On January 20, I celebrated my 54 birthday. On January 28, I was told I have a brain aneurysm. This year is not getting off to a good start.
Last fall, I changed primary care doctors. Monday when I saw him for an achy shoulder I was having, I mentioned having a migraine on Saturday. One like I hadn't had in a few years where I saw the flashing lights in my vision before the headache. In talking about it, I mentioned that I had a family history of aneurysms. My father was hospitalized with one at 36, 42 and was told last year that he has one. Whether it's the same one, I don't know. He's now 79 and does not want surgery. When he was younger, Johns Hopkins Hospital told us where it was located, it couldn't be operated on. He also had 2 cousins that had aneurysms and a grandmother die from a cerebral hemorrhage.
After telling the doctor this, although he thought the light things in my eyes was migraine related, he would like me to have a MRI and a MRA. I was already going for a MRI to see the cause of shoulder pain I have been having. I had it done on Wednesday, the 27th of January. When I saw the doctors number on caller id before 9 am the next morning, I knew that wasn't good. They said he wanted to see me at 11:30 to go over results. Now I know, you don't get results that quick for nothing wrong.
So I go in with DH, and was told that I have a 5mm wide by 4mm, projecting 7mm in height aneurysm. I could feel my insides just quivering. He asked if I had a neurosurgeon I'd like to see. I didn't know any but said I would prefer Tampa General Hospital. He immediately went out and called my bariatric surgeon for a recommendation. They were at lunch. The office then called Rose Radiology and told them I would be coming to get my films and also a CD of them. Picked them up and went home to wait for the call for the neurosurgeon appointment.
Got the call around 1:15 that I had an appt. at 3:45. Then the surgeons office called and said the appt. shouldn't have been made because the doctor would be gone for the afternoon by then. The nurse asked me some questions, left to talk to the doctor. Came back and asked if I could be there by 2:15! Umm, no, couldn't get there that fast if I walked out the door right now. So she said well, just get here as soon as you can.
This doctor actually waited for me. When does that ever happen? If I thought I was quivering and shaking inside earlier, by this time, I was shaking inside and out. I was shivering although I wasn't cold. My pressure was way up. 149 over 90, I believe. My normal is around 110 over 70.
He said I will need surgery but feels I have had this aneurysm for quite a while. I truthfully was ready to go across the street and be admitted to the hospital. Terrified but also wanting something done. He assured me that he wouldn't be sending me home if he thought it was ready to burst. He went over the options, coiling, glue and clipping. But cannot tell me what option will work until I have a cerebral angiogram done so he can see the base of the aneurysm.
Friday morning, they called to give me the appointment for the angiogram. February 8 at 6 am. I said isn't there anything sooner? She said no, the doctor said it was okay for next week. I am the type that when I know something must be done, I want it done and done, right now! But guess I will be waiting.
I will post more later so I can have a journal of sorts of this whole experience. One that I never imagined I would have.
