I have a brain aneurysm.
Over the past 7 months or so I have had many appointments and worrying times. It was always on my mind. Recently I needed to choose the kind of surgery that was to occur, Vascular, which has a small cable like wire inserted through my groin and fed up through my body into my brain and to the problem spot. Once there they place small "coils" into the aneurysm to take up the space inside. The blood clots & stops the blood flow from entering.
I had this surgery on Thursday 11 June. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful. Because the aneurysm is in a very difficult position the surgeon got to the right spot but was unable to complete the job and after many hours of trying needed to abort because it got too dangerous for me.
On Monday 22 June I will now undergo the other way of surgery being 0pen surgery, where a small piece of skull bone will be cut out to allow access. This surgery is similar to the "coil" type from Vascular but with open surgery the aneurysm is "clipped" which will also clot the blood inside to eliminate the blood flow to it. With this surgery there is a much longer recovery time being up to 6 months or whatever it takes. The hardest part is the first six or seven weeks, and the biggest risk, believe it or not, is infection. By law I cannot drive for 6 months.
I would hope to be back on the greens by September (that's my aim anyway) because I have unfinished business to attend to.
Many of our Members' have had sickness and various surgeries that perhaps have been life threatening or have altered their lives. Perhaps for me what I have been through and will go through again soon has made me realise that we are so lucky to have loved ones care for us when we are down and my message is simply "Love and hug those loved ones"
If it ever stops raining, get out and enjoy our great Club.
Hope to see you soon.
Pete Welsh.