This essay is a recounting of a conversation with Meredith Staggers. This document has been altered for both length and clarity.
During my pregnancy with Dottie, my third daughter, I developed migraines. They were excruciating, and the agony appeared to be concentrated behind my left eye. However, they were not crippling. I could still care for my two and five-year-old daughters. Also experiencing headaches during the midst of my pregnancy, I assumed this was my body’s hormonal response.
At approximately 28 weeks, the migraines abruptly ceased. Unfortunately, I was ordered to bed rest due to excessive amniotic fluid. Once it was deemed safe to deliver Dottie, I was induced. She weighed less than 6 pounds, far less than my other daughters. However, she was found to be healthy, and I heaved a sigh of relief knowing that both mother and child were in good shape.
When Dottie was only three weeks old, my husband contracted COVID. I was concerned that Dottie had the illness, so I took her to the emergency room. She tested negative, but RSV and pneumonia were present. We were sent to the intensive care unit. Her lung collapsed, and she was intubated. Since we had been exposed to COVID, we spent 12 days in isolation in the hospital. There were several occasions when we feared Dottie would not survive.
I believed stress was taking its toll on me.
A few weeks later, I had what can only be characterized as a mental collapse while driving. With my first child, I had battled postpartum depression and anxiety; now, I could feel it creeping up, exacerbated by the stress of Dottie’s hospitalization. I suffered from panic attacks and continuously heard phantom sounds from hospital machines informing me that my child was still alive. In addition, my migraines returned.
That day, while driving, I felt my lip was tingling. I soon lost sensation in my hands and feet. I recognized that something was gravely amiss, so I pulled over. I hung up with my mother and attempted to contact my spouse, but my hands refused to cooperate. He later informed me that I sounded like I was speaking gibberish when I spoke.
My spouse located me and rushed me to the hospital. I could not follow even the basic instructions. Hospital staff performed a CT scan, chest X-ray, and blood work. They believed I was having a stroke, but the results were normal. I attempted to persuade myself that it was merely a panic attack.
My problems worsened continuously.
However, my symptoms persisted. I suspected I was taking the incorrect dosage of my anxiety medicine. I had to wait weeks for an appointment with a psychologist, so I visited my OB-GYN, who prescribed the prescription.
When I arrived at my appointment, the symptoms returned. I could not feel my hands, and I could not see further than a foot ahead. Dottie was crying, but I could do nothing to comfort her.
The office staff informed me that I was experiencing a panic attack. They stated that I had been through a lot, but now I was just getting myself worked up. My husband accompanied me to the appointment, but he refused to accept that I was suffering from postpartum anxiety.
The following days were horrible. I threw up and was unable to sleep. Each headache was the worst pain I had ever experienced, until the next one arrived, which was somehow worse.
My spouse scheduled a telemedicine consultation, and the physician ordered an MRI. My phone rang as we were going home from that appointment.
“We don’t want you to panic, but we need you to pack a bag and travel to the hospital immediately. You’ve got an aneurysm.”
I had surgery the following day.
I was unable to comprehend what they were saying. For weeks everyone had been telling me I was fine. Here was proof that I was obviously not okay.
Testing at the hospital revealed a big aneurysm behind my left eye, exactly where the discomfort had been centered. According to my physician, Joseph Cochran, it has been leaking, which likely explains my symptoms. The following day, I underwent surgery to remove it. Since my initial recuperation, I’ve been free of migraine symptoms.
I learnt after my operation that my granddad had two aneurysms. The most significant risk factors are smoking, hypertension, and genetics; Dr. Cochran believes my genes are to blame.
The postpartum time is so daunting for a new mother. I was prepared to disregard my symptoms, as did several of my physicians. Fortunately, my spouse defended me. I hope that my experience may encourage others to seek medical attention when they suspect anything is amiss. I’ve learnt that precaution is preferable to regret.
