I am honored and humbled to be a part of this group and to participate in the KAT-Walk each year. Meeting other survivors has been rewarding and inspiring as we continue to embrace and educate the brain aneurysm community throughout Maine and New England.
In addition to being a two-time brain aneurysm survivor, I lost my sister Dori to a ruptured aneurysm in 2012. Each year brings a mix of gratitude for my survival as well as a sad reminder for the loss of my much-loved sibling. Over the past 19 years, I have comforted and been comforted by others who have lost loved ones to this silent killer.
MY STORY (click on links below to read more)
- 2006: I suffered a ruptured 11mm brain aneurysm. 16 coils were inserted into the brain aneurysm. 21 days in the hospital. 6 months off work. Thankfully, recovered very well. But it took time.
- 2008: My husband Dave's niece, Kim Tudor, died from a ruptured brain aneurysm at the age of 32. The KAT-Walk was named after (Kimberly Ann Tudor) and started in her honor in 2009.
- 2011: Coils started to compact. 4 more coils and a stent are inserted to keep blood from getting back into the aneurysm. In hospital overnight. Out of work for a week or two.
- 2011: A second, smaller brain aneurysm was discovered.
- 2012: My sister Dori died from an undetected ruptured brain aneurysm.
- 2014: I had my 2nd brain aneurysm clipped with open brain surgery (craniotomy). 2 days in hospital, 3 months off work. Thankfully, recovered very well.
- 2022: Blood continued to try and get into my original brain aneurysm, I had a 2nd stent (flow diverter) placed inside the first stent from 2011.
- 2026: 3-year followup angiogram revealed everything appears to be stable at the moment! YAY!
Your donations will continue to fund research, education and awareness throughout Maine and New England. THANK YOU!
If you're interested in reading more about my story, please read Heidi's Brain Blog
