Pierina & Daniela: Turning a frightening brain injury into hope

Pierina had no idea she had two aneurysms until one of them ruptured leading to a serious brain bleed. Her daughter Daniela is now taking on the 12km City-Bay to raise funds for neurosurgical research and help give other families hope.

This Aneurysm Awareness Month, Daniela is taking on the 12km City-Bay to support vital neurosurgical research.

Support Daniela’s fundraiser here

Three months ago, my Mum suffered an excruciating headache and was rushed to hospital, where we were told that she had suffered a serious brain bleed caused by a ruptured aneurysm.

She spent several days in ICU, but thankfully, she initially made an incredible recovery.

A few weeks later, she underwent a stent procedure to treat her brain aneurysms. Unfortunately, she suffered a severe reaction to the contrast dye, resulting in a microstroke, vasospasms and multiple seizures. It was an incredibly frightening time for our family. The neuro team at the Royal Adelaide Hospital were amazing, and through their expertise and care, Mum continued to recover.

One thing that really stayed with me was how difficult it was for the doctors to predict how Mum would recover. They couldn’t tell us exactly what she would be like when she woke up because every brain injury is different, and every person responds differently. Her case was also particularly challenging because she developed vasospasms outside the usual 21-day period.

Thankfully, Mum was fortunate enough to receive two stent procedures to treat her aneurysms. We also met and heard about other patients whose aneurysms were in locations that were much more difficult to treat. It really highlighted to me just how important continued research into brain injuries, aneurysms and neurological conditions is.

After two months in hospital, Mum is finally home and doing incredibly well. We are so grateful for the care she received and for the neuro team who helped her through one of the most frightening experiences our family has ever faced.

Throughout those two months, my family and I spent countless nights terrified, barely sleeping or eating, not knowing what the future would look like. During this time, friends and family also shared their own stories of loved ones who had suffered brain injuries, brain tumours and other neurological conditions. It made me realise just how many families are affected by these devastating conditions.

I’m not a runner by any means, so running 12 km is definitely outside my comfort zone. But after watching my mum endure two months of pain, uncertainty and recovery, I know that a little discomfort from running 12 km is something I can handle.

That is why I’m so passionate about raising money for the NeuroSurgical Research Foundation. I hope that the money raised can contribute, even in a small way, to research that helps doctors better understand these conditions, improve treatment options and ultimately give more families hope during what can be the most terrifying time of their lives.

Support Daniela’s fundraiser here