Nikki Staley’s Story

My dear Dad died unexpectedly and horrifically, just 6 months prior and I think the stress of it put my undiagnosed brain aneurysm to the bursting point! My paternal grandmother died from a ruptured brain aneurysm and I had no idea it could be genetic.

Of note, prior to 2020, the hospital that is closest to me did not have the capability to treat ruptured aneurysms. I would have (like my grandmother) been airlifted to the nearest hospital 200 miles away. With time being the #1 most important in survival, I would have not survived. 

I collapsed in my driveway after chasing my dog who had escape from our yard in the morning before I went to work. I was stressed and felt abnormally out of breath. I managed to get up after vomiting and into the house, where my husband was getting ready for work and told him something was wrong, I can’t feel my left leg and think I’m having a stroke! I said call my mom!! (Moms know best) She heard me say, “my head is pounding” and said call 911!

My local, rural, EMS, were at my house, I was told, within 10min. I am also forever grateful to them! I don’t remember anything after that until about the 2nd week in the ICU , with my head shaved and a tube coming out my head. I do remember experiencing exceptional care and realizing the severity of my condition and how extremely lucky I am to have survived. I have no deficits and was able to go back to work, as a salon owner in just a month.

Two years later, I was able to move from the more invasive cerebral angiogram to an MRA. I have a very small unruptured aneurysm that is being monitored and the coiled 4mm is holding steady.

I am sharing my story for my Grandmother and the importance of awareness in this deadly and preventable devastating condition. *and also because the hair salon I own is ironically “The Beehive Salon”