In July 2023, my partner Michael and I made the decision to move in with my brother-in-law for a while. It was meant to be a fresh start, but soon after settling in, Michael began experiencing severe headaches. He had always suffered from migraines, so he was used to managing pain, but this time it felt different. His family had a tragic history with such conditions—his grandfather had passed away from a brain aneurysm, and his younger brother had suffered both a brain aneurysm and a stroke in his twenties.
When we sought medical help, the hospital believed Michael was too young for such a serious condition. Despite our concerns, they refused to perform a scan. However, after a persistent push from Michael’s brother, who alerted the doctors to his own experiences, the hospital finally conducted a scan, which initially came back clear.
Just two days later, Michael collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital, where they discovered he had suffered a brain bleed. Blood was building up in his skull, dangerously pressing against his brain. He was transferred to Nottingham for specialised care, where he finally received the urgent treatment he needed. The medical team performed surgery, using a web device to stop the bleed. Initially, the surgery seemed successful, and his recovery progressed better than expected.
About a week later, Michael had to return to the hospital due to another suspected bleed but this turned out not to be the case and was just an error reading the scans. Thankfully, Michael had an excellent surgeon who explained everything over a phone call. The surgeon also explained the impact that lifestyle factors such as smoking and drinking could have on his condition, helping Michael understand how to manage his health moving forward.
Follow-Up
During a six-month follow-up, Michael went to Loughborough for another scan and met with his surgeon again. It was a tough moment for him, as he struggled to process the reality of his situation and the risks to our family. The surgeon was fantastic, walking Michael through all his scans and giving him much-needed reassurance and support. The surgeon also wrote a note to ensure that our entire family would be eligible for preventive scans, as many GPs are unaware of the risks associated with brain aneurysms.
This lack of awareness within the medical community made both Michael and me realise how many people might be unknowingly at risk. Returning to work was challenging for Michael—he felt anxious and nervous, especially about his coordination and when headaches struck. Despite his struggles, he chose not to seek counselling but found support from our family which is a close knit and supportive group.
"Michael’s journey through his brain aneurysm has taught us that while physical recovery can be swift, emotional healing is a long, ongoing process. It's crucial to raise awareness of the hereditary nature of brain aneurysms to prevent others from facing the same uncertainty we did." — Kealey
Raising Awareness
To raise awareness about brain aneurysms and honour Michael’s journey, I decided to climb Snowdon. It was a personal challenge and a way to spread awareness and raise much needed funds, hoping to encourage others to recognise the signs and seek timely help. It was through this effort that I found HBA Support, which has been incredibly useful to both of us.
The road to recovery hasn’t been linear—there have been setbacks, fears, and moments of uncertainty. Yet through it all, Michael’s resilience and determination have been inspiring.
His quick recovery from surgery was a blessing, but the emotional recovery is an ongoing journey, one that we continue to navigate together. We hope that by sharing his story, we can raise awareness about brain aneurysms and the importance of recognising the early warning signs, and understanding hereditary risks, so that others don’t have to endure the same fear and uncertainty that we did.
Many thanks to Kealey and Michael for sharing Michael's Journey with us.
Resources and support
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