Six years to the day after collapsing with a brain haemorrhage Rhona Moore, School of Psychology Administration Manager, is stepping up for two charities which are very close to her heart.
'They' say everyone has one marathon in them, so on Sunday 16th October 2022 I will be testing this theory by running my first ever marathon around the scenic Loch Rannoch in Perthshire.
I am using this opportunity to raise funds for two charities that I have made use of over the past 6 years and which are very personal to me: Headway and Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
On Sunday 16th October 2016 I was in the local supermarket in Bridge of Don where, out of the blue, I had an instantaneous debilitating headache and lost control of my legs before I collapsed and lost consciousness. I was taken by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where I was diagnosed with a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and rushed down to the Western General Infirmary in Edinburgh under blue lights that evening, to receive emergency brain surgery the next morning. I have next to no recollection of the days that followed and I only properly gained awareness again after surgery and a few days in the high dependency unit. After 13 days in hospital I was allowed home to begin a slow but steady recovery with support of my family and friends.
During my recovery, Headway proved a valuable resource as I began to understand and come to terms with what had happened to me. My cognition was very impaired to begin with and I really struggled to process information, but Headway’s website is helpfully written in a very clear and accessible way. There are also useful tailored resources for the brain injury survivor, and for friends and family members who are supporting that individual.
My SAH was caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm and although the surgery was successful, a part of that aneurysm is still getting a blood supply so I remain under the observation of the surgical team in Edinburgh and have regular MRI scans to monitor the behaviour of the remaining part. Further surgery in the future remains a possibility but, all things considered, I’m incredibly lucky to have made such a good recovery when the initial prognosis was far from certain.
By August 2017, just 10 months after my SAH, I was just about back on my feet and only a few weeks away from returning to full-time work when my husband, Gary, became suddenly very unwell and was admitted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. During a 17 day stay in hospital (he is very proud of beating my record!) he was later diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which has never fully settled down since. This is an auto-immune disease which continues to affect his life and requires ongoing treatment. Five years on we are still searching for the best treatment for him so I’m also running this marathon to raise funds for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, who support pioneering research into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
My age (33 at the time) and fitness were major factors in making such a good recovery from my SAH so, when I was given appropriate medical clearance, I started running regularly. I joined the local Jog Scotland Bridge of Don group in November 2018 and with their support I have completed numerous 5Ks, 10Ks and 3 half marathons, only leaving this run to get the full set!
I am only too aware that we are all having to watch the pennies a bit more at the moment, but if you can spare anything to help these two worthy charities, who have provided so much support to my family, please visit my JustGiving page.