Introduction

A small subset of hemorrhagic stroke survivors never find out what caused their bleeds. This is call perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although very rare, this episode has three survivors , Alison, Cheryl, and Eryn, who have found each other and have helped each through their recoveries. Having a community that have experienced what you have in your brain really helps you heal. Listen to learn more!

Summary

Cheryl Divito, Eryn, and Alison discuss their experiences with perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the challenges they faced. Cheryl shares her story of experiencing a brain bleed while attending her son's graduation and the subsequent hospitalization and recovery process. They discuss symptoms such as headaches, different-sized pupils, and difficulty walking. The conversation also touches on the lack of understanding and support from medical professionals and the importance of finding a community of survivors who can relate to their experiences. Brain injury survivors with rare subtypes of brain bleeds often feel isolated due to the lack of understanding and support. The medical community may not provide adequate follow-up care or address the ongoing symptoms and concerns of these survivors. It is important for survivors to advocate for themselves and seek out the necessary medical care and support. Coping with the fear of recurrence and focusing on positivity and gratitude can help survivors navigate their recovery journey. In this conversation, Cheryl, Alison, and Eryn discuss their experiences with stroke recovery and the importance of finding support and understanding. They touch on topics such as advocating for oneself, the role of healthcare professionals, the impact of COVID-19 on recovery, the importance of self-care and positive self-talk, and the concept of managing energy levels using the 'spoon theory'. They emphasize the need for a support system and finding a balance between acknowledging and moving forward from the stroke experience.

Keywords

perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain bleed, hospitalization, recovery, symptoms, medical professionals, community, brain injury, isolation, rare subtypes, brain bleed, support, medical care, follow-up, ongoing symptoms, advocacy, fear of recurrence, positivity, gratitude, stroke recovery, support system, advocating for oneself, healthcare professionals, COVID-19 impact, self-care, positive self-talk, spoon theory, managing energy levels

Takeaways

· Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a condition where the brain bleeds without a known cause.

· Symptoms of perimesencephalic SAH can include severe headaches, different-sized pupils, and difficulty walking.

· Medical professionals may downplay the severity of perimesencephalic SAH, leading to a lack of understanding and support for survivors.

· Finding a community of survivors who can relate to their experiences can be helpful in navigating the challenges of recovery. Survivors of rare subtypes of brain bleeds often feel isolated due to the lack of understanding and support.

· The medical community may not provide adequate follow-up care or address the ongoing symptoms and concerns of these survivors.

· It is important for survivors to advocate for themselves and seek out the necessary medical care and support.

· Coping with the fear of recurrence and focusing on positivity and gratitude can help survivors navigate their recovery journey. Advocating for oneself is crucial in stroke recovery, as healthcare...