Brain aneurysm survivor, Mom of 4
I suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2017
I have chronic headaches, PTSD, depression, and anxiety as a result of what happened to me.
I have four sons, including a set of triplets
This blog is my story about navigating life as a brain injury survivor.
My Latest Posts
• • •
- Six Feet Under****Major spoilers ahead for the HBO series Six Feet Under**** Before my stroke, my favorite show was Six Feet Under. From here on out, abbreviated SFU. SFU aired on HBOContinue reading “Six Feet Under”
- Parenting with an injured brainMy kids are struggling. Parenting is hard enough. Parenting with a brain injury seems so much worse. My oldest son, 8, is autistic. Since he started third grade, he hasContinue reading “Parenting with an injured brain”
- Happy 2023I really wanted to keep up with this blog more. I like writing. It’s cathartic and therapeutic. I’m disappointed in myself for not writing more. I’m trying my best. BetweenContinue reading “Happy 2023”
- I mostly hate my shuntI developed hydrocephalus as a result of my ruptured brain aneurysm. From the Mayo Clinic: Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid in the cavities (ventricles) deep within the brain. TheContinue reading “I mostly hate my shunt”
- Memory LossTrigger warning: mention of sexual assault I used to religiously follow the National Hockey League (NHL). Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been a super fan of the PittsburghContinue reading “Memory Loss”
- The High Cost of LivingLast weekend, I worked. I had a stretch of working 7 days in a row. It was taxing because of the different assignments I had each day. On day six,Continue reading “The High Cost of Living”
- More medication adventuresMy last round of Botox left me with some strange complications. The day after the shots, I developed a stabbing pain in the corner of my left eye. It wasContinue reading “More medication adventures”
- Mini life updateI can feel the Botox wearing off. My neck and shoulders are stiff. I’ve needed the Ubrelvy more in the last week than I’m used to. My appointment is lateContinue reading “Mini life update”
- Fertility meets strokeMy children were all wanted. So much so, that I underwent four rounds of in vitro fertilization to have them. Two of those rounds were complete failures. The second round,Continue reading “Fertility meets stroke”
- Possible TIAI’ve had a headache for a week. Off and on, it comes and goes, but was constant yesterday. A squeezing pressure around my forehead, wrapping around my temples. My scalpContinue reading “Possible TIA”
- The Summer AheadI have a pretty stressful summer ahead. It was already stressful with my MRI. Thankfully, that’s over and everything came back ok. My son has a number of health issues.Continue reading “The Summer Ahead”
- MRII had my MRI today to check on my aneurysm and to look for new ones. Last week, the cerebrovascular center called me and told me the NP I hadContinue reading “MRI”
- Panic attackEarlier this week, I had the worst panic attack of my life. I’ve been on a nightly dose of Klonopin for the last couple of years. My psychiatrist put meContinue reading “Panic attack”
- Quick updateI was supposed to get my next round of Botox shots this week. Because of the new schedule at work, I had to push it back. The Botox has alwaysContinue reading “Quick update”
- Five years agoFive years ago today, my brain aneurysm ruptured. I had a number of surgeries, complications, and after-effects. I had coils placed, and then an external ventricular drain. I developed TakotsuboContinue reading “Five years ago”
- My son’s brain injuryMy family members have many complicated medial issues. My son was born with a coarctation of his aorta. He had heart surgery when he was six weeks old and weighedContinue reading “My son’s brain injury”
- AphasiaThis week, American actor Bruce Willis, aged 67, famous for blockbuster movies including the Die Hard series, announced he is taking a step back from acting due to aphasia. WhileContinue reading “Aphasia”
- Vision ProblemsWhen I had my stroke, the after effect that lingered the longest was double vision. It lasted for about four months. I remember being driven to an outpatient appointment, andContinue reading “Vision Problems”
- It shouldn’t be this difficultI’m due for an MRA of the brain this year. This is a type of MRI that looks into the blood vessels. They can visualize my aneurysm and check forContinue reading “It shouldn’t be this difficult”
- A letter to myself at age 23Dear me, Congratulations on your doctorate and finishing your residency! You worked so hard, and you’ve accomplished so much. You’ve come such a long way. I know you’ve been toldContinue reading “A letter to myself at age 23”
Blissful Brain 