Images of my Brain Before and After Aneursym Surgery

[Lulu_Lollipop]

Inspired by photos on here I was just fascinated by, I thought I'd share a few photos of my brain when my aneurysm was found by chance and then a photo of it post surgery.

I had no symptoms from the aneurysm (22mm x 14mm) so was very lucky it was found while I was having my tinnitus investigated (I still have tinnitus). And I am hugely grateful for the surgery. Goodness knows how my aneurysm got to that size without rupturing. The pictures come from a CD with countless images on. They reassure me that the thing was clipped and they explain to me the bumps and dents and dings on my head and the caved in bit on my left temple/forehead. A big operation that took 9 and a half hours and the surgeon described as "massive and difficult". The surgery obviously left me with issues, cognitive function issues for starters. Three years later I am obviously better than I was, but not the same person I was before. A stroke last August (apparently unrelated to surgery) has set me back a fair bit. I do my best to appear "normal", but it takes a lot of effort and fatigue is a big thing. I blank out, my speech goes. Concentration takes a lot of effort.

I've just been served with 12 weeks notice from the job I've been in for nearly 34 years. This is dismissal on account of my ill-health. I had 2 years off after the brain surgery. Went back for a year and ended up having the stroke while actually there one very busy bank holiday Saturday. Been off since then. Again, trying to get back to the old me.

As advised by work, I was told to apply for ESA, but was rejected. Applied for PIP after the brain surgery and was rejected and more recently applied this year after the stroke. Rejected again. I'm working up the energy to appeal this time.

The 12 weeks notice with full pay (part-time worker) is giving me a bit of comfort while I try to get Medical Retirement from work. I was rejected for that before, but I will give it one more go. Declared as Unfit for Work for the foreseeable, but the pension side say one has to be Unfit for Work Permanently. I have no idea really how I will be in the future, but if I'm incapable of doing the work I've loved and done for over 30 years, what new job can I expect to be capable of?

Anyway. Enough musing and rambling for now. I shall try to attach some photies.

Edited to add: This will only let me attach one photo so this is showing the aneurysm.

[Pairofboots]

Appeal, but request the ESA and the PIP report so you can see how they have marked you. They have to supply this information if requested.

I was classified as unemployable by our Occupational Health, not very nice, but it got me my full pension. And considering it can take me an indefinite time for me to do anything, I can't see myself doing any standard job.

Good luck x

[cat3]

You've had a rough ride Lulu. It beggars belief that you've lost your job by reason of ill health but the DWP are still stalling. Appealing seems to be the only available route to a successful award ; the system supposedly weeds out the bogus claims from the genuine, but causes untold anxiety in the meantime.

Do you have a local CAB or Welfare Rights dept. who you can contact for support. Both have been lifesavers for me in the past..... Cat x

[m4tthall in reply to cat3]

I agree, I find it astonishing you can lose your job due to the terrible health issues you have gone through, without greater compensation. I hope you appeal and manage to obtain a favourable result.

[philbou]

You shouldn’t have been rejected for either esa or pip

If you’ve lost your job get has then a sick note long term which puts you on esa then

Ask for a mandatory reconsideration that will get the processes restarted and appealed

It’s better if you go into the contact centre and see them face to face

Hope your feeling little better

I hate that these things are called benefits. There not it’s from your national insurance payments the key word is insurance

you’ve paid this whilst your working and when your at your most needed it’s denied for you

Don’t give up get angry and fight for it

[Lulu_Lollipop]

Thank you all very much. I phoned PIP people yesterday and asked for a mandatory reconsideration. I guess that as far as ESA goes I have to wait until the 12 weeks notice is over? As far as the long-term sick note goes, my sick note for work is up to 20 October, so do I ask the GP for an open ended one after that? I've never thought that far ahead.

[New_beginning]

Lulu_Lollipop i think you are amazing, from other post i read from you.

[Lulu_Lollipop in reply to New_beginning]

Too kind