PERSONAL STORY OF ONE OF OUR MEMBERS, (member no- 25)
I had a number of brain haemorrhages. I nearly died. I was fortunate
to go on a Gemma Knife at Sheffield, the treatment takes 2yrs before
you are clear, there was good news & bad, I was told to go to the LGI,
there I was told that another aneurysm was sitting right on top of my
head, I went twice before I made the decision to have surgery. I
SURVIVED & came home.
The trouble started when I came home, I wouldn't go to the front door,
I wouldn't go out, I wouldn't turn my head to the left, I held my hands
up near my face in a defensive way a lot of the time, I also started
sucking my thumb, An O.T. was allocated to work with me & this
gradually did some good. I have no idea why I started all these
mannerisms, it sounds funny now but it wasn't at the time. I felt odd &
people stared at me & I was a prisoner in my home because I could only
go out if I had someone with me. I was told it was psychological, that
I didn't do it in hospital so why at home? I do not know but it was
very real & not things I CHOSE to do. I was going deeper & deeper into
a hole.

I did have a temper before this, but it got worse after the OP. The
LGI were marvelous, after all they saved my life, but they expect you
to go home & get on with it & that is just not possible. we are all
grateful that they have saved our lives, I wouldn't knock them for
that, but I don't think they really understand the after effects. The
problems around trying to live whilst feeling & behaving in a way that
you did not before & don't understand.

My memory is affected, I can remember some things a long time ago but
often I can't remember what happened yesterday, I have been shopping
with a carer & stood at a stall & not been able to remember what to do
with the veg & which ones I needed to buy for what I wanted to make. I
cry for no apparent reason & get angry & upset & frustrated.
I have had support from lots of people but many think I should be
alright now. Every brain haemorrhage is different. However much of what
we experience after is the same. We need to make the Health people
understand that there is a problem after brain injury is sustained
I want to be back to the way I was. I WANT ME BACK.
Since Headway Bradford came about I gave them a ring, they let me talk
& understood me, I go to the meetings at Shipley Library, I've made new
friends & they all except me for who I am, I've also been on meals out
with them, at any time I feel I can ring for a chat, I'm not as isolated
as I once was.