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PLang
05-14-2009, 05:49 PM
I'm Plang's daughter posting this for her. She has been reading this site since Valentines Day. Beau.Mom told my mom about the site. She has been reading everybody's story. She was diagnosed with her aneurysm on October 2, 2008 (her story is below).

The NS recommended the clipping however, she was still going to wait. On Monday, she went back to the hospital for a second sonogram on her leg where they placed an angio seal when she had the angiogram. She has had pain in her leg for 3 months.

As I mentioned, she was going to be the one that waited on surgery ....but somehow on Monday she left the hospital with a surgery date of June 1. She's not quite sure how this happened.

She has been praying for everybody. She has gained so much from reading everyone's stories and updates. She is not real comfortable writing on the site herself. But will definately keep up with your stories.

As her daughter, I feel like my mom sounds better since she has made this decision.

Thanks for all the support you've given her through this site. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you.


(From PLang's Daughter)

My mom's story ....
Last summer I was having severe headaches. I went to my Primary Doctor who sent me for an MRI since these severe headaches were uncommon for me. I went for the MRI on October 2, 2008. Following the MRI I came home and very quickly received a phone call from my Primary Care Doctor who said that I have a brain aneurysm and that I needed to go to the hospital immediately.

At the hospital they performed another MRI and then a CT scan. They scheduled me for coiling the next morning. I often have side affects to medicines and the dye used in tests. I was very sick the next morning so the nurse encouraged me to eat (a cracker) because I so nauseous. A little while later, I was taken down to have the coiling procedure done. It was at this time that they found out that I had eaten the cracker so they could not do the coiling procedure. The procedure was rescheduled for two weeks later. Everything was moving so fast I was actually relieved that I had more time to think about it and time to research aneurysms, the procedure(s), doctors, hospitals and statistics (thank goodness for Saltines). I cancelled the coiling procedure scheduled for mid-October so that I could get a second opinion.

I went to another hospital to get a second opinion. The first visit was the day before Thanksgiving on November 26. At this visit the neurosurgeon told me I needed to have an angiogram.

On January 26, I had the angiogram done. The following week I met with the neurosurgeon to discuss the results of the angiogram. The aneurysm is a 5.4mm by 4.9 mm and the neck is 2.2. He told me that my aneurysm is not good for coiling because of its location to the ophthalmic artery which is at the lower most neck of the aneurysm. He recommends clipping. A major concern is the location of my aneurysm in regards to the optic nerve. During surgery they will need to manipulate the optic nerve during the surgery and there are potential risks.

The neurosurgeon told me that I have 3 to 6 months to think about it and make a decision. I have another appointment with the same neurosurgeon to talk with him further about questions and concerns. I have also sent my test results to another neurosurgeon out of state to review.

I would be interested in hearing from people that have had the clipping ... particularly at or near the ophthalmic artery (optic nerve).

svalmor
05-14-2009, 06:40 PM
Hi PLang and Mum!!

Welcome to Brain Talk!! I'm so sorry all this is happening, however, it's so great that we have this forum to help support each other and unburden our fears.

My annie is located on the Right MCA so it's not the same as your mother's. Any annie diagnosed is scary enough though!!

I'm glad you guys are seeking multiple opinions. Never hurts to get them and make a more informed decision. Will she go through the clipping on 06/01, or is she still thinking about it? I'm getting mine clipped in exactly 2 weeks :eek:.

Where are you located? I'm in a Chicago suburb....

Well, keep us updated. We're all a happy bunch here even in these circumstances!!

Take care!!!

Sandy

beau.mom in Millbury, MA
05-14-2009, 07:21 PM
Hello Pat and daughter!,
I was so happy to see this message from you...wow! I know we have been chatting on the phone since Valentine's Day! I am so glad you ate that darn cracker and have had time to learn more about aneurysms and process the whole concept of this diagnosis.
I am glad that I recommeded this Braintalk site to you and it has helped you. Isn't it comforting to know you are not alone with this journey? Everyone's stories have both similarities and unique parts to them, but we are all in this together to support each other.
What did they say about your leg/ angioseal site?... I know it has bothered you since the angiogram.
June 1st... wow! I had tears in my eyes when I read that. I know you've had a very difficult time deciding what to do or not do. You know my brother was that way too... he went 8 months from diagnosis to having the surgery.
I will be calling you soon! Today is my one day off this week from my real job and I have to make 2 calls to people newly diagnosed and wanting to talk to someone who has been through this. The Brain Aneurysn Foundation and my neurosurgeon's office is keeping me quite busy with my part time 'job'... referring patients to me to support them during this stressful time.
I feel so blessed to have connected with you through the BAF and am so glad that you are here with us on Braintalk now! Take care my dear and we will chat soon! Here's a BIG HUG to you... and one for your daughter and hubby! With good thoughts and prayers and positive energy...

beach1_gal@yahoo.com
05-15-2009, 07:25 PM
Hello,
I am interested in what the size and shape of your annie is. I was just diagnosed with an Internal Opthamic Carotid Artery that is on the left side. It's berry shaped and 8mm x 4mm x 2.5mm (this is the neck). Now for this one because it's so close to the opthamic nerve and the pituatary gland that it would be very difficutl to have the annie clipped so they are opting to have it coiled. Kinda the oposite of what you have been told, but that could be due to size, shape and the neck.

I went to another NS then because I have a second annie on my RMCA that is 3mm by 2.5mm (the neck again same size as other annie). But since the neck is almost the same size as the annie is they said coiling wont work so they have to clip this one. Since that requires a crainiotomy they have to do the procedures 3 weeks apart. But while I was with the second NS I asked him about my opthamic annie and what he thought and he agreed that to try coiling first is the best. He explained about size and shape and also that the area we are talking about is very bony and hard to get to. He said even when they have to do anything with the pituitary gland (which just happens to be in the same space as our opthamic annies) that they do the surgery thru the nose! Can you beleive it.

I hope I haven't scared you but I would love to hear back from you regarding size and shape and all of that. Oh and as for the hurrying part the only thing the two doc's had in common were that they would like to have them completed within a few months. And they have so far moved pretty quickly. Since the beginning of April and the opthamologist finding it and setting me up with a NS I have had 2 CAT Scans w/contrast one Angiogram and now I am scheduled to have my surgery on the 15th of June and then I guess I don't know for sure but to call the other NS after the craini and set up for the coiling. I am a little fearful of the fact that I will barely be starting to heal and then in again granted thru my groin instead but now both sides of my brain will have been worked on and what's going to happen with my memory and this may sound silly but since my son lives out of state as well my brother, that they can only come out for one of the procedures and of course they want to be at the one where they actually open up your head. But who is going to be there for me when the coiling is done? I am so scared that I will be by myself...Ok starting to get teary eyed.

I have complete faith in you and the way you are going about getting information from your NS's. I will be thinking of you and keeping posted on how you are doing and remember you can always pm me and I will be more than happy to answer your e-mail or we can Skype as that is what is wonderfyul and cheap and it's easy to download just google it and go from there.

Beachgal has been a life saver for me by talking to me through Skype and here I am in California and she's in Austrailia.

Love and Prayers,
LaDawn