After two years of suffering dizziness and fatigue, Lynnette is finally diagnosed with aneurysms.

 

>> Instead of identifying an inner ear problem as her doctor expected, an MRI reveals three brain aneurysms.

>> As a regular attendee, Lynnette has come to feel that the members of the Brain Aneurysm Support Group are like family.

Like many people with brain aneurysms, Lynnette Oswald's condition was discovered when she was having a test for other medical needs. But now, once a month, she shares her sizeable knowledge at the National Brain Aneurysm Center's support group with newly diagnosed patients, people who have had surgery, and the families of both.

"The people who are coming in want to learn, and might be facing a decision of whether to have or not have surgery, or just want to talk with someone who really understands what they're going through."

Lynnette's aneurysms weren't discovered until, after two years of suffering from hours-long dizzy spells and extreme fatigue, her doctor thought an MRI might identify inner ear problems. Instead, the test revealed three aneurysms. During the three surgeries she had to coil and control them individually, two previously undiscovered aneurysms were discovered and clipped as well.

While six years have passed since her surgeries with no new aneurysms forming, Lynnette still is carefully monitored at the National Brain Aneurysm Center, particularly after a recent fall that caused some bleeding in her brain. During the entire time, she has turned to the support group for companionship and advice - both for herself, and to pass on to others.

"The people in the group feel like family," she said. "They can relate to what you're going through more than anyone at home. It's just a good feeling if you say something in the group that helps somebody - or when they say something that helps you."