On August 8, 2006, I suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. I am a 42 year old woman living alone. My children had moved out of state and had started their own lives. That day I had gone to work and came home for lunch as I usually did, as I worked close by.

Fortunately, my sister happened to stop by that day as she was about to go on vacation. I had a very bad headache, feeling as if my head was being crushed when I began vomit and became unconscious. My sister called 911 immediately. They responded very quickly, I was sent to my local Emergency Department and from there I was airlifted to a major teaching hospital.

My family was advised to expect the worse, for me to be severely brain damaged or even dead. My children were called and they came as quickly as they could and the rest of my family gathered at the hospital waiting.

I had a ruptured brain aneurysm and a fistula in my neck coiled. They also discovered that I had 3 other brain aneurysms. They left those. I was hospitalized for over 3 weeks.

I returned back to the neuroradiologist 6 months later to have an angiogram, checking the status of the coiling that was performed and to take a look at the other unruptured aneurysms. I had another aneurysm coiled. I am due to return in another 6 months and will possibly get the last aneurysm taken care of at that time.

I truly believe I am a walking miracle. I am so lucky, I am alive and I am not brain damaged. I have minimal short term memory issues and sometimes when I walk too much, I tend to veer to the right. I did attempt to return back to work in January 2008, but I was having too many headaches. I am going to try to return to work again shortly as I am now feeling better.

It is scary to know that you have brain aneurysms. I try to live stress free. But the amazing thing is, I am alive! I am here and I am a survivor! There are some minor things I am dealing with, but nothing major. I am hoping to get back to work soon. I could not have made it this far if it was not for the support of my friends and family. Their support, love and encouragement have opened my eyes even further to appreciate this beautiful gift of life. I hope I could help another patient or family member in a similar situation in the future.

I am a very lucky woman!