AVM Story

The Story.

It’s what draws me into a blog and gets me hooked. The joy and tears that other people share connects deep down inside of me.

I am not alone. I am not the only one.

I like to be open and real. I want people to know and see the true me. My Story is part of me.

Below is my story, and although this is just one event, but it has significantly impacted my life, and I believe I can encourage and entertain others by telling it.

The Beginning:

I was born with an arteriovenus malformation (AVM), located in the right frontal lobe of my brain. I first began seeing signs that something was not right on my senior trip near the end of my senior year of high school. I would experience a climbing, numbing sensation in my left arm that would begin in my thumb and forefinger then travel up through my arm to my neck and tongue.

I now know these sensations to be localized seizures caused by the AVM. At the time, my parents and I thought it was a blood sugar issue. My brother is a diabetic, the only major medical condition in my family, so that was our only thought.

The seizures occurred sporadically: in bed falling asleep, working out, typing, sitting in class, etc. After college, I mentioned the events to my primary care doctor, but she had no idea what could be causing it since there didn’t seem to be a triggering event.

About a year after this discussion, we found out right quick what had been going on these eight years…

My Side of the Story – Part 1

My Side of the Story – Part 2

My Side of the Story – Part 3

My Side of the Story – Part 4

My Side of the Story – Part 5

My Side of the Story – Part 6

My Side of the Story – Part 7

My Side of the Story – Part 8

My Side of the Story – Part 9

My Side of the Story – Part 10

My Side of the Story – Part 11