Rosalie Van Blanken’s life was turned upside down six months ago. While recovering from a successful gastric reduction, Enschede experienced severe headaches at the beginning of December. It turns out a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Then meningitis. Consequences still remain, but now she wants to “give something back” to Hersenstichting. Yesterday I started a 329km walk that lasted seventeen days and hopes to earn money for the foundation.
Sneeze vigorously
The sudden headache she had last December had nothing to do with the gastric bypass. “After that stomach surgery, things were actually going really well until I woke up in the night with a really bad headache and ended up in the hospital.” The diagnosis was a cerebrospinal fluid leak. The result was headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. She does not know the cause of the leak. “Hit your head hard, sneeze hard. I don’t know, it was just there.”
Meningitis
The pressure in the brain was very low and returned to normal after treatment. But the headache returned in full force. Meningitis was the conclusion. “And back to the hospital. Can’t stand the sounds and the light. You lie down and hope it passes. You really don’t know what hit you.”
Exaggerate
Six months later she was in the studio with a non-congenital brain injury. “My life has been turned upside down. I am still overstimulated, tired, and have trouble concentrating.” This also makes it difficult because she has four children. “You can just get off your bat. My husband has to absorb hits.”
“I could not stand the sounds and the light. You lay down and hoped it would pass.”
Rosalie Van Blanken
panic attack
Van Blanken was recently at the supermarket and had a panic attack. I just stood there and didn’t know why. I wondered what to do here. Passers-by did not know what to do with him. I hope they will address you and check my performance. This makes a difference.” She sometimes suffers from aphasia, which leaves her unable to speak. “Sad thing.”
‘I had returned’
She says, “I’m on the right track.” Seventeen days of walking 329 kilometers is a bit of a treat. “It’s the feeling that I can organize something again. That you can show that you’re back.”
knowledge transfer
Anskide would like to give Hersensstitching something to help her. “The Foundation means a lot to me by talking to me about what’s going on with me. Interpretation and knowledge transfer, that’s all there is to it, so that I can better deal with the bad moments.”
Donations
The rally started on Monday. Donations to the Brain Foundation are welcome and can be made via the Rosalie van Blanken page on the Brain Foundation website or via the Rosalie van Blanken Facebook page.
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