S3E1: Dear Jesus, Don’t Let my Son Grow up Without a Mom: Survivor Story with Host Alison House

Making Headway

Intro

Welcome Back! Season Three is starting strong with a kick ass survivor and our new co-host Alison House. In today's episode, both Alison and Eryn go over their experiences as well as the many obstacles they face as stroke survivors. They share their experiences on how standing firm in their faith, showing gratitude, and spending time in nature along with engaging in relaxing activities, all played huge roles in their cognitive as well as mental recovery from brain bleeds.

Summary

Alison shares her experience of having a brain aneurysm and the symptoms she experienced leading up to it. She discusses her time in the hospital, including being in the ICU and the challenges she faced during her recovery. Alison also talks about the support she received from her loved ones and the impact the experience had on her relationship with her son. She mentions the medical procedures she underwent and the ongoing symptoms she continues to deal with. I

n this conversation, Alison and Eryn discuss their experiences with brain injuries and the challenges they faced during their recoveries. They talk about the symptoms they experienced, such as brain fog and memory loss, and the impact it had on their daily lives. They also discuss the importance of self-advocacy and finding support during the recovery process. Alison shares how her faith and connection with nature helped her find strength and inner peace. Overall, the conversation highlights the resilience and determination of individuals living with brain injuries.

Keywords

brain aneurysm, perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage, symptoms, hospital, ICU, recovery, support, medical procedures, ongoing symptoms, brain injury, recovery, symptoms, brain fog, memory loss, self-advocacy, support, faith, nature, resilience

Takeaways

• Symptoms of a brain bleed can include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and changes in vision.

• Recovery from a brain bleed can involve time in the ICU and step-down units, as well as physical therapy.

• Having a strong support system, including loved ones and healthcare professionals, is crucial during the recovery process.

• Medical procedures such as angiograms may be used to diagnose and treat brain aneurysms and other types of bleeds

• Ongoing symptoms such as memory loss, brain fog, and sensitivity to light and sound can persist after a brain bleed. Brain fog is a common symptom of brain injury, characterized by a fuzzy and staticky feeling in the mind.

• Self-advocacy is crucial during the recovery process, as individuals may need to seek out appropriate care and support.

• Finding support from friends, family, and community organizations can greatly impact the recovery journey.

• Connecting with nature and finding inner strength can help individuals navigate the challenges of brain injury.

• Resilience and determination are key in overcoming the physical and emotional obstacles of brain injury.

Sound Bites

• "I'm so excited to be your new co-host and just looking forward to all of our adventures and episodes and looking really forward to sharing my story with everyone today."

• "I had some headaches that didn't go away. A lot of fatigue to the point where I was napping daily, which I'm normally not a napper."

• "The day of my bleed was a pretty typical day. I had gone to the gym. I just did a little light workout, nothing strenuous."

• "It's sort of like having the black and white television on, but where the channels don't work, like that channel that doesn't come in, it's all just like fuzzy and staticky. That's brain fog."

• "I think it's a big, it's a big, it's being used a lot with COVID. People keep talking about, I have brain fog, I have brain fog. And everyone's like, yeah, I have brain fog. But I don't think people really understand what it is."

• "I can't do that. I have all of these symptoms that we just talked about, the fog, the memory, the fatigue, the irritability, the photo and sound sensitivity."

Chapters

00:00The Journey: From Symptoms to Diagnosis

06:03Navigating the Hospital: ICU and Step-Down Units

09:02The Importance of Support During Recovery

27:23Dealing with Ongoing Symptoms

29:14Understanding Brain Fog and Memory Loss

31:18Challenges in the Hospital and Transitioning Home

34:06The Importance of Self-Advocacy

36:13The Role of Support and Caregivers

38:05Finding Resources for Recovery

39:40Discovering Inner Strength and Faith

43:05Exploring Nature and Finding Peace

45:21Embracing a Modified Life and Resilience

49:17Reflecting on the Journey and Growth

52:23The Power of Faith and Inner Strength

55:27Choosing Resilience and Overcoming Obstacles

58:37Building Community and Finding Support

Connect with us

@makingheadwaypodcast

@alison_makingheadwaypodcast

@eryn_makingheadwaypodcast

https://www.makingheadwaypodcast.com/