Several years ago, we were delighted to find this poem online and want to share it again. We thank Shannon Jones-Fry for her eloquent words that describe the emotions some survivors feel while going through the healing process from a Brain Aneurysm rupture. Many of these feelings are talked about at our Maine Brain Aneurysm Support Group meetings.
ANEURYSM: A poem by Shannon Jones-Fry
How can I explain to those
who can never understand
The person that I was is gone
This is who I am.
The core inside of me remains
Loving, good and kind
But the easygoing rest of me
Has been left behind.
They say patience is a virtue
I use to have this trait
It shines through on occasion
But the new Me hates to wait.
Anger was slow to rise
In the person I use to be
Anger boils and rages
Inside of this new Me.
Previously quick to answer
Any questions one put forth
So slow with answers now
I fear I’m losing my self worth.
The memory of an elephant
Use to be inside my mind
This new me forgets everything
And is always running behind.
My mind was always clear
Solving problems without a fault
This other self took over
And my brain seems an empty vault.
No one can see the confusion
Behind the same face that they adore
But until there’s wreckage in their brain
They only understand the Me before.
This poem puts every emotion a survivor feels through the healing journey from a brain aneurysm into such eloquent words. Shannon asks that if you share this poem in any forum that you respectfully maintain the title and credit the author.
Learn more about our monthly brain aneurysm support group and please join us.