Introducing me!!

[trace1]

Hi,
I'm Trace, 43 from Australia.
I've been lurking here for a while and have finally got the courage to post.
On January 2nd 2008, I had a ruptured right side aneursym. Had an emergency clipping, spent almost 4 weeks in hospital...but survived.
Whilst operating they also found 2 small aneursyms on the left.
I have been monitoring these for the past year, and they haven't changed- one is 3.5mm and the other smaller. My neuro is happy to keep checking them but has also said he feels they can be clipped if I feel I can't cope with them being there.
I was so fortunate after my rupture that apart from a long recovery phase, my life was just about back to normal- but I now think I need to clip these as well. I have decided to go ahead and schedule the op but I am so scarred that I won't be as lucky the second time around.
I have an incredibly supportive husband, a daughter 11 and a son 9...I hate the thought that I mightn't be there for them.
Any support would be helpful...
Trace

[TropicalTrish]

Hey there Tracy from waaaaaay over there! :)

Welcome to the site! I like people who lurk - glad you got your courage up to join all us Aneursym Folk. We are a good bunch:)

Wow - sounds like you went thru the wringer -a whole month in the hospital? I don't think they would let ME stay that long :) - but you did say it was an emergency and I am so glad they caught that in time! I sure feel for you. It's a tough decision to make alright.

I am one of the lucky Aneurysm people who got Coiled & a Stent and glad of it. It seems the recovery time is shorter but it's not for everyone. However - I always gasp at what the clipping entails -you are bound to be nervous about this. It's a tough one but you sound like a tough survivor too and have a wonderful family around you!!!

You are brave - but I'm with you -so much better to get it done than wander ..or in your case lurk around.....always wondering! Good on ya :)

I just know lots of good folks on here will be rooting for you! Let us know the date you pick so we can help out and maybe cheer you up!

Welcome!

Tropical Trish

[jess2002]

Hi there Trace. I had two aneurysms clipped one that ruptured then another on the other side sounds like they were in the same place. Now I can understand why you are so frightened but let me tell you it's not as bad the second time round. I went in on the Thursday op on Friday was home the following Thursday didn't need any painkillers at all. You will be fine. Jess.

PS Good luck not that you need it. I two was in hospital about 4 wks the first time.

[kimik0206]

Hi Trace,
I had clipping surgery on Dec. 10th. While I have had ups and downs in the recovery process. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if they found another annie. Stay positive and we will all be here for you.
Kim

[Kitty]

Hi Trace,
I had rupture of one aneurysm in May, 2005. It was clipped. I was in the hospital 2.5 weeks. While I was there, I had another surgery on the same side to clip 3 more that had not ruptured. 3 others were found on the other side from the angiograms done. I had another surgery in October 2005 to clip those three. I was only in the hospital 3 days, and it was SO MUCH EASIER without the rupture complications!! But I did stress out a lot before. However, I decided I would much rather have them clipped than suffer another rupture.

I just wanted to reassure you that having clipping surgery without the rupture was much easier to recover from. You will be in my prayers.

Kitty

[greycat]

Hiya Trace!
Scary & brave decision to get the annies clipped; but it's so much quicker to recover from when they've not ruptured of course, so I think it's the right decision...
Hugs,

[trace1]

Thanks everyone! You've made me feel like I am doing the right thing.
I've called the neuro this morning and am looking at an op in the end of February... will keep you informed closer to the date.
Thanks for making me feel welcome!
Trace

[sccandice]

Welcome Trace! I am a big lurker myself, but this is a great place for support and it is so comforting to know that we are not alone in our journeys and the emotions that accompany them. I think that you have made the same decisions that I would in your shoes. Please keep us updated!

[Beachgirl]

Hi Trace, like you, I lurked on here for about a year before getting up the courage to post! It's also great to have another Aussie on here, although it's a bugger that any of us have to be on here at all.
Your first operation was a success, so this one should also be fine! Your doctor knows what he's doing, so trust in him. I think you are brave to make this decision, as I'm scared to make that choice, so am happy to go with my doctors advise to monitor it. The fact that you have decided to go ahead and get it fixed once and for all takes courage and faith and I take my hat off to you!
Just out of curiosity, what state are you in and who is your neuro? Only asking as I'm thinking of getting a second opinion on my situation.

[Lyn]

Hi Trace

Nice to meet you. Good to see another Aussie on here. Where are you from, and what hospital did you have your surgery at?

I had an unruptured aneurysm clipped nearly five years ago at Westmead Private in Sydney. Had a wonderful doctor named Mark Dexter. Knowing that these little monsters are inside your head is a horrible thing. It's like living with a time bomb inside you. I was thirteen months from diagnosis to clipping and it was awful waiting for the surgery.

I understand your fear after what you have been through, but remember that clipping them in a controlled environment, with all the surgical staff present is much safer than an emergency procedure that was more unpredictable.

Even though yours are small, any aneurysm can rupture - regardless of size, and often with catastrophic results. I would be wanting to do the same as you and get them fixed permanently.

Best of luck, and look forward to getting to know you better.

Cheers

Lyn :)

[babycronin]

you really need to do it and you are brave i am still recovering from a clipping done dec 08 and i am working hard to get better and get back into life but it is hard. i lost my mom and brother to this and i am alive and so are you and we have family and friends who love and need us if you can do it i can to and so can all of the other brave people who i read about on the site we are not alone and it is worth it

[trace1]

Hi all!
Thanks again for all of the positive responses on my decision. It really helps.
Beachgirl and Lyn- Nice to have some other Aussies in a similar situation- sometimes you feel very isolated with tis condition. I had my initial surgery at RPA, sydney but will be going to Dalcross private at Killara for this next op. My neuro is Dr Rodney Allan- he's the guru at these things apparently. You see him on the RPA show on channel 9 doing all the brain stuff!
Haven't got a date yet for the surgery but it will be sometime towards the end of Feb. I'm feeling confident with my decision now- just wanting to get it over and done and begin my aneurysm free life!
Will keep in touch
Trace