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You are here: Home / Health / AVM / My Health Journey | Encouragement in the Face of Poor Health

My Health Journey | Encouragement in the Face of Poor Health

October 29, 2018 by Emily Leave a Comment

Thanks for dropping by today! One of the goals of this blog is to encourage you through your health journey. My health journey is wide and varied, and my first major health condition, an arteriovenus malformation, is the primary reason I started writing consistently on this blog. Today, I’d like to re-share my AVM story so you can find encouragement from my health journey. The discovery, removal, and rehabilitation from this event has God’s hand written all over it, and I want you to know that God can work through anyone in any condition at any time.

encouragement from my health journey

The time of year is quickly approaching where my family and I celebrate God’s miraculous healing in my life. Just like the Israelites set up stones from the Jordan river to remember God parting the waters before them (read it here), we set up “stones” in the form of an annual party on the day of my brain surgery, December 3.

My husband and I want to remember, years from now, how gracious God was giving my life back to me. We want our kids to remember too.

Did your parents recount the miracles and blessings God did for them? Perhaps your parents weren’t believers, but let me assure you, God is living and active in our lives. My life is a testament to this truth.

Today, let me share my story so I can remember once again God’s goodness.


The Rupture

While sitting at my office desk one Thursday afternoon, November 12, 2009, a sudden pop and burst of pain was felt in my head. Immediately, a headache began. Not knowing what to do, I went to the bathroom.

Pain makes you do funny things! I’m not sure what I thought going to the bathroom would do!

I muddled through Thursday and Friday as pain continued to worsen and even start to radiate down my back.

Why didn’t I go to the doctor? Well, partly, I only go if it’s absolutely necessary, and this was only a headache! Secondly, I had free Griffin’s tickets for Friday evening! Can’t miss free tickets to the local hockey game, right???

Dan and I left the game early because I couldn’t handle the noise from the crowds with my headache. My last memory is stepping into the car from the curb as Dan held the door open for me.

To read the rest of the story, click here!

The Story

If you go to the link above, you’ll find I’ve written extensively about this experience. I was lucid through much of the 3 month ordeal (hospitalization and rehab time), and I remember quite a bit of my drugged up dreams and thoughts which I’ve attempted to relay to you.

Since this experience, I’ve met a circle of friends who live in Grand Rapids who’ve also had an AVM, and through some friends I’ve found friends-of-friends who’ve had an AVM. The world is so much smaller than we know! This was the beginning of God using my AVM for His good and for His glory.

I share my story to encourage you. God can work through anyone in any circumstance at anytime. He’s done miraculous physical healing in my life, but that pales in comparison to the work He did on the cross for us. God loves you, my friend. He sent His son to die for you to make a way to heaven for you. He loves you and wants to spend eternity with you. If you don’t know this truth for yourself, watch this, read this or contact me. I’d love to show you the way to Jesus.

The Rest of the Story

Since February 2010, my life has returned mostly to normal. I slowly phased back into full-time work while phasing out of rehabilitation. The left side of my body is mostly restored to full functioning. The most obvious shortcoming is the dexterity in my left hand, but if you didn’t know me prior to surgery, you would never know. Who can complain that their non-dominant hand isn’t as nimble as it used to be? Not me! It is a small thing to deal with in the light of how serious the surgery was and other possible repercussions.

As mentioned in the my story, I try to show the hand of God working. Just in case you don’t have a whole day to read through my posts, let me give you the highlights.

  • Perfect Peace – A needle-hater and worrier by nature, I was completely at peace and calm throughout the entire hospitalization. Daily blood draws and uncertainty about the outcome of the surgery didn’t phase me. God kept me at peace.
  • No Children {yet} – My surgeon commented how “lucky” I was that I didn’t have children prior to discovery of the AVM as it is usual discovered in childbirth and therefore a crisis situation. Luck had nothing to do with it. If I’d had my way, we’d already have children, but God protected me through my husband’s decision to not have kids yet.
  • Healing – I am healed! My skull was cut open, part of my brain (not grey matter, just arteries and veins) was removed, and I lived to tell the story!

encouragement from my health journey

Actual scans of my brain showing the empty space where the AVM used to be. The size was equivalent to an apricot.

My AVM story is a big piece of my history, but that’s not the only part nor the end. I continue to deal with diabetes and who knows what might develop in the future, but I know God is working in my life through these difficulties. Finding purpose in the midst of and in response to health issues has been key to me leading a fulfilled and not disappointed life. I hope you find encouragement from my health journey. Your pain is not for naught, and your suffering is not unnoticed.


Are you struggling with health issues that just seem unfair today? Have you found Jesus then find His purpose for you in the midst that struggle? Do you have lessons to share for those of us with chronic health concerns?

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Filed Under: Autoimmune Disease, AVM, Health, Type 1 Diabetes

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I'm Emily, and I am passionate about using food and healthy habits to transform lives with autoimmune disease. Here you will find healthy recipes that follow the Paleo or Autoimmune Protocol diets, strategies to create a life free from autoimmune symptoms, and encouragement to press on!

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Type 1 diabetic, AVM survivor, Autoimmune Protocol dieter, DIY-er, Mom, Wife, and Lover of Jesus. So glad you are here today, and I hope you leave encouraged! Learn more about me →

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