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View Full Version : Weight Gain an Ruptured Brain Aneurysms


HereinNY
07-15-2008, 10:44 AM
Hi everyone. I am usually on the Bain Aneurym Forum.But I thought I'd post here about my plans to work in Reasearch and Advocacy in my community.

In January 2004, I sffered a ruptured brain aneurysm which included an SAH and Intraventricular bleed near the Thalamus. Before I went unconscious, I had a stroke and seizure. I remember it all. The surgeons did not operate to remove pressure on my brain and to stop th bleeding until 2 days ater the bleed started.

The surgery was a success and my dr.s in Manhatten found 3 brain aneourysms and coiled them. After 8 days of a tube draining blood and fluid from the brain, they found that I developed Hydrocephalus and implanted a VP Shunt.

Once I was able to stand, I noticed severe pain in my legs. I was sent for a Doplar test and they found 3 blood clots in my left leg and 4 in my right. My lungs were also scanned and they found 3 blood clots in my lungs. I was sent in for a Greenfield Filter. Now with 3 coiled brain aneurysms, a shunt,DVT's and PE's,I was sent to Rehab back on Long Island. I spent 6 days there gaining strength and balance. I had a UTI there from the catheter that was probably more painful than brain surgery!!

Now almost 5 years later, I am as recovered as I am going to be. I moved to Rochester, NY in April in my own apartment. I receive SSDI and Long Term Disability. I have a hugh support system here of close friends so I am extremely happy. I am single with no children, so I have a lot of time to devote to getting my life back on track. The ordeal happened when I was 32...I m 37 now and starting over!

I have permanant disabilites that I struggle with on a daily basis...my peripheral vison was taken away on the left (heimniopsia), the stroke made my left hand unusable and in a fist, and my left leg as weakened tremendously. I battle high blood pressure now, I gained 80 lbs. in the process and am now tryng to be more active.

Neurologically, I have processing delays and attentiion issues because of the deep brain bleed. I battle depression (which is maintained with Lexapro).I was just recently seen by a neuopsychologist, Dr. Peter Como, who puet me through a 3 hour battery of cognitive tests. I am still considered abov Average/Bright (Yay!!) but I do have attention issues, processing delays and difficulty ignoring outside noise and stimulus.

I share all of this because I am ready to sart advocating for annie patients and families. The BAF is based out of Boston, and I am creating a local chapter in Rochester, NY. I plan on writing a book and starting a non profit group for ruptured annie victims.The organization is in the planning ,phase so if anyone has any information about creating a nonprofit, I would love it!

My name is Tracy Iona and I am a Survivor! I have a blog on MySpace at myspace.com/hereinny and Facebook.Check ith out!

Thank you for your interest.
tiona5153@yahoo.com

david11
01-17-2009, 12:03 AM
hey you are amazing!! keep it up!!

Nat Hyland
02-14-2009, 05:44 PM
but glad to hear you're trying to make the best of things! It must be awful to have to virtually begin your life all over again :(! I've had hydro virtually my whole life (caught meningitis at 6 weeks of age), and so I'm used to all the "quirks" of this disorder, and have been able to adjust to an extent. Although I must say that I think my memory deteriorated following my last surgery. I will sometimes think of something I must do, and then completely forget about it half an hour later :(! Very annoying and frustrating for all concerned!

Why don't you come over to the hydrocephalus forum? There are some really nice people there who would love to read your story!

See you there!

Nat.