Andy Motch's story with brain aneurysms starts with a family history that deeply affected him. When Andy was four years old, his dad suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. After waking up with a headache, his dad was rushed to the hospital but tragically did not survive.
Despite his paternal grandfather also experiencing blackouts for years, medical professionals reassured Andy’s mum, a nurse, that brain aneurysms were not hereditary and that Andy was not at risk.
The incident
Years later, while Andy was studying sports at college and conscious about his health and fitness, he experienced a life-changing event. During a gym session with a friend, Andy was struck by a horrendous headache, which then subsided. When he stood up again, he blacked out and hit the floor. The gym owner hesitated to call emergency services. However, Andy's stepdad arrived and upon finding him unconscious and covered in vomit immediately called for emergency assistance.
Andy was taken to Lancaster Infirmary, where doctors discovered a brain aneurysm and rushed him to specialists at the Royal Preston Hospital. An angiogram confirmed the diagnosis, and Andy faced a 40% chance of survival as he signed consent forms for surgery. Thanks to the expert team at Preston, the aneurysm was successfully clipped during surgery.
Andy’s recovery
Miraculously, Andy woke up in intensive care feeling well, and was back home within five days. Andy was self conscious of his head at this stage, which had been shaved and left him with a scar which ran from his forehead to ear lobe. His temple area was extremely swollen and took months to return to normal.
The specialist who treated Andy told him to avoid contact sports and sent him on his way. This approach did not sit right and Andy has since been back to GPs and medical professionals to try and get reassurance. However, no support, help or guidance has been forthcoming.
Andy’s health and fitness played a huge role in his recovery, along with support from the Occupational Health team at the fire service, where he worked while attending college. Within six months, Andy was back at work, driven by a new appreciation for life and his health.
During his recovery, Andy saw many others in the ward who hadn't recovered as well, which made him grateful for his own ability to recover. This experience made him determined to stay fit and healthy and to live each day to the fullest.”
Life after recovery
For the next 15 years, Andy embraced studying, travelling and working abroad. His adventures included teaching abroad, working on cruise ships, experiencing ski seasons, living in Australia, and even swimming with sharks. These experiences not only enriched his life but also fuelled his professional ambitions. Andy became passionate about having a positive impact on young people which led him into teaching Physical Education. He has since transitioned into managerial roles and is currently working at Loughborough University as a Partnership Manager for the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. He began a family with his wife Kate and after a period of wanderlust is much more content and settled.
Andy’s daughter, Florence, was born seven years ago, bringing both joy and new worries. While Andy's immediate family were all clear of any major issues following their MRI scans, the hereditary risk of aneurysms was still a concern. This prompted Andy to seek further medical advice, but he found the support network within the NHS lacking. Requests for reassurance seemed to be dismissed.
Amidst his search for reassurance, Andy discovered HBA Support through a colleague. In March, he connected with Rebecca from HBA Support and found immense value in the content and community. Knowing there are others going through the same thing provided Andy with much-needed support and understanding.
Andy's story is a powerful reminder of resilience, the importance of health and fitness, and the need for strong support networks for those affected by brain aneurysms. HBA Support made a significant difference in his life, offering the reassurance and community needed to navigate the challenges of living with the risk of aneurysms
Resources and support
If you have any health concerns related to the topics in this article, please speak to your GP or a clinical professional.
Visit our Support page for free resources for people recently diagnosed with an hereditary brain aneurysm:
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