A MESSAGE FROM Dominick
"I have good news and bad news," my doctor said. I had just suffered what I would learn much later to be a stroke caused by a common congenital condition called patent foramen ovale. But what I was about to hear would be far more consequential.
"The good news is that we found a bi-lobed, medium-to-large sized aneurysm on your left internal carotid artery, an incidental finding on your recent brain imaging."
"Good news? How is that good news?"
I didn't realize it at the time, but I had just received the best news of my life to date. This was fall 2019 - I was 34.
After more conversations with my healthcare team, I found out that a minimally-invasive procedure could help me to avoid the fate that likely took my grandfather long before I was born--death at 51 following a massive stroke we believe was caused by an cerebral aneurysm rupture, "the worst headache of his life."
I was lucky indeed. Each year, over 30,000 people in the US suffer a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to cerebral aneurysm rupture. Half of these people die, and two in three survivors will suffer a permanent brain injury. The road for survivors and their families is often long and involves months of physical and occupational therapy and creating new means for daily living.
Most people will never know they had an aneurysm before it ruptures. However, if someone in your immediate family with whom you are biologically-related has one, consider getting screened. The test is easy - please consider talking to your doctor about it.
I am running the NYC TCS Marathon for the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) to raise awareness about brain injuries that result of aneurysms and strokes. I am proud to count myself a survivor and pledge to do all I can to pay my experience forward.
BIANYS is a statewide non-profit membership organization that advocates on behalf of people and families with brain injuries. BIANYS provides education, advocacy, and community support services that lead to improved outcomes.
Since 1982, BIANYS has does this through a help line, chapters and support groups across New York State, prevention programs, professional development programs, and a video and publications library. BIANYS also plays a central role in the development of public policy that benefits our community.
Each donation goes directly to programs and services that benefit brain injury survivors and the brain injury community in New York State. Your generosity is sincerely appreciated.
Every little bit counts, so please, donate today!
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