‘I Feel Like I’Ve Been Shot in the Head’: Mother, Daughter Survive Complex Brain Aneurysms

Credit: (Photo courtesy of Galvez Family)

Vivian Ramirez Galvez (left) suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm in December 2022 and had lifesaving surgery with a team led by UT Southwestern neurosurgeon Rafael De Oliveira Sillero, M.D. Seven months later after a screening, Vivian’s mother, Susana, also was diagnosed with an aneurysm and had surgery with Dr. Sillero, but hers did not rupture.

« ‘I Feel Like I’Ve Been Shot in the Head’: Mother, Daughter Survive Complex Brain Aneurysms

Credit: (Photo courtesy of Galvez Family)

Despite the critical nature of her ruptured aneurysm, Vivian had a low grade of neurological symptoms and was lucid before her surgery – factors that helped shape her treatment plan and positive outlook.

« ‘I Feel Like I’Ve Been Shot in the Head’: Mother, Daughter Survive Complex Brain Aneurysms

Credit: (Photo courtesy of Galvez Family)

While she was in the hospital, Susana was visited by her daughter Alejandra (center) and granddaughter Nicole.

« ‘I Feel Like I’Ve Been Shot in the Head’: Mother, Daughter Survive Complex Brain Aneurysms

Credit: (Photo courtesy of Galvez Family)

Vivian is among the 0.01% of Americans who suffer ruptured brain aneurysms each year.

« ‘I Feel Like I’Ve Been Shot in the Head’: Mother, Daughter Survive Complex Brain Aneurysms

Credit: (Image courtesy of Rafael De Oliveira Sillero, M.D.)

A carotid artery angiographic image shows Vivian’s large brain aneurysm with a wide neck arising from the artery.

« ‘I Feel Like I’Ve Been Shot in the Head’: Mother, Daughter Survive Complex Brain Aneurysms

Credit: (Image courtesy of Rafael De Oliveira Sillero, M.D.)

A native angiographic image shows a coil being placed inside Vivian’s aneurysm, and a flow-diverting stent covering the neck of the aneurysm.

« ‘I Feel Like I’Ve Been Shot in the Head’: Mother, Daughter Survive Complex Brain Aneurysms

Credit: (Image courtesy of Rafael De Oliveira Sillero, M.D.)

An angiographic image shows the final result of Vivian’s embolization procedure with obliteration of the aneurysm.

« ‘I Feel Like I’Ve Been Shot in the Head’: Mother, Daughter Survive Complex Brain Aneurysms

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