We shared recently that Nigeria’s Ambassador to Hungary, Dr Eniola Olairan Ajayi, has been bereaved as she lost her 26-year-old daughter, Dolapo Ajayi, during the funeral rites of her father at Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The former first lady of Ekiti State, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, sent condolence message to her friend, Ambassador Eniola Olaitan Ajayi.
In a piece titled, Loud Whispers: When there are no words, published on her website, Mrs. Fayemi narrated the events that led to the death of the 27-year-old Dolapo Ajayi.
In her condolence message to Ajayi, Fayemi said people had gathered to bury Ambassador Ajayi’s father when Dolapo suddenly dropped dead. She was later diagnosed as having died of ruptured brain aneurysm.
Fayemi revealed her helplessness in the face of such an incident.
Part of her piece reads, “Friday, April 20, 2018 was one of the worst days of my life.
“A very close friend of mine lost her 27-year-old daughter the same day she was burying her 98-year-old father.
“We had all gathered to celebrate the life of a wonderful man who had spent all his life raising generations of teachers. What was meant to be a joyous occasion turned into an unspeakable tragedy when my friend’s daughter died suddenly after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm.
“It was the kind of day that shook people’s faith to the core, a day when we all kept pinching ourselves to see if we would wake up from the nightmare.
“I felt so helpless watching my friend suffer so intensely. The least I can do is share a few words with my dear sister and friend.
“What has happened to you is the worst nightmare of any parent. As if the tragedy of losing a beautiful young woman so suddenly was not bad enough, the fact that it happened the day you were burying your father is too much to bear.
“As I sat with you and other friends staring at the lifeless body of your first-born child, I felt a sense of hopelessness and helplessness I have never felt before.”
The published author went on to encourage Ambassador Eniola Ajayi to keep the faith and embrace the grieving process.
What is ruptured brain aneurysm?
According to authorities at Mayfield Brain and Spine Clinic, an aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge or weakening of an artery wall. As the bulge grows, it becomes thinner and weaker.
It can become so thin that the blood pressure within can cause it to leak or burst.
Aneurysms usually occur on larger blood vessels at the fork where an artery branches off.
A ruptured aneurysm releases blood into the subarachnoid space around the brain. When an aneurysm bursts, it releases blood into the spaces between the brain and the skull. This space is filled with cerebrospinal fluid that bathes and cushions the brain.
As blood spreads and clots, it irritates the lining of the brain and damages brain cells. At the same time, the area of brain that previously received oxygen-rich blood from the affected artery is now deprived of blood, resulting in a stroke.
A subarachnoid hemorrhage is life threatening, with a 40 per cent risk of death.
Symptoms of aneurysms
Most aneurysms don’t have symptoms until they rupture. Rupture usually occurs while a person is active rather than asleep. If you experience the symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, get to hospital immediately!
Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Sudden onset of a severe headache (often described as “the worst headache of my life”)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Blurred or double vision
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
