So it's been awhile since I first came on here. My fiance Jason is still here helping me recover and my son is now 20 months old. Having the AVM bleed and not being able to control my own body or have alot of really weird thoughts was scary. I was really scared and glad everyone on this website as so nice. I am now 28 and am still recovering from the AVM bleed. I had a serious bleed in my cerabellum and when I came to I was paralized. I remember being so hungry but I couldnt even swallow or talk. With 'alot of hardwork and many hours of therapy I am alot better an still recovering. I am sorry if I seemed like I lost touch with the site, I couldnt even type on my own, my fiance would write what I said. I also was less aware of things and pretty confused. I am able to stand and walk but I have still a hard time balancing. Although its getting better, I work out 2hrs a day and am fortuneate enough to have a treadmill and use it 30 mins a day. ( to build up muscles to walk and stamina for all kinds of things) I can do most things with my baby but still cant carry him around in fear of falling with him. Im currently working on that. Last time I wrote I was waiting for GK but now Ive had it. The only side effects I have are headaches and pressure for about a month after the surgery. Im currently waiting to see if it got fully rid of my AVM. In Canada they make you wait 4 years before they will do it again. Fingers crossed it worked. The Dr.s are amazed with my stroke recovery, they dont know if they should attribute it too determination or my young brain. I still have a long way to go physically and mentally. It scares me, thinking of not recovering fully. If things keep going as good as they have, I'll be ok. I hate to say it though but seriously, dont listen to the Dr,s when they say their is a time limit to your healing. So far it's been a year and 4 months and Im still healing. I remember when I came to my time limit, I was pretty upset. I thought " this is how Im gonna be for the rest of my life". I couldnt barely talk or walk or think straight. I was scared and upset. Jay bought this one book and read it to me on my breaks inbetween therapys, its called " The Brain that Changes itsself" Anyone that knows me pretty good knows Im a bit of a control freak, this book helped me feel like I was able to take control back over something that had taken me for a ride. I could do something. I dont agree with animal testing myself and I found there was alot in the book, but I just tried to not let it get to me as there was alot of good points. Another good book is " My stroke Of Insight" Im half way through it right now. My attitude when I would get really frustrated, and I did lots, was, I have to live in this body forever, 2 or 3 years of hard work is alot to get back what I use to do but I have according to studies at least another 50 years I m gonna do my best to fix what I can. I have worked though some totally weird situations but did my best to keep my head up. If I had any advice it would be to think of things you are going through as stages and never accept them as the end, keep pushing ahead. Dr.s can be wrong, it happened with me. Tc though. And Ill ttyl.
You are an amazing lady! Your fiance is an amazing man! Keep on going and I’m sure you will make it!
Thank U for sharing your story Monica I too had a bleed in the cerrebellum area & underwent surgery in April 2010…it is quite amazing & miraculous what our bodies can actually endure? isn’t it? I am looking at returning to work next week & am quite nervous . One minute I feel this is the push I need & the only way I am going to find out if I am truly ready , the next minute I am very scared its too soon!! After reading your blog I am soo inspired to “keep pushing ahead” like u said…thank u Monica u r an amazing woman I am soo glad I took the time to read your post…Good Luck, keep fighting the good fight!!
Hope the doctors find that the AVM is completely gone and that you continue recovering.
Take care,
Debbie
A very uplifting story - you are a very positive woman and have support from a wonderful man. I pray for your continued strength and improvement.