08/11/2025
What a heartbreaking few weeks.
I dont feel i have written much lately, everything has been going well, but life can change in an instance.
Imogen had her regular scan in October. Normally we get the results a couple of weeks later, but not this day. I was told that something had been seen on the scan and i needed to go up to Oncology clinic to meet with the nuro surgeons and our oncology consultant. Once imogen was awake from her general anaesthetic we headed upstairs to clinic.
That wait was awful, you always prepare yourself that the tumour could restart, but never did i consider the monster we were about to face.
Imogens scan showed that she had a large unstable cerebral aneurysm . We were told this had a big chance of rupture and with that the risk of stroke and death. We were told this was extremely rare in children.
She became an emergency priority, the proceedure they wanted to try was not something they could do at RMCH and would need to be done at Salford Royal with a manchester childrens team.
Imogen was booked in the following week, for this emergency surgery.
That week was horrific, watching her every move, worrying about every symptom, she managed one day at school and was sent home poorly.
As the week went on she got gradually worse, but all the professionals felt it could be viral and that she could still go on the thursday for the surgery.
The day itself was horrific, an early start to manchester childrens to be booked in then transferred to salford, where we had to wait for her to go to theatre. We were told this was high risk, due to unstable nature of the aneurysm
But an angiogramme would be preformed and then hopefully they would try to treat the aneurysm with coils.
A two hour wait, felt like a lifetime, the feelings and thoughts of never seeing her again, just kept going through our minds .
The relief of hearing the anaesthetist voice, saying ahe is ok, but the heartbreak of being told that they were unable to proceed as the aneurysm was to big to be treated that way and the risk was to high.
an MDT meeting had been arranged for the following week to discuss with all the professionals. Then we would go back to Salford Royal for another surgery.
That night we went home with a very sleepy Imogen, the next morning she was practically unresponsive, We were rushed to A&E where they discovered her shunt was blocked. She was in theatre that afternoon for a very tricky shunt revision, all the surgeons being very careful not to cause any issues to the aneurysm.
She recovered amazingly, but still the uncertainty of what was ahead, another wait, continued worry of what if the aneurysm ruptured. 
It was decided that to treat Imogens aneurysm and give her the best chance was to sacrifice the artery it was attached to. This procedure had so many risks, a large risk of stroke but her options were running out due to the size and shape of the aneurysm.
The hope was her brain was already using other channels, but nothing was guaranteed. We were told they wouldnt know if she has had a stroke until after they wake her up, and the few days after were crucial.
This is very rarely done in adults and so rare in children.
When you kiss your child in that anaesthetic room the feeling is overwhelming, we had signed a consent form that could cause our child to have a stroke or even die, there are no words to describe it.
we were out of choices and had to trust in the surgeon’s.
A four hour very complicated procedure, the aneurysm had changed in shape and size and was likely to rupture at any time. We got the phone call to say everything was ok. The operation had gone as well as hoped. It was now up to Imogens brain to re channel the blood and oxegen.
A trip in an ambulance back to the childrens hospital ( which Imogen loved ) a couple of days in the high dependancy unit, now back on to the ward. Imogens brain is doing what was hoped. There is still risk over the next few weeks , and the recovery is going to take time, but my beautiful girl has fought and is so far winning.
We dont know what caused this, we dont know if she will face more aneurysms in the future. She will require more detailed scans and her brain tumour is still there, but i am eternally grateful she has made it through.
Today is a win, a day to cuddle her a little bit tighter and a day to be so grateful to our nhs and amazing surgeons, without their skill Imogen wouldnt be here.
Imogen has taught me never be complacent, make memories, hold close your loved ones and remember life can change in an instant.
This is just another part of her journey, another chance to remind us how precious she is. I have been gifted with a very special young lady, who makes this world a better place.
The next few days will be spent in hospital, but then hopefully home ❤️
