This year, I set a goal for myself to meet and talk with other Brain Aneurysm survivors. As someone who had gone through the experience myself, I wanted to connect with others who understood the struggles and challenges of living with this condition. And let me tell you, it was an incredible experience.
Meeting and talking with other survivors was
like finding a community, a support system, that I never knew I needed. We shared our stories, our fears and our triumphs. It was amazing to be able to talk with others on a common ground, to feel understood and to offer support to others who were going through the same thing.
Last weekend, I was out enjoying some live music, when I ran into two people I've known for almost five years, outside of my brain aneurysm group. One of them mentioned that her friend had recently found out she had a brain aneurysm. I was surprised but I felt good knowing that I could offer some information that might help her friend navigate this difficult time.
But then the other woman mentioned that her mother had passed away from a brain aneurysm. I was shocked. It hit me hard and made me feel incredibly sad. This woman and I had never really gotten along, or at least I always felt like she didn't like me. But she had never mentioned this before. I don't know why, but this revelation pushed me in the wrong direction.
I found myself feeling negative and worthless. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had somehow failed as a survivor. I wasn't doing enough to raise awareness or support others. It was a dark place and I couldn't seem to find my way out.
But then I remembered something that a survivor had told me. She said that it's okay to have bad days. Some days we feel overwhelmed or defeated. We have to remember that we are warriors and we have fought and continue to fight against this condition every single day.
The way I reacted has been difficult for me. She was open to me about her mother's sudden death from a brain aneurysm. I have always wanted to offer comfort and support but this time I failed. I couldn't find the right words to say. It breaks my heart to have seen her admit her grief and I wish I could have found a way to help her pain. I wish I had said anything at all.
So, I have to take a deep breath and reminded myself that I am strong and resilient but that doesn’t mean I’m always that way. I wish more than anything I had reached out to her and said the right things.
On a deeper level, I realized that our past differences wouldn’t change. We weren’t united by our experiences.  My desire to raise awareness and support others doesn’t mean I will always be able to connect. I’ll always try to do my best. And that is all that truly matters.
I left that encounter feeling weak but now uplifted and grateful for the strong and supportive community of Brain Aneurysm survivors that I have found. All I can do is refer others. Our journey may be tough, but we are not alone, and together we are stronger.
What fuels me is the opportunity to share my journey and connect with others through my blog, Brain Aneurysms Hurt. Writing about my experiences as a survivor and providing support to others going through similar challenges is my passion. It gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment to know that my words can make a positive impact on someone's life. With each passing day, my blog gains more readers and I am motivated to continue creating authentic and relatable content. My ultimate goal is to build a strong support system for those affected by brain aneurysms, and I am determined to make a difference in their lives. I invite you to explore my site and join me on this journey of inspiration and empowerment. Let's discover together what fuels our souls and ignites our passions.