A story of how surviving traumatic brain injury turned my life on its head.
You never leave home not expecting to return, that's exactly what happened to me. Everything I thought I knew became insignificant after realising I had to fight to stay alive.
Ended
You never leave home in the morning thinking you won't return.
That's exactly what happened on November 5th 2010. Leola suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm at work and collapsed unconscious with no pulse. She didn't return home for 2 months.
There were many times when family thought she wouldn't make it through at all. There was one stage where the Dr stated "Leola is bleeding from the brain. If we don't stop it she will die". Imagine hearing that about someone you love.
Since surviving a near fatal brain trauma Leola has learnt so much.
"I've learnt that everyday is a gift, not a given right and that we must use our time to live our best lives - whatever that means to you.
"I've written this book to share my story and challenges, but ultimately my learnings. Life changes when you face death. By reading my story I hope to encourage a different perspective on life and bring awareness to how truly precious every moment is. "
This book is for anyone with a hunger to change their situation, or feel they are "stuck in a rut". Reading through Leola's experience you will be able to see that anything is possible and you are only as strong as you want to be.
"After realising how fragile your life, health and body is - I am dedicating myself to making a difference in the lives of others. I don't want you to have to go through what I went through, to understand that each and every day we have is truly a gift."
It’s funny how life throws you a curve ball. It’s all about how you react to it – how will this moment define you? Your self-worth is the only worth you should be measured on. Believe that you have the power to change your fate - whatever it may be. Everything happens for a reason. After suffering a ruptured aneurysm and ultimately surviving it - Leola is in the best place (mentally and physically) she has ever been.
"So I thank my lucky stars I was able to go through such hardship to only come out on top.
Together we will live our best lives."
Trauma survivors incl PTSD (www.sidran.org)
Career driven women who suffer mental illness (https://www.theguardian.com)
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I have the following active online channels updated at least every second day with blog posts, relevant third-party articles to my audience, videos and self-help style written content.
Specifically to promote my book I will have a strategic plan calendarised across all online channels. I also have:
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Specific marketing activities to include:
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If tomorrow wasn't promised, how would you live today? After realising how fragile your life, health and body is - I'm dedicated to making a difference in others' lives.
250 copies • Partial manuscript.
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Well here it goes. I’ve been procrastinating about writing my story for ages now. Guess I was too lazy, too busy with life and didn’t know where to start. After talking it over with those close to me, here I am.
I’ve recently read a few books about people that have been in a similar situation to mine, have overcome it, and gone onto do something great. It’s funny how life throws you a curve ball. It’s all about how you react to it – how will this moment define you?
I hope that once you’ve finished reading this book, you will be as inspired as I was when I read others’ stories. Remember you can achieve anything you want to. Even after a close call with death, I’ve never been so close to happiness.
On November 5th, 2010 I suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm.
I was at work, it would have been around 10:30am. I went downstairs for my mid-morning smoko, as I usually did. Everything was normal, it was a Friday, I was in a good mood, sun was shining. It was a perfect day! After I finished my cigarette I went to the bathroom. Sitting in the cubicle, minding my own business a sharp pain in my head struck me. I cannot describe to you the intense pain I felt. I remember my ears
were blocked, I had what seemed like tunnel vision, and then everything went black.
I woke up on the floor of the cubicle. Looking back on that situation, that’s quite disgusting! On the floor of a toilet cubicle with my pants down, surrounded by people I barely knew! Thankfully someone thought to cover me with a blanket. The cubicle doors at my old work didn’t come down to the floor – and thank God for that.
Someone saw me lying on the floor and jumped over the top to see if I was ok. It seems I wasn’t. I was still unconscious at this stage, and from what I’m told, I was out cold for at least 15 minutes. That is quite a long time to be unconscious. I was making noises with my mouth. Like a gurgling, choking sound. They called the first aid officer for my area, who was also a trained nurse. I’ve seen the lady since, and she said that when she found me she couldn’t find a pulse. I cried when she told me that, did that mean I had died? I guess I’ll never know, but I sure came close.
Here’s some statistical data to put things into perspective:
*Aneurysms are present in probably 2% or more of adults, and multiple aneurysms occur in more than 10% of these. The outlook after rupture of a cerebral aneurysm depends on the size and location of the aneurysm, the person's age, general health, and neurological condition after haemorrhage.
^Ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in about 40% of cases. Of those who survive, about 66% suffer some permanent neurological deficit.
^Approximately 15% of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) die before reaching the hospital. Most of the deaths from subarachnoid haemorrhage are due to rapid and massive brain injury from the initial bleeding which is not correctable by medical and surgical interventions.
^4 out of 7 people who recover from a ruptured brain aneurysm will have disabilities.
*http://brainfoundation.org.au/...
^http://www.bafound.org/Statist...
When I came to, I was so confused. I was lying side down on the floor of the cubicle, the door was still closed. I had 2 ladies hovering over the top of me, wiping my forehead with cold paper towels, and stripping me of my jacket and scarf. I was
sweating profusely, and seemed to be burning up. “Are you ok Leola?”, “An ambulance is on the way”. I could hear what they were saying, but couldn’t open my mouth to respond. On top of all of this, the pain in my head was excruciating. It felt like the worst migraine I have ever had, pounding constantly at the back of my head. I felt sick, really sick. I wanted to vomit, sleep, and close my eyes all at the same time.
The nurse was trying to keep me awake, I remember the panic in her eyes – but I just couldn’t respond to her. There’s something very scary about not being able to speak. I wanted so badly to respond and say “Yes, I’m fine, no need for an ambulance. Just give me a minute” but I just couldn’t get the words out of my mouth.
The ambulance arrived, two men in their 20’s. Here we go, I felt so embarrassed, yet helpless at the same time. One of the officers came into the cubicle and told me to get up. Looking back on that, I’m guessing he said that to assess how bad I was. But at the time I remember thinking in my head “Are you serious?” - I couldn’t get up. The officer grabbed me from under my arms and helped me up and propped me back onto the toilet. Meanwhile, still with my pants around my legs, I managed to wipe myself! It was so embarrassing, but necessary nonetheless. He kept telling me to “Get up”, I tried, I couldn’t. I started to cry through the drowsiness, then I started vomiting. I
couldn’t understand why, I thought it was just my head that hurt, but out of no where I needed to vomit. After I had stopped being sick, the officer picked me up, swung my arm over his shoulder and walked me out of the cubicle, through the small bathroom and hoisted me onto the stretcher waiting in the hallway.
I felt somewhat relieved lying on the stretcher bed. The intense pounding in my head hadn’t gotten any better, I was managing a few words, but was still very drowsy, groggy and confused. The officers wheeled the bed out into the open area to catch the
lift down to the ground floor. I could see my co-workers staring at me, I couldn’t bear to look at them. We got into the lift, went down to the ground floor and I was wheeled out of the building. The cold air struck me. I didn’t have my jacket or scarf on, and
my clothes were wet with my sweat. I remember a colleague looking at me as they wheeled me out and I thought “I’m going to get so much crap about this on Monday”. I hope you’re reading this Michael Littlejohn – I’ll never forget that.
Once in the ambulance, I was strapped into the bed. Kind of like a prisoner I guess! I was injected with a few things, no idea what. I was told later that it was an anti-nausea drug to stop the vomiting. Not long after, we arrived at the emergency ward of the hospital. I was wheeled in, and left waiting in the waiting area for a doctor to check me out. I was next to an older man, who was moaning in pain. I’m not too sure what from, but the noise was very discomforting. My work colleague came with me to the hospital. Clare Singleton – thank you. She called my partner Merv, and explained I had collapsed at work and had been taken to the hospital. Merv was shocked, but not too surprised. I’ve been severely anaemic for years and regularly suffered dizzy spells and blackouts. He thought it had been related to that. I wish it had been.
Luckily Merv worked nearby, and was at my bedside within 20 minutes. I was still waiting in the emergency ward. I was able to speak at this stage and was telling Merv that I didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. All I needed was a couple pain killers and a good sleep. To be honest I wasn’t completely worried either. I just felt really sick, and just thought I needed to rest. I feel as though the next hour or so is a bit blurry to me. I recall the doctor ordering a urine test, which shouldn’t be too
difficult normally, but it seemed I just couldn’t do it. The doctors waited until I could, and after a while I finally did. Not too sure of the exact details after this stage, but I'm told that a doctor demanded that I have a brain scan. Prior to this, nothing out of the ordinary had been found. I would’ve been given a few pain killers and be sent home to sleep it off. Fortunately for me, this doctor ordered my scan.
She saved my life.
The author hasn't added any updates, yet.
Hiya Leola! I've posted you to my business network page. We got 577 businesses listed!
So Proud of You Leola. May God be with you always ox
Thank you Leola 😘😘😘
$20
17 readers
Preorder 1 book to receive:
* First run copy of "I'm not done yet"
Includes:
$60
3 readers
Preorder 3 books to receive:
* x3 First run copy of "I'm not done yet"
* All books signed by Leola Rose
* Complimentary e-guide titled "5 ways to let go"
Includes:
$200
3 readers
Preorder 10 books to receive:
* x10 First run copy of "I'm not done yet"
* Complimentary e-guide titled "5 ways to let go"
* 1 hour session video mentoring with Leola Rose to uncover what is holding you back from living your best life.
Includes:
$1000
0 readers
Preorder 50 books to receive:
* x50 First run copy of "I'm not done yet"
* Complimentary e-guide titled "5 ways to let go"
* Complimentary keynote talk for an upcoming event of your choice - Leola Rose will deliver the well received seminar titled "Let it go" to encourage and give attendees techniques to remove toxicity and negativity from everyday life.
Includes:
$3000
0 readers
Preorder 150 books to receive:
* x150 First run copy of "I'm not done yet"
* Complimentary e-guide titled "5 ways to let go"
* In-house book signing event for your members and guests at your chosen location.
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on Sept. 16, 2017, 1:23 p.m.
Congratulations hun!! May you sell millions of copies! xoxo