When a ruptured brain aneurysm caused Arthur “Chip” Benson to lose consciousness during a swim workout in 2007, his life changed in an instant. Nearly two decades and five treated aneurysms later, Chip shares his story of survival, perseverance, and gratitude.

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My name is Arthur (Chip) Benson. I live just outside of Boston, MA. I am an active swimmer in a Master’s program. In 2007, I was in the middle of an adult swim team workout when I had a brain aneurysm rupture, and I immediately lost consciousness and sank to the bottom of the pool. One of my teammates, a doctor, realized I was on the bottom of the pool and pulled me out. Fortunately, in addition to him, there was another doctor and two nurses in the pool that day.  

I was taken to the local hospital, where I regained consciousness and was told that I had to be rushed (in morning commuter traffic) to Mass General Hospital in Boston. There, I was diagnosed with two aneurysms – one ruptured and one not. Over the course of 3 days, I underwent 2 craniotomies, and both aneurysms were clipped. I spent 3 weeks in the ICU.  And to add a hint of humor to a serious situation, while in the ICU, I remembered one day that I had a dentist appointment and called his office to cancel – he reminds me regularly when I see him that I’m the only patient he’s ever had to call and cancel from the ICU.  

Five years later, a test unveiled a 3rd aneurysm – unruptured. It seems it was there in 2007 when the first 2 were operated on. The blood loss at that time meant this wasn’t visible on the scans. This was also clipped. Ten years later in 2022, after experiencing headaches, I was diagnosed with a 4th aneurysm, which was closed with a coil. And – for hopefully the last chapter in this saga – less than a year later, I was diagnosed with a 5th aneurysm, which was closed with a stent.

Dr. Ogilvy (my surgeon for all 5 procedures) told me that he and his team are convinced this is the last one. In fact, while I was in the recovery room, he told me, “We’ve caught the white whale!” – referencing the Moby Dick novel. Brain aneurysms are more common than suspected; most of us are not aware of them, and significantly more people have experienced them than any of us suspect. I support the Brain Aneurysm Foundation to ensure that support is available to others who have themselves or had family members or friends undergo this. I’m now happily retired (still swimming!) and living with my wife of almost 50 years in the town where I grew up.