Flying as Cabin Crew with an Aneurysm

Hi there - my first post on this forum...as I've just found it. So, firstly hi to everyone.

Secondly I had an SAH and all is fine there, thank goodness. That happened in Dec 05. It has taken my Neurosurgeon, until last week, to tell me that I have a 2nd ani on the other side of my brain - lhs - a 2mm one. He knew about this (for how long, I've yet to find out) .. but he apologised,and took blame, for me not being told sooner:-(

To cut a long story short..my job is cabin crew/flight attendant. I am due to go back (was due to go back) to my role in a few months. At the moment I am doing grounded duties.

He has said I can choose to have this ani operated on, or not. He, firstly said, if I chose not to have op, he wouldn't scan it anymore. I felt this was unacceptable, so he agreed to 5 yearly scans. I am going to ask my Doctor to see, if that can be changed to more regular intervals as well as a full body scan, to ensure I have no other anneurysms (paranoid maybe, but careful for sure). Don't know if her intervention can change this, but I'm sure it can't do any harm. Any advice/ideas re this would be greatly appreciated.

I feel I should have the operation, as having already suffered a brain haemmorhage, I don't want to suffer another..however he states that the percentage, per annum, of rupture chance (I think) are 0.1%. Having the op, he said had similar percentages?!? however slightly higher due the obvious risks taken with any op.

My vasospams were so high during my SAH and I nearly suffered an issechemic (spelling?) stroke after it - which is something the monitor for. Therefore this is a big worry for me. Especially with this 'new' (or newly informed to me) ani is on the lhs of my brain, which I believe is the worse side, to have a brain haemmorhage?!?

If this something that, should I choose not to have operated on..I could still do my job with? I feel it's not fair on my fellow crew and passengers, and family and friends etc, should I take ill on board an aircraft, or even worse still..if I'm abroad - especially if I'm in a country that doesn't have great medical conditions/facilities. I doubt my employer would allow me to fly if they knew about it?!? Then again, perhaps they would, if the % chance of rupture is so small.. therefore any advice on this is needed please.

Flying occasionally is one thing and I've flown, since I had my SAH and been fine.. although I didn't know I had a 2nd ani! However, I fly longhaul..so every week I am going East, West and sideaways! My body clock is totally messed up, whilst I fly and my eating habits are too. There is no routine and it is an exhausting job, which can be very stressful at times. It will no doubt be, even harder and more exhausting for me, going back to it..as I haven't worked as crew for a while, due to my illness. All of this is not good for the brain or the body! I don't want to go back to flying, although I love my job, if I am increases my chances of being seriously ill, or worse even, a fatality. Are the blood vessels affected, whilst flying, due to the cabin pressure??

I am going to see my Doctor tomorrow and will be asking her more questions and I will speak to the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority, if need be). I will also be putting in a letter of investigation/complaint to the relevant department - well the CEO of the health board and also to the GMC. I wouldn't want a Doctor struck off - however he has made a big error here, imho and I wouldn't want it happening to anyone else. It has already messed up my life..which is just nearly fully back on track:-( They can only operated on one ani at a time..but surely a few months after Dec05, bearing in mind, I was of total fit state of mind to be told, they could have operated on it?!?!

As I say, I'm new to the site..and I look forward to getting to know some of you and hopefully helping others..but meanwhile, if anyone is able to help me and give me advice, that would be most appreciated.

I wish you all safe, happy and healthy lives and futures...whether you be here, because of your own personal circumstances, or here because you care for someone else.

Thankyou for any help you can give. L x

[christilynn]

I have to say that you didn't get a very good surgeon. My son had a cerebral hemmorage Aug 24 2007. Just before his 21st birthday. First they said one then another test revealed two then another three and finally angiogram showed four. The first hospital was treating him for heat stroke and i took him to another hospital. There was no waiting and they did the tests. I was devastated to know he had one much less four. He was transferred to another hospital by Sept. 1st and he got one of the best surgeons. They tried the coiling procedure and were unsuccessful and they kept him under until the next morning where he underwent open cranial surgery. After the surgery his doctor revealed he actually had five. One was twins or had a sister. Four were clipped and because of the location of the fifth one he had to wait for another surgery. It has taken alot of fighting with SSDI but he is finally approved for the help he needs. He is terrified as you are and who could blame you. He may never work again due to the fact he has AVM (artery vessel malformation) which means he has thin blood vessels and once a year he will have to have angiograms for the rest of his life.
    I am thankful everyday for him and I live with the fear as much as he does. I pray that his last surgery will go well and he will never have another one. He has definately learned to appreciate life and wants nothing but the best for everyone. He is always smiling and only wants to make people happy. Positive energy is the best. I never gave up on him even though he lay in ICU for six days. He wants to start an Anneurysm Awareness program to help other people. I believe as he does that he is a walking miracle for a reason. I will help him achieve his goals as we will always be worried about his tests every year.
   I wish the best for you and you are here for a reason. I know your life stopped for a while but you have an advantage that most people never get. Through your eyes life is a wonderful and beautiful gift we are given. Please enjoy it to its fullest extent and put a smile on your face every day because you are still here. God bless you and your family!!!
As far as your job you probably shouldn't fly. My son was told not to! Also if you think about it "who will hire you knowing your medical history" Not like you could drive a school bus. You should apply for SSDI. It takes a long time but if you don't get results I will tell you how I got my son approved after a year of fighting appeals.