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View Full Version : How Many Surviving Brain Stem Annies are there?


jazzyk726
10-22-2006, 12:29 PM
:) Hello, My father is a Brain Stem Annie survivor. He doesn't have access to a computer but I know that he feels like he is the only survivor. If you could write something that would encourage him, that he is not alone and their are other survivors going through the same symptoms and problems. I can print it out and mail it to him. I am sure he will be glad to share his story, although he can feel depressed, he never looses his sense of humor.

His name is Robert, he is 60 years old and lives in the San Fransico Bay Area.

Here is his story:

My father had an experience of surviving a anerysm on his brain stem. Doctors gave him a 30% chance to survive through the surgery and if he survived only 5 years to live in a wheel chair. 11 years later, he still lives not in a wheel chair but with a cane and manages to keep him self productive working around the house and fishing. Of course there are some damage and problems but he became nothing of what the doctors predicted. He is most humble about his situation and wants nothing to do with any spot light, although there has been many offers to do a story on him. He says that he is here to serve for christ and not use it for attention and personal gain.

Well my father might be humble but I like talk about his experiences because it was miraclous and humorous.

My father has died and come back to life, I don't how many times but enough to earn the nickname 'Cold Blue Bob' from the doctors and nurses.
He said he saw heaven once but barly got to see anything, wasn't greeted by anyone or at least didn't reach that part of the journey. He said he was in a bright place and felt a peace and he was moving toward what he thought was Jesus. Then all of sudden he woke up with my step mom over him, crying, saying "Thank God your back."

My father exitedly told her, "I was in heaven, I was going to see Jesus, there was peace, honey peace!! and then I vaguely heard a someone say come back to me..."
My stepmom interuppted him saying " that was me, that was me..." My dad irratatingly told my stepmom, "Now why the heck did you do that for, I was in heaven and you made me come back here"

My stepmom made a point to tell him that it wasn't her, only God can do that and do you think that he is going to let you go that easy, you obviously still have more work to do for him" My dad rolled his eyes and looked up, like most people do when they talk to God, and said " why did you have to tease me like that..."

My stepmom quickly responded, he was probabley trying to teach you lesson not to steal any more cookies from the kitchen in the middle of the night."...

Any way, My family's faith in Christ and experiences of death has given them a wierd sense of humor. Only because they know that it is a transfer of souls and not eternal death. Heaven and Christ is truley that real to my family.
I am sure you read and hear many stories like this... so here is one more, from person that likes to relate to people.

Never loose your sense of humor.

Thank You, in advance for taking the time to read this thread.
Thank you to everyone in advance for your encouragements.

Jazzyk726:) :) :) :)

nicd
10-23-2006, 10:40 AM
Hello,

I find your fathers courage amazing. I too had 2 aneurysms on my brain stem and was coiled rather than clipped because clipping was too risky. I have made a wonderful recovery and am enjoying being home with my two girls and being a mom again. My rupture was in April 2006 and I was in the hospital for 3 weeks. I suffer from short term memory loss, concentration problems and headaches. You're right by saying never lose your sense of humour. Laugh often and love a lot.

Scared and depressed
11-07-2006, 09:40 PM
Late August 2006 - got up from my bed at got a pounding pain on the top of my head and a terrible sore neck - couldn't lift my head. My husband took me to the local ER and they did a catscan. Showed blood in my cranium. Tried to find another hospital to take me because that hospital didn't have a neurosurgeon on call. So, they finally transported me 40 miles south to another hospital. That was 8 hours later. This hospital had a neurosurgeon but after they did a MRA (dye test) they said the anneurysm was in my brain stem and they weren't skilled enough to try to take care of it. So; they tried to find a hospital which could take care of it; that was another 8 hours. Finally; an ambulance drove me about 250 miles north to Shands Hosptial in Gainesville and they agreed to operate. I was out of it and on alot of morphine. They did a coiling that night and obviously; I'm alive - not well. During that first night; a thought I saw a white light open up in front of me and all I said was "I love you God". Then the white light faded away and I woke up. I started to cry and told my husband about it. I think God was trying to calm me and let me know that there is a place for us to go when our time comes. I am still afraid of death but I have faith that there is a heaven to go home to. I live everyday with a new kind of calmness I never had before. God bless your dad and I'm sure he saw what he saw. Margie

Pressing On
06-05-2007, 11:34 PM
I love your Dad's story! I am waiting for a surgery on a cranial anneurysm, but have also sensed God's presence and peace throughout this ordeal. I have not had a miraculous healing, but I know that Jesus is with me holding
my hand, and my family is supporting me. I am also grateful for the support and prayers of the survivors on this board. What a lifeline. Let your Dad know
he is not alone, but that to many of us here, he can be like a hero--we all need to hear stories of hope and encouragement from one whose been there.

Rebekah

GeePer
06-06-2007, 12:44 PM
Jazzyk,

I didn't have a brain stem annie but I had one even more rare....a giant aneurysm (2.2cm) located in the left caudal-thalamic groove (the groove that divides the right and left sides of the brain), .5 percent of brain aneurysms occur here. It ruptured and caused 2 hemoragghic strokes. So I know how your father and the others feel.

Glenn