Tip #9

Have goals and be optimistic. Recovery is a lifelong process, and that shouldn’t discourage you from living your life to the fullest. Have goals and aim at achieving them, do not procrastinate. Take it as being granted a second chance in life, give it your very best. Remember, life stops when you stop living and begin existing. I’m sure, if you are like me, you are more curious to know why God saved your life. Do not think too hard, enjoy your life by spreading the love. Don’t forget to thank Him every day for the gift of life.

Tip #8

Take one day at a time during recovery. If you are blessed enough to make it to recovery, which I hope you or your loved one makes it, take it slow. Do not push yourself too hard. Remember that we are all different and we heal at different rates. Try to think positive and do not put so much blame on yourself for things that you had no control over. The fact that you are alive should give you a reason to be curious enough to see what tomorrow has in store for you. God has a special purpose for you. He chose you to bear that burden because He saw something in you that qualified you for that responsibility. Do not feel depressed if you are unable to do the things that you used to do before or if your memory is not as sharp as before. Give it time and do some memory exercises. One thing you must remember is that healing begins from within. When your soul is healed, your body will surely heal.

If you are a caregiver, please be patient with your loved one.Bear in mind that recovery is probably harder for patients compared to the treatment. When your loved one realizes that he or she can’t do the things they used to do before or just the thought of how life has changed for them and those around them, they feel like a burden to you. You are the only person to reassure them and give them hope when all seems to have been lost. Most patients will suffer from at least one form of depression and will lack interest in doing most things in life. It is okay and normal. Take it slow and be patient. Things will improve with time. Know when to ask for help, do not allow yourself to reach the burnout point.

If you are a caregiver and have lost a loved one due to a brain aneurysm, do not be consumed by stress. You had no control over what happened. Life is such a priceless thing, and only God can give it and take it away at His own timing. No matter how painful it is, the sad truth is that we all have a way to exit this life, and when our time comes, nothing can stop us from leaving. Pray for your loved one and know that it was their time to go and set them free.

Tip #7

Taking an Aspirin is optional. Always consult with your medical provider if you are unsure. Weigh the risks versus the benefits. The use of aspirin has been a controversial conversation and remains a personal choice following proper counselling from a medical provider. Aspirin is an anticoagulant, and from a personal standpoint, if you have a ruptured brain aneurysm, the risk of developing a stroke or a blood clot in the brain that can possibly lead to severe brain damage is high. Taking an aspirin (only if you are the right candidate) when you initially suspect that you have a ruptured brain aneurysm, from my personal view, can help decrease the chances of developing a stroke and/or severe brain damage. Some doctors have told me that when I took that aspirin when I started feeling that something was wrong with me, helped me gain full recovery with no complications whatsoever. Some have remained neutral about the benefits of it. In the end, it all falls back to benefit versus risk.

Tip #6

Listen to your guts. This is the most important tip of them all. When you start having symptoms and you kind of suspect that something is not right with your body, do not stop and play the waiting game. It is better to seek medical help and let them not find anything wrong with you than to wait for things to get worse. If you are a caregiver, seek immediate help if you think something is not normal with your loved one.

Tip #5

Have an emergency response system plan in place. Knowing what to do when you find yourself in an emergency scenario can help save you a lot of time and give you a peace of mind. Everybody in your household must know your country of residence emergency phone number. In most countries, it is a three digit number. When we lived in Uganda, we had taught our 3year old how to do the radio checks and he was comfortable with it. Call a friend, a neighbor, a family member, or a coworker and let them know of your situation and current plans so they can check on you since you can’t tell how fast things might change.