Tag: stress

More Brain Bling?

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This morning we met with my doctor to discuss the results of my angiogram, his findings, his recommendations, and the next course of action.

FINDINGS:

  • In comparing the most recent angiogram with the angiogram from 2016, there are “significant changes” in the bloody remnant in the neck of the aneurysm.
  • This finding gave my doctor “anxiety that it is at risk” of rupturing in the future again.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • Place a flow diverter inside my existing stent to prevent more blood from getting into the neck of the aneurysm.
  • They may insert and expand a balloon first to push back any “tines” from the original stent to allow the new flow diverter to be positioned better.
  • The Surpass flow diverter is a more flexible stent that should adhere better to my “ugly” and “challenging” arterial structure around the aneurysm.
  • It’s an endovascular procedure, so not open head surgery.
  • Bringing in an additional doctor with knowledge of this procedure and flow diverter to assist if need be.

MY DECISION:

  • To go ahead with this procedure here at Maine Med.
  • Will be put on blood thinners (Plavix and full-strength aspirin) the week prior to procedure then remain on both for 6-months after.
  • Procedure could be as early as March.

There is a good video about administering the Surpass flow diverter on this page, although it doesn’t show it being deployed inside another diverter: Surpass Flow Diverter

I was surprised to read on my blog that I’ve been dealing with the stress of this darn remnant for 11 years now. When the re-coil and stent didn’t do the job, the next course of action would be the stent within a stent. If THIS doesn’t work, there is a possibility we could sacrifice that entire section of artery, but I’m counting on it working so let’s not even go there.

Making this decision with Dave by my side gave me a sense of relief. Relief in knowing I’m doing something about it and there is a plan of action. I have great faith in my doctor and his familiarity with my case, my brain, and this particular brain aneurysm for the past 11 years. I know he wouldn’t make a recommendation unless he felt there was a good chance of success. And so far, he hasn’t been wrong.

Still here

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It has been a minute since I last posted and I suppose that’s GOOD news. While I continue to advocated for brain aneurysm awareness whenever, and wherever I can, I am reminded again, about my own brain aneurysm issues.

I had my 2-year MRA check up on December 3rd. The initial “report” available to me online indicated some things remained unchanged, but some new things have developed on the big old original aneurysm that made its presence known in October, 2006 – fifteen years ago.

There is something that HAS changed, but the medical jargon used in the report is beyond me. So I have to wait for the follow-up appointment scheduled for January 4th before I can see the images and discuss what’s going on with my doctor. His extremely brief follow-up notes on the report indicated he wants me to have an angiogram.

I haven’t needed an angiogram since 2016, so I know they see something that needs a closer look. But once you read something like that, you can’t UNREAD it, so the mind starts to race on what exactly it is and how serious it may or may not be.

The fact I haven’t had to have a closer look in five years is certainly discerning and one doesn’t like to read a report with the words “however”, “changes”, and “has developed”. It was this sentence though “…which is highly suggestive of coil compaction and recurrent aneurysm filling…” that hit me hardest.

I’m praying it’s only a small blip and that the angiogram will show it’s nothing to be concerned about. I’ve lived with this “remnant” of blood in the neck of that aneurysm for years. I just hope I’m not doing something that is causing it to “develop”.

Now that I’ve “spoken” about it, hopefully I can forget about it over the holidays until the start of the new year.

I’ll let you all know what’s going on when I know what’s going on. Umm….but Merry Christmas! 🙂

Two-Year Checkup 2018

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I had my two-year MRA last weekend. Another trip down to Scarborough. This time on a Saturday afternoon, which was unusual and nice. Less traffic and great parking! My choice of music was 80’s pop and the whole thing took less than 20 minutes. Bada bing, bada boom. They used a combo of ear plugs and then placed ear phones over that. So, the sound of the MRI machine was significantly muffled. Nice!

It’s amazing how your mind plays with your emotions during that period of waiting. Especially when a potential vacation could be derailed if things have changed dramatically and I was told not to fly. A lot was riding on my brain and it had been a longer stretch of time between checkups.

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So, today I finally got the results back and this report was good. Nothing had changed from two years ago and we’ll do it all again in two years. (2020!) I still have that remnant of blood getting in to the neck of my first brain aneurysm, but the fact it stayed the same is good. Do I think I’m free and clear of ever having any other issues? No, but for now…I’ll take it. And I’m glad I didn’t have to endure ANOTHER angiogram. I’ll have to go back and check out my blog to see just how many I have had since 2006.

I’m still a survivor.

Look out Scotland & Northern Ireland! Here we come!

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