I just had to share...today is the 1-year anniversary of my AVM bleed. My husband promised to spoil me rotten all day! :-)
The bleed a year ago caused a massive brain hemmorhage that moved my brain 1/2 inch and put me in a coma almost immediately. I had a collapsed lung and needed emergency brain surgery and a blood transfusion. The doctor said "this is as bad as it gets" and told my husband to call my family in to say their goodbyes. The surgery was surprisingly successful and against all odds, I am back. It's not perfect, but I'm happy to deal with the little inconveniences of balance problems, depth perception issues and memory loss in exchange for LIFE!
It's been a busy year, trying to re-gain my independence and heal. But I got a book published about my experience and I'm doing my best to get the word out about AVM's so they can be more easily recognized and treated, and so that people will understand what we are going through. I was very lucky that I had a doctor that knew about AVM's. The EMT figured I just had a migraine and didn't want to put me in the ambulance. Thank Goodness my husband insisted. Another 10 minutes and I wouldn't have made it.
I just hope that my experience will inspire others to fight for survival, believe in miracles, and appreciate the preciousness of life. I have met so many wonderful people on this site, and am so excited to go to San Francisco for the TAAF walk on May 1st and have a chance to meet some of you in person! And although I'm bringing my cane on the trip just in case, I've been working for weeks to be able to proudly walk this TAAF walk as an AVM survivor on my own two feet - graduated from a walker, wheelchair and cane - as I do my best to take my life back!
.Happy re-birthday! Your story is so inspirational and will give hope to all that read! My "headaversary" is nearly 40 years ago. Thanks to my family, the Lord, and my neurosurgeon in Pittsburgh, PA, I'm here for all-.beat up on the surface but my spirit prevails. The tale of my battle can be found in Fear Not, My Son. I had a hip replaced two years ago and hope to fire my walker as well!
Thanks for sharing! If you don't have your story published in a book but would like to, I can put you in contact with my publisher...
Kat
Rob Forsythe said:
Kat.
.Happy re-birthday! Your story is so inspirational and will give hope to all that read! My "headaversary" is nearly 40 years ago. Thanks to my family, the Lord, and my neurosurgeon in Pittsburgh, PA, I'm here for all-.beat up on the surface but my spirit prevails. The tale of my battle can be found in Fear Not, My Son. I had a hip replaced two years ago and hope to fire my walker as well!
Kat, I would very much like to share my story with others as you have. I'm wondering in what format your story was published, as my resources are very limited. I'm currently assembling a number of anecdotes spanning the range of embarrassment to the great number of miracles in a humorous vein. I've been bestowed above and beyond above my recovery from my AVM. Once again, thank you very much.
Happy Birthday Kat - your story is so inspirational an keeps all of us hopeful - thank you so much for sharing with us and have a GREAT time in San Francisco for the TAAF walk :-)))
You can go to our book’s website: www.theunstoppablelife.com for more information about the book. It was published as a paperback and also a “kindle” download on Amazon.com. It will also be available soon on Barnes & Noble. It’s been a fun process and I feel like my ordeal might turn into a blessing to others if I can share what I’ve learned. You can also email me offline through the website and my husband can explain the process.
Rob Forsythe said:
Kat, I would very much like to share my story with others as you have. I'm wondering in what format your story was published, as my resources are very limited. I'm currently assembling a number of anecdotes spanning the range of embarrassment to the great number of miracles in a humorous vein. I've been bestowed above and beyond above my recovery from my AVM. Once again, thank you very much.
WOW! That is a very inspiring story! What is the name of the book? I’m always looking for inspiring stories to read. So happy you can attend the walk as I did back in 2009. I so want to be able to go again but flying a family of 4 across the country is just a bit expensive. Have a great time meeting everyone!!
I am in the process of starting fundraising to help parents of children with avm's. to assist parents to take them to appts esp if these are in another city . pay for accomadation etc. I am fortunate to ahve a well apid job, so when i go to bristol to have a consult with a new nuero surgeon with my daughter I am able to pay for the travel and accom, but I know some ppl are not as fortunate.
If anyone could fund raise to contribute to this it would be much appreciated, please message me at ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
Happy Re-Birthday to you Kat. I will probably be attending the walk in San Francisco,, so I look forward to meeting you and giving you a happy birthday hug:-)
The book is called "Unstoppable Life" It's available on Amazon.com and through the website www.theunstoppablelife.com
Even if it only makes one life better, it was worth all the effort!
I can't wait for my trip - wish yu could come but I get it - it's expensive. Fortunately it's only an 8 hour drive for me.
Kim (Jaclyn's mom) said:
WOW! That is a very inspiring story! What is the name of the book? I'm always looking for inspiring stories to read. So happy you can attend the walk as I did back in 2009. I so want to be able to go again but flying a family of 4 across the country is just a bit expensive. Have a great time meeting everyone!!
Happy Re-Birthday to you Kat. I will probably be attending the walk in San Francisco,, so I look forward to meeting you and giving you a happy birthday hug:-)
Hi Kat! It's great to hear about your progress. I love your positivity and strength that you carry with you through your journey. It's very inspiring.
So happy re-birthday to you, and best of luck to you in all of your endeavors.I hope that you enjoy your time in San Francisco, and the AVM Awareness Walk.
I have to miss it this year because I take my final exam that week...maybe next year, I'll make it.
Can't believe you're right here in Corona! Who is your doctor? Mine was Dr. Javed Saddiqi - he works out of Loma Linda and also Riverside County Regional Medical Center (which is where I had my surgery).
Let me know if you ever want to meet for coffee or something.
Christine Peterson said:
Sorry Im a day late, but Happy Re-Birthday! I hope it was great!
