Surviving a Ruptured Brain Aneurysm
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- Опубліковано 2 січ 2023
- When Bobbye Cohen suddenly felt the worst headache of her life, she knew to call 911. Her brain aneurysm had been monitored for years, but the unexpected rupture led to a coma. Watch Bobbye's journey to recovery, aided by the UVA Neuro team and her remarkable spirit.
Transcript
Bobbye Cohen:
I met my husband Michael Cohen, playing city league volleyball almost 40 years ago. In 2013, I experienced a high blood pressure incident, which took me to the emergency room. It was discovered that I had a very, very small aneurysm. In November of 2021, my annual MRI showed a very slight change. I experienced a severe headache.
Mike Cohen:
And Bobbye said she didn't feel good, and I grabbed her as she sort of went unconscious.
Bobbye Cohen:
We knew that if I ever said that I had the worst headache of my life, it was a 911 call. We were aware of the cons… of what would happen if my aneurysm did rupture.
Mike Cohen:
I got her to UVA where , they started treating her immediately.
Ryan Kellogg, MD:
When Bobbye initially arrived, um, she was neurologically very unstable. She was in a deep coma.
Mike Cohen:
Prognosis was well, it was terrible. I went home and told my daughter that it was very possible that Bobbye would not be surviving this aneurysm.
Ryan Kellogg, MD:
Perhaps the biggest challenge with treating her is just how to manage the aneurysm initially. There's two kind of mainstay therapies for ruptured aneurysms: One is a open craniotomy where we remove part of the skull. The other option is to treat it endovascular. Well, where we go in through an artery with a small catheter or tube, get into the aneurysm and then seal it off from the inside. So Bobbye underwent endovascular coiling of her rupturing aneurysm and navigating a small catheter and a wire into the aneurysm, and then blocking off the blood flow into the aneurysm the inside. This was successful as we were able to get coils into the aneurysm, which then creates clot and seals aneurysm off to prevent it from re-rupturing.
Bobbye Cohen:
I was admitted to the NNICU, which is a Neurointensive care unit where I remained a patient for six weeks.
Ryan Kellogg, MD:
My first interaction with Bobbye's husband, Mike, I had met him in the intensive care unit or bedside, and at that point, he rightfully so, had a number of fears about her condition. So we took the time to discuss the general history of what happens with patients that suffer ruptured aneurysms, what to expect in their recovery and care. And probably most importantly, to understand that there are often times number of hiccups outside of just the brain function that have to be overcome in the course of care. And given the shape and size aneurysm, it certainly presented a challenge. But ultimately, I think we made the correct decision in her management.
Mike Cohen:
Just a terrific doctor and also a skilled technician because in the middle of her procedure, he knew I was very fearful when they were repairing her aneurysm. He had them call me during the operation and give me a heads up that things were going very well, better than he expected. He came to see Bobbye after her recovery and there was as good as he could expect, and there was no further damage. So it was a win.
Bobbye Cohen:
All I wanted to do was come back whole. I think I came back better than whole. I was encouraged physically and emotionally. My spiritual path was encouraged and lightened because of all the people that were caring for me.
Mike Cohen:
I mean, I love Bobbye more than I did when I saw her on that volleyball court. And I was pretty much in love from first sight.
Bobbye Cohen:
A day doesn't go by that I'm not grateful or that I don't think about this experience.
My father had a ruptured brain aneurysm about two months ago. He told me he had the worst headache he’s ever had before and told me to call 911. The paramedics got to our home within 2 minutes. He’s now awake and in rehab, he remembers a lot of things and he’s a true success story. They say he can get close to a 100% recovery. He had to be in an induced coma for 4 weeks, he has a stint, and had 2 drains. He’s now talking to everyone and doing really well. The drs said with his condition when he came in he was within the 15% success rate. They are all amazed how far he’s come.
AMEN ✝️ Even with the worst medical prognosis, God is still our Great Physican and performing His finest miracles.
This is a very encouraging. My mom had a ruptures brain aneurysm and a stroke. She is still in a coma 9 days later but I know she will come through this with God's Grace. All her vitals are good. Your story encouraged me. Thank you.
God always answers our prayers. We pray, trust, n hv faith. God bless ❤
Thank You for the encouragement. My girlfriend of 24 years just had a aneurysm yesterday. They coiled 2 of them and it went well. Waiting on her to wake up from surgery. They are keeping her down so her brain doesnt swell. Thank You Again
Incredible! I can barely tell something had happened to her. She escaped with very minimal injury. She does seem slightly slow, but that also could be just the aging process, as well.
In September 2019 I found out I have a brain aneurysm.. One of my doctors want to get tested again.. I am so terrified he mentioned about cutting my skull and that freaked me out.. my neurologist wants me to go to a neurosurgeon again.. so I went and now I have to go for a cat scan within a month or two..
Hey brotha you aren’t alone, after a terrible hard hockey hit to the head I went for an mri a couple months later and they discovered I had a very small one on my carotid artery in my head. I have to get another mri in July but keep me posted. We can walk thru this together on here. I believe it takes a good 5 years for it to grow bigger but the good news is they discovered it so they just gotta monitor it. Have you had any vertigo symptoms at all?
Thats my aunt!🥰
That's really cool! how's your aunt, today?
She is a true warrior, not an easy thing to go through. Bless her heart
What a beautiful out come! Thank you for sharing your story!
I had 3 in 2014 ( sorry for my spelling) I was at work felt something front of my head . I could smell taste every thing around me .the taste and smell was so strong then I was about to pass out but i fought it .but shit my head I was in pain but it passed . following week I was about to work out then are started seeing things lights then all of sudden I started vomiting running to the wash room ???? Thinking my stomach does not hurt walk back thinking what the f uck but then I blacked out. Got u ran back to washroom again vomiting bit now there is nothing on my stomach just bury heaves ????? Took shower went to see doctor .told my symptoms she said omg go to the hospital I will call and ambulance I said I will drive she says no I say yes. So I did drive to the emergency room doctor ask me tones of ???? Were u hit in the head were u in the military yes 20 years ago same ??? For 20m he says u should not be standing here? I told him I feel better. He says if this happens again go to the emergency ! So im wait to be checked out in 20m the nurse walks in tells me doctor wants an mri I said ok they take me to mri I started vomiting again the nurse says are u 😨 of small space I say. No !! Get back to room waiting then doctor runs in says u have bleeding in the brain
There is a lot more will come back
My mum in hospital right now 😭😭😭, how long take you to recover , please reply
Sorry at all depends on if it bleed out
Its all different for everyone !!
Please she will be alright