I’m still amazed that coughing still bothers my head. Sneezing has finally eased up, but when I cough, even the slightest “oh, I have a tickle in my throat” kind of cough, I still feel right where the annie would be. It’s just odd that still happens…or maybe it isn’t. If there is anyone out there who still experiences discomfort with their coiled annie even 8 or more months after the surgery, let me know.
Category: Brain Aneurysm
A Test
Dave and I drove to NY to visit my family for the first time since my rupture last October. My sister Dori had flown in for my surgery, but no one else has seen me since I was in ICU. Thankfully, I looked much better than I did then!
Dave did all the driving and it’s probably a good thing. The drive was very tiring for me. I was still awake at the end of the 11 hour drive, but I can’t say I was too alert! LOL We did a lot of visiting, but kept our schedule relatively open to leave us free time so I could rest…which I didn’t do much of. Only a couple of days during the trip did I really “feel” it. As I walked, I kept waiting for my hind quarters to catch up with me….meaning my arse was really dragging, but it was all worth it.
One amazing thing. We stayed at a new hotel and casino. I really wasn’t sure I’d even be able to go into the casino with it’s flashing lights, bells & whistles. So, I was expecting to not even go in, but lo and behold, it didn’t bother me. The first trip through was a little rough, mostly because they allowed smoking, but was extremely well ventilated. That kind of threw me. We did not gamble, so I’m not sure if actually playing a slot machine would have bothered me. I wasn’t going to push it.
I know I waited too long to make this trip, 7 months, but I really wanted to make sure I was okay and that I could do the trip. I would have hated to get there and be useless and not be able to spend the quality time that I did with my friends and family.
Now getting back into the swing of work again, I’m really feeling the strain of looking at my computer all day as I hadn’t looked at a computer screen for seven days. I don’t think I went that long without seeing a computer when I was in the hospital. I worry about my job longevity on days the strain of looking at the screen all day bothers me. I guess until I CAN’T do this job anymore, I won’t worry about it…easier said than done though!
For those of you who have suffered a ruptured aneurysm, or have a family member who has, be patient with them and enjoy any time you have with them….it may just be your last. Savor those moments.
Migraines
I’m discovering I have different types of migraines. It wasn’t until my cousin Debbie, who is an aneurysm survivor, said she only had ocular migraines and didn’t get them until after her coiling, that I realized I am getting them too. Upon further investigation online, I’m pretty sure that IS what I’m getting because I had one last night. Of course, in my first meeting with my neurologist, I didn’t really delve into that, nor did she mention ocular migraines when I mentioned how my eyes get funky, then after 20 minutes, they’re okay.
On the Cleveland Clinic website it said this:
Ocular migraine can produce various degrees of vision loss or obstruction. Some patients, says Dr. Mays, report blind spots or “holes,” referring to missing sections in the normal visual field, or they may experience a shade of black or gray over the visual field. Some people compare the visual phenomena of ocular migraine to the patterns produced by an old television with faulty reception, says Dr. Mays. “Others say it’s like looking through watery glass.” Ocular migraine symptoms are temporary and do not harm the eye; but they can interfere with daily activities, such as reading and driving and can interrupt the work day.
Since 1976, I have suffered with the horrible Aura migraines which have effected every female member of my immediate family, other than my niece thankfully.
What I do not know yet, is if this is the only type of migraine I’ll experience now since my annie. Wishful thinking on my part probably. The difficult part will be figuring out what is an aura migraine and what is an ocular migraine because I need to take pills immediately upon those first visual symptoms of the aura migraine in order for the pills to kick and take effect. Should be fun! NOT!
I had a long, tiring day yesterday with a lot of talking and being talked to a lot at work. My brain worked overtime and I was exhausted when I got home. The eyes started in around 9:30 with the shades of black & gray over my right eye. I closed my eyes for about 15 minutes, took two Tylenol, but thankfully it dissipated within the next 10 minute with no pain. I like that they’re temporary and don’t have the pain of the aura migraines. I can handle that.
First Full Week of Work
I did it….well, ALMOST! I worked a full week, but worked from home on Thursday due to a snow storm. The other four days, it was 8:00 to 4:30 for the first time since last October.
My eyes get very tired easily still and physically I get tired, but not too bad. I have finally forced myself to get up and get away from my computer, even if it’s for 10 minutes. That seems to help. I’ve been eating better the last several weeks. No eating as much sugar and flour products and I think that’s helping as well. I don’t FEEL as tired that’s for sure.
It has been a long six months, but I’ve come a long, long way. I’m proud of myself. I feel like I should celebrate in some fashion…take myself out to dinner or buy myself a bouquet of flowers and have them sent to work or something. Maybe I’ll just make myself some scones to celebrate on Easter weekend. Yeah, that’ll probably be it.
I still get caught up in the daily frustrations of the company and my coworkers. That will never change. I’m TRYING to just realize there are important things to get upset about and there are unimportant things that shouldn’t take up that much of my energy. It’s a hard lesson to learn. Old habits die hard, but things have been worse. My life could have been much worse as a result of the annie, but I’m still here and I should remember that I’m actually very lucky to be experiencing the day-to-day “crap” in the work world. I know I missed the daily human contact with others while I was homebound.
It’s very difficult for me in the mornings when I say good morning to say someone and they say “What’s so good about it”, or anything else that’s negative to not get into their face and say “You have a job! You’re walking, talking, thinking and breathing! You’re ALIVE…now shut up!”. We take so much for granted on a daily basis. I’m guilty and I’m sure are too. Take advantage of, and live your life to the fullest. If you have wanted to take the quick weekend getaway? Do it! If you want to spend a day at a spa? Do it! Treat yourself. You only have one life.
Heidi's Brain Blog 