Hello Everyone. In 1992 (at the age of 20), I was a Junior at Texas A&M University, sitting in class and 7 months pregnant with my 1st child, when I had a AVM explosion in my left brain. I immediately became paralyzed on my right side, lost my speech and short-term memory. I died on the operating table 3 time but they were able to bring me back to life. After a 12-hour surgery, they removed a blood clot the size of the surgeons fist from my brain and they repaired the blood vessels that erupted. They put me on a breathing machine so my daughter could survive, but her lungs were not fully developed; so they kept me alive long enough so that her lungs would develop enough, then they were going to remove me from life support. One week later, I woke up in ICU. I survived! They eventually removed the shunt from my brain and moved me to a rehabilitation hospital. I was able to carry my daughter full-term and she was born 6-weeks after my brain surgery. I had to have the Gamma-Ray treatment less than a year later. Here I am, 32 years later and I was able to complete my bachelors degree then my Masters degree, working as an Accountant. Although I had to learn how to walk, talk, read and write all over again…I made it…and so can anybody else. My daughter (who I was pregnant with at the time of my AVM) is now 32 years old and the mother of my 4 grandchildren. I also gave birth to 2 more children after my rupture. Although I am permanently partially paralyzed on my right side, I am here to encourage someone who may feel like I was feeling (feeling lost, confused, angry, sad); trying to understand why this happened to them. We may never know why, but just focus on the fact that there is life after an AVM. Now, I am 52 years old, thanking God that He helped me to survive. Hang in there…it will get better!!!
Welcome and great to hear your story! Take Care, John
Amazing! I love your tenacity and grit
Thank you for your story! I am four years post having the Gamma Knife surgery (for the third time), and I’m hoping to get pregnant within the next five years. Your journey gives me hope that everything will be okay!
You remind me a little bit of myself; however, I had 15 AVM strokes, from 1970 or 1971, in my mother’s womb; I was born on July 4, 1971.
My 15th stroke occurred in May of 1987 and I had a successful craniotomy on June 5th, 1987, in London, Ontario. My wife and I got married on June 5th, 2004.
And eight years today since you joined AVMsurvivors! 
Trisha,
Thank you for sharing your story. It is quite impressive! I don’t feel so alone, as I too survived a ruptured AVM, in 1993. An urgent craniotomy saved me, but I didn’t have another life dependent on it! You and your daughter are blessed. I am so very happy that you could complete your education and work as an accountant.
Amazing story…
Hello, mattramzzz1971,
I can’t help asking… Your neurosurgeon wasn’t Dr. Charles Drake was it? I went to a neuro conference in San Diego around that time where Dr. Drake, from London, Ontario, gave a presentation on surgical interventions on AVMs. As an ICU nurse, I had never heard of AVMs! A few years later, I became quite familiar with them!
Very pleased that you survived so many assaults on your brain.
Thank you John…glad to be here!
Thank you 
Hello Hermione711. I can verify that you can motherhood is possible…even after an AVM. My 3 kids are now adults, and they are thriving right along with me. Be encouraged 
That is an amazing story of survival mattramzzz1971. Keep sharing your story, and so will I. We made it!!!
Thank you Lifeisgood. I am so happy your survived too. An AVM does not have to be a death sentence…WE MADE IT!!!
Thank you! I didn’t even realize it had been so long. 18.5 years since my first bleed, nearly 5 years since my second, and 8 years of the great support of AVMSurvivors. Thank you all!
What an incredible story of survival. Thank you for sharing it. You give hope to people by doing so.
Thanks, Trisha! Can I just ask a couple other questions? Since my AVM obliteration has not been confirmed since my last Gamma Knife, are there risks of my blood pressure increasing with pregnancy that might cause another bleed? Also, can I deliver naturally or is a C-section better if the AVM hasn’t been destroyed? I’ve heard several times about AVMs rupturing during child birth.
Hey Hermione711. Those are great question. I did not have any issues with blood pressure during child birth or surgery (but that could very well be an issue for you that needs to be monitored for sure), so I would leave that to your doctor; but my neurosurgeon had concerns with me having to push during labor causing to much strain on my brain (since it had only been 6-weeks since my brain surgery with the birth of my 1st child), so I gave birth to all of my kids via C-section. At the birth of my 1st child, I had no choice but to have a C-section. I did not give birth again until 6 years later (after my doctor verified that my treatment was successful). At the birth of my 2nd child, my OBGYN did not want to take any chances, so he also gave me a C-section; but when I gave birth to my son (my 3rd child) two years later, my doctor (a different doctor) said they would have allowed me to try and give birth naturally with my 2nd pregnancy, but since I had 2 C-section already, they opted to give me a 3rd C-section. So basically, it is up to your OBGYN (in consultation with your neurosurgeon), but it is definitely possible to have a healthy pregnancy and birth.
Wow, what an incredible story!
Thank you for sharing it and allowing us to feel hope through your journey. God works wonders, and so does life. I am beyond happy that you not only survived that challenge but also had the chance to raise your children and watch them grow into adults.
I celebrate your life and the lives of your family. They are truly blessed to have such a strong, resilient woman like you among them!
Thanks, Trisha! I’m so grateful for you sharing your experience with me. 
Wow !