Orland Woman Had 3% Chance To Live: Brain Aneurysm Month

ORLAND PARK, IL — It was 17 years ago that Janet Sutherland-Madden was given a 3 percent chance to live after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm — something she knew practically nothing about, but had symptoms of for years.

"It was March 22, 2004, and I had a sinus infection. As always, in winter, I would go on antibiotics, and I would start taking Tylenol and aspirin," Sutherland-Madden said. "But that year I was having tons of headaches, and continued to take four aspirin every month for four months. Little did I know, I had a family history of brain aneurysms, because I'm adopted."

On that March day, Sutherland-Madden was walking her dog when she began to experience what she describes as the worst headache she has ever had. She called her mother, who told her she is probably having a stroke.

"I told her no one at my age has a stroke," Sutherland-Madden said.

What happened next is much of a blur to Sutherland-Madden, then 38, who retrieved a copy of the 911 call to help her remember one of the most horrific moments of her life.

"I started to wail and scream. The 911 operator was smart enough to say, 'Why don't you open your door,' and I did. The paramedics found me the laying on the floor in my kitchen, passed out, having a seizure, convulsing and throwing up," Sutherland-Madden said.

She was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent emergency brain surgery with a slim chance of survival. Sutherland-Madden was in a coma for three weeks, later waking up blind and paralyzed.

This life-changing moment brought Sutherland-Madden, now an Orland Park resident, to a new chapter: spreading awareness about brain aneurysms.

After recovering from being blind and paralyzed, she helped craft a bill in Illinois to make September permanently Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month. Madden’s initiative is to raise money and awareness in support of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. This year, the Chicago 5K Run for Brain Aneurysm Awareness will be held on Sunday, at the College of DuPage, located at 425 Fawell Blvd in Glen Ellyn. The foundation is looking to exceed last year’s amount, which goes towards research for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. The event starts at 10 a.m.

Last year, the walk was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Sutherland-Madden and her husband Kevin created their own team and still raised nearly $6,500 for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. An estimated 6.5 million people in the United States have an unruptured brain aneurysm, or one in 50 people.

"It's a really nice opportunity to meet survivors and for people to honor loved ones who may have died from a brain aneurysm, and we're hoping to raise some good money to go towards research for brain aneurysms," Sutherland-Madden said.

Madden found out in 2019 when she had a routine angiogram that she had another brain aneurysm, but her doctors are monitoring that aneurysm’s progress, and luckily it has not been an issue. Her goal is to inspire others through her journey to recovery.

"My overall goal is to raise enough money to develop a research chair," Sutherland-Madden said. "Brain aneurysms are one of the least-funded illnesses. The federal government spends only $2.08 per year on brain aneurysm research for each person afflicted. So that's an important piece of information. That is why we keep having walks and keep having fundraisers because we're not getting enough money."

Madden frequently speaks at hospitals and support group meetings. She has partnered with the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System to raise funds for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. Their mission is to promote early detection of brain aneurysms by providing knowledge and raising awareness of the signs, symptoms, and risk factors. She also serves as the foundation’s Illinois ambassador for their “Stop The POP” campaign.

Madden wrote a book, "Nose Over Toes," which details her recovery and research from the Brain Aneurysm Foundation.

“I hope this book will help caregivers and survivors in the recovery process—and they won’t feel alone,” she said. "There's nothing worse than recovering from a brain aneurysm and not understanding what made you sick.”

For more information on Janet Sutherland-Madden’s book and the affiliated organization, visit Noseovertoes.com and Brain Aneurysm Foundation.