundantly clear that I can’t do this alone. ICU has been so nice and I have to trust they will point me in the right direction for support. Thank you for responding 💔❤️‍🩹

REPLY
1 reply
slowrunner1 | @slowrunner1 | Jun 14 9:14am
In reply to @sharniegirl "Thank you for your honesty about this journey. I’ve only dipped my toes in the water..." + (show)
@sharniegirl

Thank you for your honesty about this journey. I’ve only dipped my toes in the water at this point, and it’s abundantly clear that I can’t do this alone. ICU has been so nice and I have to trust they will point me in the right direction for support. Thank you for responding 💔❤️‍🩹

Jump to this post

PT and ?OT are workshops and you are the worker. The staff will provide you with the opportunity and guidance' but it is up to you to make it work.

That said, a little fun might be in order. to get out of long-term care, I had to pass a series of tests: standing using a cane or wheel chair and so on including feeding myself. Under no condition should you poke yourself in the eye with a banana. Damn that left hand!

REPLY
mkoch | @mkoch | 6 days ago

Sharnie: Grant yourself some grace. It's ok to cry. Your son understands that, of course, his mom would cry to see him in such a state. Your very presence, the emotional support you offer him by just being there, by being his mom who shows up, far out weighs your perceived idea that you can't be of any help to him because of your physical disabilities. My heart goes out to you; you have a lot on your plate.

REPLY
mkoch | @mkoch | 6 days ago
In reply to @houston13 "I’m not a Dr but my brother had a ruptured brain aneurysm twice and went through..." + (show)
@houston13

I’m not a Dr but my brother had a ruptured brain aneurysm twice and went through a long recovery period. I believe it will take some time to understand the extend of any damage. In my brother’s case the first rupture did not cause any long term issues but the second one did, actually few people survive a second rupture so he is lucky to be alive. He had difficulty talking and had some movement problems but with therapy, speech and physical, he has been able to regain most of it.

Your son is younger and that may help. It takes time for an aneurysm to develop and get to a size that ruptures so your son had had it for probably a few years. After my brother’s first rupture I got checked and I also had one, it was small but it had vascular access and I had it fixed. In my case they used a stent, my brother’s first repair was a coil like the tried with your son. Stents and coils are done endovascularly with a catheter, clips which may be what they finally did with your son are done with a craniotomy, they actually have to open the skull. After the second bleed my brother had to get a craniotomy and clips.

Find what resources are available to you regarding therapy, the neurosurgeon’s team should be able to guide you.

All the best

Jump to this post

Houston 13: Such a great description of your personal experience. Thank you for posting, not just for "Sharnie's" benefit but for others who, in the future, will go to this site for information.

REPLY
hakablue | @hakablue | 6 days ago
In reply to @sharniegirl "Christiana Care in Delaware. Only Trauma Center in my whole damn state, but thankfully close by..." + (show)
@sharniegirl

Christiana Care in Delaware. Only Trauma Center in my whole damn state, but thankfully close by for convenience. I’m not trying to be selfish on here, but I’ve had more than my fair share of “traumas” in my life. Yet, everyone still depends on me. I’m wiped out. Don’t think I can go through much more. I watched them put my son in some kind of motorized harness today to move him from bed to chair for a bit. I’m basically alone and I don’t think I’m going to survive yet another tragedy. I’m scared to leave him, but I’m so tired. “Tired” isn’t even the right word, but idk how to properly express. I have to remember that this is not about ME. It’s about my SON. Just feels like I’m going to be more of a hindrance than a help due to my own disabilities. I broke down today in front of my son and I can’t forgive myself for that. I know he needs me to be strong, but I fear I’ve used up whatever survival instincts I had left. I want/need the sprint vs the journey 💔

Jump to this post

You and your have my prayers. I’m an unruptured aneurysm survivor. I had three craniotomy’s in January and March of 2000. It took awhile to heal as much as I was going to heal. I have brain damage but I have worked full time since August 2000 with one accommodation. Most recent aneurysm surgery was a coil through leg. I was 35 in 2000 and at 60 still working. Had an ischemic stroke this April and still going. It’s very hard but can be done, keep the faith.

REPLY
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