I am celebrating my anniversary this week. One year ago, October 5, 2000, I was saved. Saved by God, an unknown friend, a great doctor and medical staff, my family and friends. I was on a business trip traveling through Salt Lake City, UT. I don't remember flying from New York where I was on business /vacation. Apparently I was walking to my connecting flight at Salt Lake City Airport when I fell and had a Grande mal seizure. An angel, disguised as an airline employee, called the paramedics and went with me to the first hospital. Since I was now conscious and seemingly coherent, the hospital was going to release me since I told them I had an airplane to catch and I was feeling okay. However, my new friend insisted they couldn't release me since she had recognized that I had a seizure and had complained of the worst headache in my life. It was only then the hospital staff did a CT scan which indicated I had two ruptured brain aneurysms. I was transported to the University of Utah Hospital. My "angel" went with me and stayed until I was all settled in. It was there that I underwent two long brain surgeries. I was in Neuro Critical Care for 13 days.
Traveling from California, my family rotated trips to make sure there was someone with me every day. I will never be able to show my full appreciation for their love and support. I don't remember my first 12 days in the hospital except for a couple of things like my sister putting chapstick on my lips! My coworkers back in San Diego told me I called into work on the first day and discussed business and said "I need to go for brain surgery now. I'll be back at work in two weeks!" Apparently I hadn't forgotten phone numbers!
If it wasn't for the compassion and willingness to become involved of the Delta Airline employee, I would not have lived. I would have been released from the first hospital and probably not survived my next flight. That employee, Kreada, and I are now good friends. She recently received the first Salt Lake City Community Heroes award for her kindness towards me. The entire staff at Delta Airlines was wonderful in contacting my husband and assisting in travel arrangements for him and our daughter to fly to Salt Lake City.
My outstanding doctor, Dr. Randy Jensen, and the medical staff at the University of Utah Hospital were professional, friendly and showed lots of compassion and understanding to my family. They patiently answered everyone's questions time and time again. God made sure I was in great hands. The medical staff was surprised I survived and expected me to remain in the hospital for 4-6 weeks. I went home 15 days after my admittance to the hospital.
I have fewer challenges than most aneurysm patients. The healing process is much longer than I expected and I may never be back 100% to my old self. I have short term memory lost, sometimes difficulty in getting words out of my mouth, headaches and fatigue. I use to be multi-tasked oriented, but now know I can only focus on one or two things at a time. I can't handle the stress I so easily handled prior to my illness. I am starting to accept my changes and learning to work with them.
Why did I live? I had less than a 10% chance of surviving. I never thought about dying while I was in the hospital - living was the only option. God has something else he wants me to do and I am trying to determine what that is. The love, prayers and support I received from my family and friends has been overwhelming. The time I spend with my daughter and husband is more precious. They have both been my strength during these times. It is sad that it took an illness so serious to make me realize what is truly important in life. What is important to me is enjoying life and bringing happiness and love to others.
Thank you for sharing your stories on this web site. It is one of the few resources available and provides valuable insight and information on this illness. Since there are hardly any support groups focused on brain aneurysms patients this is a wonderful site. May God bless each of you.
I look forward to celebrating many recovery anniversaries in the years to come.