5 years ago

Five years ago today I was supposed to have an embolization procedure with brain surgery the next day, however it was called off due to being too risky. At the time I was upset because I wanted this over with more than anything. As the years have gone by with just yearly cerebral angiograms & radiation treatment I learned a whole lot more about my own health as well as the hereditary disease, HHT that is terrible. I have nothing but respect for the neurosurgeon that deemed surgery too risky,he said the risk of permanent paralysis was too high and the AVM board of doctors were all in agreement. Since then I have been worried about this thing known as the ticking time bomb in my head as there is nothing I could do or so I thought. I was afraid daily, as I lived alone & many of my hobbies I enjoyed doing on my own. I think worrying was worse on me than the occasional slurred speech, left sided weakness, lethargy, & almost daily morning migraines that cause me to puke before work in the morning. Thank God we found out about HHT and went to Cleveland Clinic,one of the nations best. Although I am still facing physical deficits I am better off with this AVM removed from my head. The consequences and outcome would've been worse If didn't have the surgery. It's true when they say everything happens for reason. During the past five years two aneurysms have formed in my brain and we also found out I have a pulmonary AVM. I am fortunate Cleveland clinic is an HHT Center of excellence, & their neurosurgeon took on my case knowing it'd be difficult, risky & messy, yet something that needed to be done. Stay tuned for my next blog on a lil update!