|
You Are Not Alone And
Things Do Get Better!
By
Tom Quirk |
 Scituate
- Brain
aneurysm support groups serve many functions and also each
individual, according to their own need. In earlier articles
we have traced support group roots and how they have
developed and grown over the years. When we experience a
serious medical condition, our needs are best served in a
hospital setting, by professional surgical-medical-nursing
practitioners in a timely manner. Once the crisis stage has
passed and as the recovery progresses, we return home and
follow the instructions given to speed our return to our
normal routine.
Brain aneurysm survivors and their caregivers soon learn
that the recovery journey is not always swift and the end
game is often indefinite. Not every survivor’s situation is
the same and the physical, mental and emotional challenges
are often daunting.
Certainly early on, a great deal of information was provided
covering aneurysms, the treatment procedures and likely
outcomes, and it was closely studied. As the days pass and
the survivor and family move through the inpatient phases,
new bumps in the road occur, are handled and next comes the
return home to complete recovery. No more is there a ready
professional resource available with answers for any
question that arises. Since each recovery is unique, the
pamphlets while helpful are not situation specific. Now
what?
The brain aneurysm support group consists of individuals,
both survivors and caregivers, who while not professionals,
have experienced, perhaps only weeks or months ago, what you
are facing today. They can provide enormous comfort and
certain ways to better cope with what seems to be impossible
in your eyes. Support groups should have medical-nursing
oversight to insure that discussions don’t go too far off
the track. Guest speakers also provide periodic instruction
on more common topics of interest.
The most beneficial and practical wisdom comes from those
who have gone before us. They have had the setbacks, the
fears, the worries and frustrations that we may now be
facing and have survived them. It hasn’t just happened to
me! As the stories are told, often their initial situation
was worse but they are back to work, driving and
appreciating their lives and families. “You are not alone
and things do get better” is what support groups are all
about!
|
About The
Author
For more information you may contact
Tom Quirk at (617) 513-3578 or via email at tfquirk@aol.com.
For more information about brain aneurysms, please visit the
Brain Aneurysm Foundation’s web site at www. bafound.org.
The South Shore Brain Aneurysm Support Group meetings are
held the second Wednesday of every month, from 7:00 - 8:30
p.m. at Norwell Visiting Nurse Association, 91 Longwater
Circle, in Norwell.
|
|
