2/15/17 Home stretch

In October I made the decision to get this AVM out of my brain in January 2017. Knowing what was ahead of me , I exercised a little harder; even having someone at the gym asking what I was training for, with my reply... "brain surgery." A lot of people for years have always said "I don't know how you enjoy running so much." It was easier to stay quiet versus explain what my life could come to any day. Knowing the risks of this AVM rupturing since 2011, I intentionally put extra miles on my feet, ran some more 5k's, sang extra in the shower and car knowing what could be taken away from me. After a month and 1 week post surgery; it's time to go home with my new roomie.& start up my outpatient therapy and move on with life! Around this time in December of 2016 as I was packing up my apartment I started to get cold feet about having this surgery wondering if I was making the right decision , knowing the risks and the fact in 2012 a board of doctors deemed surgery too risky due to the size and location of my AVM. I assure you this was the best decision I've made however I need to continue to work hard daily. I won't lie, as soon as I was somewhat awake & alert, days later after surgery and getting off the breathing machine I felt exhausted and like I got hit by a semi truck or 2, often wondering and questioning "why did I do this?" And "is this my new life?" I couldn't talk,walk, eat, or move the left side of my body. I even had to wear a dang diaper!! My memory and concentration levels were poor. I lost all the blood in my body. With that being said, therapy wasted no time.. putting me to work every single day, even dribbling a basketball while walking in the gym.Days later, shooting hoops with my right hand. They believed in me and we worked together as a team, which I truly believe is so important in the recovery process. Each day they had me feeling better and stronger. I hope I'll continue to do so at home. The staff here have all treated my family and myself so well! I can't thank everyone enough- also my mom , sister, and brother have been absolutely phenomenal. Their daily support and encouragement which I know isn't easy given everything we went thru with my

Dad. Also, all the mail, visits, flowers, meals , gifts, care packages from everybody made each day a little bit easier! I don't believe I would've gotten this far if I was any older or if this was an emergency surgery, as it most likely would've been If I postponed this any longer. Okay time to stop writing & eat some ice cream!