Shelley Godfrey

Update September 2005

When I wrote my story for this website four and a half years ago it was a hard story to write. I could not see how my life would return to the life I was living before I had my brain haemorrhage.

Now here I am four and a half years on and I feel great, my life has returned and is as good as it was.

I mentioned in my original story how amazing my family, partner and friends have been. Their love and support has never stopped, I couldn't have got better without them around me...I know sometimes they must be frustrated when I have my dark moments...but they are always there to listen and encourage me.

Since my original brain operation in 2001, I had another operation in 2003 and a number of angiograms since then. At one stage I was told that I had two very small bifurcations (forks) but these are of no consequence and do not require any treatment. In May of this year I was signed off by my Consultant which was a big step forward.

I am now working in the City of London, as I did before I was ill. My life has returned and I feel like the old Shelley has returned.

I wanted to update my story to show those newcomers to Different Strokes that over time you can find the 'lost you', you will get stronger and your old life will return.

Original story:

I was at work, it was a normal Monday, I was getting ready to go shopping at lunchtime when the events that followed changed my life. I was in the bathroom when I suddenly developed a horrendous headache. My neck became very stiff and my hearing muffled. I didn't know what was wrong but I knew that I had to find someone to help me. The first aider took me into an office where I sat on the floor, drank water and waited for the symptoms to subside. I stayed there for about an hour feeling very unwell and then my boyfriend came to take me home.

I spent the rest of the day and the following morning in bed. A doctor came out to see me. She looked in my eyes and ears, and took my blood pressure, but didn't seem to know what the problem was. The doctor told me to look out for the rash associated with meningitis and to take paracetamol every four hours.

The symptoms continued for a week, during which time I rested and continued to take painkillers. I visited the doctor again, but, as on the previous occasion, was not given any answers. I went back to work for the next three weeks, but was coming home early and continuing to see the doctor. I even moved flat. My headaches continued. I was told by the doctor that the problem could be viral meningitis or a brain infection.

On Good Friday, my mum and sister came to visit for the day and we decided to go to a local pub for lunch. Within 30 minutes of arriving I was taken away in an ambulance. I had lost all use in the left side of my body, the bad headache returned, as did the muffling in my ears and stiff neck. As I was ushered out of the pub by the paramedics, I remember thinking I hope people don't think I'm drunk. I was very frightened in the ambulance, but the paramedics were fantastic at making me feel calm. I was taken to the local hospital where they carried out various tests. After spending eight hours in casualty I was sent home.

The next morning I woke up to find my mum and sister had stayed the night. I was very disorientated. I had trouble walking and found it difficult to speak. I was taken back to casualty where my mum demanded a brain scan. This was carried out and the next thing I remember is being taken to Atkinson Morley's hospital where I was given an angiogram. I was scared and kept seeking reassurance from the nurses.

The next thing I recall is a nurse or consultant coming to give the results of the angiogram. My mum, sister and boyfriend were with me. I was told that I had had a subarachnoid haemorrhage and that I needed surgery to stop the bleeding. Being told this was the most awful shock.

I had been told that my dad was travelling from the States to be with me. The nurse informed me that surgery would be carried out in the next couple of days and I that had to sign a consent form. I asked the nurse if I could wait until my dad arrived, thinking that once he was with me he would make everything OK. The nurse told me that there wasn't time and that I had to sign the form before he arrived. So I signed it.

After surgery I spent five days in intensive care. I don't remember at what stage I started to come round. I had slight paralysis down the left side of my body. I had to learn to walk again unaided. I liked showing off my progress to my family and friends and felt so proud the day I could walk completely on my own.

During my stay at hospital, my dad spoilt me each day with meals he'd prepared at home. I was the envy of the ward. Even the nurses were impressed.

The encouragement of my family and friends was amazing. Every day during my rehabilitation, I had a stream of visitors. It must have been so hard for my family to see me go through this. I cannot imagine how they must have felt. The nurses also were absolutely fantastic in their support.

I was discharged after two weeks and felt very intimidated at the prospect of going home. I felt secure in hospital. The day I left the hospital, it was amazing to feel the fresh air and smell the outside.

It is now a year since the operation and I have been back at work for four months. I am slowly getting back into the swing of things but I miss the old me. I still find it difficult to believe that this has happened. Even writing it down, it doesn't feel as though it is my story.

Thanks to Shelley for sending in her profile. Anyone else who would like to share their story can send it along with a photograph (if you're not shy!)

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