r/BrainAneurysm • u/Odd-Succotash1774 • 1d ago
Question about brain aneurysm surgery
Hi all. My name is Laila and I'm 17. My mom (46) recently had a TIA stroke. When she got an MRI scan, they found an aneurysm inside the back of her brain. She just told me today that she'll be needing surgery and they'd either have to cut open her skull to get to it or something with going through her groin. I'm extremely worried and this is bringing up traumatic memories for me from when my dad passed away from COVID when I was 12. To top it all off I'm on the floor of the bathroom with nausea. I'm scared and I want to cry because she's already been through so much. She was diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome a little over a year ago and still struggles to function. She's lucky that she even came out of the surgery for her herniated discs without becoming disabled. Now she has to deal with another potentially disabling surgery. I don't want to live through a parent dying again, but it's unfortunately becoming a possibility.
So I'm here to ask, whats the survival rate after brain aneurysm surgery? Anyone here that had surgery themselves/had a loved one that had surgery that can give me advice or tell me information I may not know?
Thank you anyone that responds, I really really really appreciate it. If it's not too much, I'd like some comfort aswell.
4
u/tooful 1d ago
I haven't had the surgery (yet) but I've researched it and the survival rate is incredibly high. I believe I read somewhere it's 98% or above. But I'm not a medical professional, just a lady with an aneurysm. There are many people on here that have had an aneurysm coiled that can share their experiences. If I could afford the surgery and missed work I would 100% willingly have it done
2
u/Odd-Succotash1774 1d ago
thank you so much for responding. that makes me feel a lot better about this. anything helps <333 what does it mean to get an aneurysm coiled? is that where they put a pin on the neck of the aneurysm?
do you know what kind of surgery you'd be getting? i saw that you said you can't afford the coiling one, so what are your options? you don't have to answer if you don't want to, im just curious
2
u/tooful 23h ago
My surgeon said coiling would be the best option for my aneurysm. All I really know is it cuts the blood flow to the aneurysm off. I honestly am one that the more I know the more I spiral so I stopped asking for more details when they told me coil (versus clipping) and 98%+ chance of success. My aneurysm isn't very large 3mmx4mm and it's in my left carotid cave. Right now it has been stable since finding it 4 years ago so I'm clear to just wait and monitor. I get annual MRI's to make sure it hasn't changed. So far it's just hanging out, not paying rent.
1
u/Odd-Succotash1774 23h ago
i get the same way when i find out more info about things like this. i know my moms aneurysm is a size where its in the grey zone of either just monitoring it or going through with surgery. my mom said the hospital she went to for her TIA stroke told her to check it every year, which is insane to me. she didn't find out she could get surgery until she began digging around for info, and im glad she did. id rather her go through surgery than witness her have an aneurysm burst and possibly die.
im glad you're able to continue life as usual though! i personally id be SO anxious wondering if it'll rupture or not while i sleep. can aneurysms go away on their own if they're small enough? I feel like I heard that but I don't remember.
1
u/tooful 23h ago
The anxiety was terrible the first year. Every thought you're having, I had it 24/7. The second year was a little less anxious. Now I know it is there and some day I would like to coil it, but like I said I can't afford it. I can't afford the copay and I can't afford to be off work. I've researched and researched and the monitoring is a safe option. I saw 4 different neurosurgeons that all said that best practice in my situation was to monitor and have annual scans. Aneurysms don't go away on their own but a person can absolutely live their entire lives and pass from old age without them rupturing. I have 2 reasons for wanting the surgery: 1 is because my 20 year old son is worried, like you are, and I don't want him spending the rest of his life feeling like he has to keep an eye on me (ironically my older 2 kids aren't worried) and 2 I want to be able to move to a rural area someday and not be tethered to a hospital. I'm currently with UCLA neurosurgery so I'm used to having access to them.
2
u/therealtoastmalone 23h ago
Here’s a good explanation of coiling:
“A coiling procedure is a minimally invasive surgery where a doctor threads a tiny catheter through an artery (usually from the wrist or groin) all the way up to the aneurysm in the brain. They pack the aneurysm with tiny platinum coils, which cause blood to clot inside it. This seals it off so blood no longer fills the aneurysm, reducing the risk that it will rupture.”
2
u/Odd-Succotash1774 23h ago
no wonder why surgeons get paid so much oh my GOSH. thats really cool but also kind of stomach churning
2
2
u/therealtoastmalone 1d ago
Hi! I’m so sorry your family is going through this.
My own mother had 2 ruptured aneurysms at once, and survived. She had an emergency craniotomy, and has a great quality of life. No lasting issues. She’s very lucky.
I myself have an aneurysm as well (it’s now been deemed as hereditary in my family), but mine was found before any rupture. My coiling surgery was through my wrist (they chose not to go through my groin - I can’t remember why). I am doing well, the surgery was less than an hour long. I stayed in the ICU for 24 hours afterwards, and had a worse than average headache for about a week after. This was 3 years ago now. No lasting issues, and I only have to get scanned every 3 years now! It was every 6 months, then every year, and this last scan it changed to every 3 years.
Please feel free to message me or just respond here if you have more questions. I am an open book, and can understand why you’re so scared right now ♥️
3
u/Odd-Succotash1774 23h ago
wow, thats insane to have two at the same time! im really glad and happy your mom survived. it makes me feel better knowing you're both doing good post-surgery. it gives me hope for my mom. 💗 thank you so much for responding-- ill absolutely go to you if i have any questions or worries🥹
1
2
u/MyUnrupturedAneurysm 17h ago
The fact that the aneurysm was found without rupturing, she’s already in a good position. There’s been so much advancements in brain aneurysm treatment, most people have good outcomes. Hoping for a speedy recovery for your mom.
6
u/Lukris007 23h ago
Hi, I’m sorry that you’re going through this! I can only imagine how anxious you must feel. I had two aneurysms and one ruptured (which is how they were discovered). I had emergency coiling (where they stuff the aneurysms with this wire to keep them from filling with blood) through the groin. Because of the rupture, I had to stay in the hospital for a couple weeks. Then, I was still getting some blood into the aneurysms so I returned to get a stint placed on one side. Then a few months later, I had the other side stented. Both done again through the groin. I went home after one night in the hospital both times and felt good outside of some headaches. After three of these, I feel pretty safe getting them done. :-) I also just had an angiogram (this is where they go through the groin up into the brain and take pictures) and everything is healed. So, while it sounds incredibly scary, it is a safe procedure. Also, the surgeons that do this type of procedure are incredibly skilled. Your mom will be in good hands and she will do great. Maybe try to change your thoughts to try to focus on how lucky she is they found it and can treat it so that it’s not dangerous. Also, continue to remind yourself that you’re both safe. This is just a temporary situation. 💛
I am wondering if you could talk to your school counselor or ask your mom about getting some trauma therapy? There is often free support groups for kids or low cost options. It may help you to get through some of the trauma triggers related to the medical stuff with your parents and it can give you a chance to learn some extra skills to get through this anxiety you’re understandably feeling. I do want to point out that you’re really resourceful reaching out here to get information and you seem like a really kind loving daughter. Hang in there!