First of all, I want to say how fantastic I think this site is! I found this quite by accident. I wish I would have found it sooner. If there is a way to let hospitals know, it would be great if they would inform patients and their family members.
I will not give all the details of my experience now. My ordeal began on January 1, 2001. On Jan. 7, I underwent surgery to clip my ruptured aneurysm. A couple of days later I had a second surgery to insert a shunt. I spent the entire month of January in OSU Medical Center and then the month of February in OSU's Dodd Hall (rehab center). I have no memory of January at all.
I felt terrible for a long time. I vomited at least once a day for three months. I could eat or drink hardly anything (everything tasted terrible). I ended up in the emergency room June 29 with kidney stones probably caused by dehydration. Now I force myself to drink water.
When I first started rehab, I had to be taught how to get into and out of a wheelchair. I worked up to walking with a walker and then with a cane. I was discharged from Dodd Hall on Feb. 28, 2001. I continued with outpatient therapy from March to May. Sometime in the middle of May, I started walking unassisted. My mother was my therapist at home. I owe much credit to her. I consider walking my greatest accomplishment so far.
I remember having a conversation with my husband in which I told him that I sometimes I wished I would have died. (We have two children - ages 9 and 11.) I told him that if I ever had another aneurysm to just let me die.
I started taking Effexor (antidepressant) in September. I can't tell you what a huge difference this has made. I thank God every day for letting me have my life and family. I am starting to cook again. I am driving short distances locally. I help my children study and do homework. I am enjoying relations with my husband again. I am hoping to go back to work in February. (I am a teacher at a middle school.)
Most of the time I feel "normal" again. My walking is a little awkward. (I don't run or jump.) I started riding a bike again. I am a lot like a child learning to ride and balance again. I have to take my 11 year-old with me to watch for cars, and I always wear a helmet which I never did before. My left hand is still weak and uncoordinated. But overall I am thrilled with my life. I appreciate many little things. I am proud of how far I have come and how hard I worked. I have a wonderful family, much encouragement from my pastor and church family, and many supportive friends and acquaintances.
Everyone told me to be patient; recovery is a very slow process. I now know it was worth it. My new family physician talked to me about antidepressants several times before my sister convinced me to try them. The medication was wonderful for me. I encourage patients to talk honestly with their doctors and be open to whatever help is offered.
I offer my best wishes and prayers to anyone suffering now. Remember - patience is a great virtue!