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Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Muchas Gracias por su apoyo.  Queremos dar el conocimiento de lo que se trata un aneurisma del cerebro.

My Story:

Hi, my name is Elma Uresti and I am 46 yrs old. My children are grown and living out of state, I was living alone. On October 18, 2007 I suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm.

I had been getting headaches for many years, I had CAT scans done but nothing was ever found. On this date I had gone to work as usual. I had gone home for lunch, as I usually did, being that I lived only a few miles away. My sister had come by to see me at home, she was planning on going away for her birthday with a friend.. She came to tell me about her plans. I wasn't feeling well that day... I was thinking maybe it was due to the new eye glasses prescription, that was making me feel off.

As my sister and I sat there chatting, I complained of a severe head pain, I described it as if my head was being squished, at that point I became unconsciencious.

She phoned 911, the response was very quick. I was taken to a local hospital here in Santa Rosa, CA.. from there I was air flown to UCSF Medical Center.

The physicians from the local hospital told my sister to prepare for the worst. That she should get the family together. My children were called, they were flying in from PA, the rest of my family lived in the area. My family needed to prepare for my death or that I might be severely brain damaged.

I do not recall my stay at UCSF, only the day that I was going to be released and sent back to the local hospital out here in Santa Rosa. I was out in San Francisco for nearly 3 weeks in the ICU and a few days in Santa Rosa before I was released to go home.

The doctors have told my family members that it is a miracle that I have come out of this ordeal without any brain damage.

What I do notice is my short term memory isn't that good. I still get head aches.

What was done to me at UCSF at that time: Coiling of the ruptured brain aneurysm , and a fistula in neck was also coiled. When they were doing the angiogram they discovered that I also had 3 unruptured brain aneurysms.

I did attempt to go back to work in January on a part-time basis, but the head aches continued, and my concentration on subject matters were not there. I went back on disability.

I am presently living with my sister. We are best friends as well as family members.

Six months have past, on April 1st, 2008 I had the follow up angiogram where I had another aneurysm coiled. I was hospitalized for 2 days this time. I have one unruptured aneurysm left, in six months that one will be coiled. The third aneurysm..... The surgeons said it miraculously disappeared. I feel that I am getting better.

My job consisted of working in front of a computer most of the day, where I hope to return very soon.

I have faith and I do believe in miracles. I have a purpose here and someday I will know what it is.

May God bless you all.....

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR DONATIONS.

Off Line Donations:

Nancy Montoya                  $50.00

Silva Ramirez                     $25.00

Eva Uresti:                         $75.00

Ma & Pa Uresti                   $20.00

Diana Passalaqua              $50.00