Local writer thanks and apologizes to neurosurgery team and ICU nurses

brain activity, local writer Megan Bacigalupo, tbi survivor, neurosurgery team, icu nurses, subarachnoid ruptured aneurysm, stroke, trauma to the brain

“Dear neurosurgery team and ICU nurses@ Hennepin Healthcare,

I was hospitalized September 20, 2017 after suffering from a subarachnoid ruptured aneurysm and stroke. I spent two weeks in the ICU.

I really can’t thank all of you enough! I wish I knew each of your names!  I know that my personality in the ICU was challenging and at times extremely rude. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the excellent care you provided…and for putting up with me!  Haha

I have continued to thrive and build my strength pretty much back to normal. However as TBI survivors we are altered for life and never unscathed… I hope you enjoy my story!”

Megan Bacigalupo, a local writer, was rushed to HCMC after suffering a subarachnoid ruptured aneurysm and stroke last fall. Today, she is thriving and has regained her strength, and grateful every day for the care she received at Hennepin Healthcare, particularly within the neurosurgery team and the nurses in the ICU.

However, she always had this nagging feeling that she couldn’t put behind her. Not only did she not thank her caregivers at Hennepin for saving her life and compassionately caring for her for two weeks in the ICU, but she felt badly that her behavior did not reflect her actual self. She was rude and challenging to the nurses and other staff caring for her. The trauma that she was experiencing turned her into a person she was unfamiliar with and she didn’t like her. Looking back, she always had this desire to apologize. Somehow, this would give her closure.

The experts see different and erratic behaviors constantly and understand that in these traumatic situations personalities change and patients aren’t always at their best. It’s understandable. It’s expected – especially when it centers around trauma to the brain.

local writer Megan Bacigalupo, tbi survivor, neurosurgery team, icu nurses, subarachnoid ruptured aneurysm, stroke, trauma to the brain, closeupBut it mattered to Megan to express her gratitude and apologies.

She documented her experience in the Edge where she is a contributing writer.

Read In the Cobwebs of my Mind, by Megan Bacigalupo.

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Tags: emergency, events, icu, injury, neurosurgery, nurses, patient story, patient, rehabilitation, stroke, surgery, tbi, thank, trauma

2 Comments

  1. Scott R. La Point, Psy.D. on February 19, 2019 at 6:33 pm

    How wonderful that you were able to move past whatever guilt you felt because of your brain-injury-related behaviors by apologizing to those who care for you — and no doubt weren’t surprised by whatever aberrant behaviors you demonstrated. Reminds me of the time I was sitting with a psychologist for the first who revealed that he knew a lot about me already — that his wife had taken care of me while I was in ICU, and that he had heard all about how I had grabbed her chest after awaking from a four-day coma. Talk about violation of confidentiality, and being embarrassed all at the same time. Thank you for sharing that you too had an opportunity to thank — and apologize — to the medical team that ushered you from acute stage to recovery!

  2. Megan Bacigalupo on March 3, 2019 at 12:36 am

    Thanks for reading and commenting!

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