My Blowup

[gpalatin]

My Name Is Greg Palatinus.
I live in Indiana, I am 45yrs old. I had my anerurysm 1 1/2 yrs ago.
I was standing in my kitchen and felt this explosion between my eyes.
I vomitted for 4days and finally asked my wife to take me to the doctor.
He diagnosed me as having the flu. Next day my wife found me seizing.
was lifelined to mehtodist and the clip option was preformed. After surgery hemoraged into both frontal lobes.
Then they had to put me in a drugged induced coma for 3 weeks.
I had to rehab to relearn everything.

Biggest problem is all people see me as DIFFERENT Now.
I like who I am now!
And everyone wants the old GREG Back. And I tell them that he is dead.
My Employer have issues returning back to work, Even though I am ready.

My Short Term Memory And Communications are real Bad Now:(

[Lyn]

Hi Greg
Nice to meet you. Sorry that you are having issues with your boss - I am assuming you live in the US, and I don't know what your anti-discrimination laws are there. Here in Australia, we have some pretty substantial laws that will assist (and protect) a disabled person in returning to work.

I was lucky, my aneurysm did not rupture, but even after craniotomy and clipping surgery I found that my memory and concentration were nowhere near as good as they were before the op.

Congratulations on being a survivor - unless you have been where you have been, people don't understand how you can look 'so well' and 'even after all this time' be a different person to the one you were before.

I know I am different - my whole outlook on life is different - my health and my image of 'me' is different. If I had to say what the difference is, I think I am better than I was. Perhaps not quite as quick off the mark, perhaps more easily tired and overwhelmed, but more compassionate, more giving and more willing to live my life one day at a time.

So celebrate the man you are now, and to h*ll with those who don't understand - you are welcome here anytime.

Cheers

Lyn :)

[gpalatin]

Thx Lyn,
But All the credit for my recovery goes to Jesus Christ Himself.

I am 100% Further along than what my doctors had expected! :-)

[dawnmn]

Welcome Greg,

I had a rupture five years ago and the one advise that I wish someone would have told me was DON"T RUSH BACK TO WORK.

[FireflyR7]

:o I know how you feel!!! When I go out People look at me like a ghost or something??? I have just come to accept it!! I don't care what anyone thinks! I have a great support group around me and here! I had a rupture last June and still have a long way to go!!! My short term memory is screwed still! I am on a lot of meds... I have a lot of cognitive and balance problems... Some of the stuff I say is hallarious!! :eek: Don't worry about what people think or say, we are lucky to be alive and that is what matters! What you feel about yourself is the most important!! Don't let them get you down! As time goes on, they will adjust and so will you! Hopefully we will all continue to heal, as these symptoms are normal for most of us!! I will keep you in my prayers, just keep being the new you hun!! :D I am here if you want to talk more!! Love Tricia / FireflyR7 I am 47 (f) & was a firefighter until this happen, I miss my old life very much, but I am just glad to have one at all!! Take care!!

[gpalatin]

I agree, I tried to go back to work and it did not go well at all!:-(

[Happydaze]

Hi Greg - Welcome - I had a rupture three years ago and although I'm back to work and doing OK I am definately not the same person I was B4 the rupture.............But That's OK!!!! I make the most out of each day and take joy in all the liitle things - today there was an awesome sunrise on the beach and I was there to see it! Glad you're here - this journey is much easier with understanding friends!

_________________
Happydaze:)

[Kathie]

Hi Greg
Congratulations on being a survivor!
I was off work for 6 months after my rupture. I could have been back at work a lot sooner but for the type of work I do. I'm a bus driver. I had to go through a whole load of stuff to get back. I had to take my drivers test again in the bus, not to mention the extensive medical exams the state put me through to get my "Public Vehicle Licence". Without that I couldn't carry passengers, and without them the job is a bit pointless. :D
I was told at one neuro visit that I should look for employment in another field as they felt that I probably wouldn't be driving busses again. It was an extremely upsetting time for me, I love this job. The fight was worth every tear. It was tiring at first but I stuck it out, I've been back for almost 2 years, and would do it all again in a heartbeat. I had the full support of my employers and all my fellow workmates. They've been fantastic, and for that I feel blessed.
Greg, no-one knows your body better that you! If you feel ready to go back to work, then by all means give it a go. Just don't push yourself too hard. You'll know when you need to rest.

I think maybe we all change after an experience like this to some degree. Some a little, some a lot. But deep down we are still the same person. The main thing is, you like yourself.

[gafey]

Hi Greg, Good to meet you and congrats on being an annie survivor. Yes, I know what you mean when you say you feel like a different person. Hasn't been the same for me either since my rupture in 1/06. Half the time, I feel like I'm walking around in a surreal world. But as others have posted, as long as you are comfortable with yourself, live your life the way you want to. It is our lives and life is so delicate, you never know what's gonna happen next.

I tell myself, so long as I surround myself with 'Good Karma', I'll be ok. 'Bad Karma' adds more stress into my life and that takes away energy for the good things in life.

Take Care, Maria (Gafey)