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Recovery after Brain Aneurysm

Continued Progress

I have returned to work as usual, and while I still use my ankle-foot orthotics for walking when I have my shoes on and still continue with physical therapy to regain full mobility in my hips and to improve the polyneuropathy in my feet, I have regained much of the normalcy in my life.

Happily I now no longer require any dressing aids, have regained much mobility in my hips, no longer require crutches when walking around the house and can walk without my ankle foot orthotics, and no longer require hand controls for driving.

There are many instances when I realize just how lucky I am, most often, when I am playing with my now four-year-old daughter, whom I can almost keep up with. I came across a very interesting scientific article on aneurysms that truly highlights how fortunate I have been. To quote from the article, "Autopsy data has revealed that 2% of the population harbor a cerebral aneurysm, and half of these patients present with subarachnoid hemorrhage. A variable incidence of cerebral aneurysms has been presented, ranging from 6 to 11 per 100 000/year. Of the victims of subarachnoid hemorrhage, one-third die or have severe disability, one-third have mild to moderate disability, and one-third return to former activities." My recovery following my brain aneurysm would not have been possible without the expertise, hard work, perseverance and dedication of the many doctors, nurses, therapists and health practitioners that have worked with me.

Throughout my recovery, I had tremendous motivational and emotional support from my family, friends and colleagues. My parents, brother and sister-in-law flew from Canada to be by my side and the health care team agreed that their presence was invaluable to my rehabilitation process.

I am a walking example of the importance of every discipline in the health professions, including medical technology, pharmacy, radiography, nuclear imaging, ultrasound, respiratory therapy, speech pathology, neuropsychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and will forever be grateful to all the people who have been involved in my care. I feel extremely fortunate to have been attended to by the innumerable people who have dedicated their lives, so that others can lead normal lives. In the health professions, you have the opportunity to make a difference in other people's lives. This is certainly a great responsibility, but I hope, a very rewarding aspect of your career. So, on behalf of myself, my family and friends, I thank you for choosing such noble professions and wish you all the very best of success as a health professional!