I had an AVM rupture in the right parietal lobe of my brain 3/16/2014 and had to have emergency brain surgery to remove it. Dr. Ringer with the Mayfield Clinic here in Cincinnati, OH performed the 8 hour surgery. I remember about a total of 24 hours of the month I spent in the hospital. I had 9 months of outpatient OT, PT and speech therapies. The years leading up to the large rupture I had chronic ocular migraines with a kalidescope effect in left peripheral vision. And I also had meningitis 2 years prior; unbeknownst to me was probably a small bleed of the AVM. The long lasting and probably forever effects that I continue to have are chronic head rushes and headaches, tinitus, loss of peripheral vision on the left side, difficulty following words on a page, chronic anxiety and sensitivity to lights and noises. I still have aphasia, but have understanding family and friends. I am grateful I survived and have this amazing perspective now which I wish all could have without the near death experience! I have completely immersed myself into creating art now, currently ceramics on the potters wheel. I have a theory once it was removed the right side of my brain started to get better blood flow or something because I am completely compelled to create now, where previous to the tbi I thrived in interpersonal skills. I work full time from home doing sales and service for upscale retailers. I have to take frequent breaks to regroup, but, my employer is very understanding. I'm sure I'm leaving a lot of info out if anyone has questions let me know! ********* "My Beautiful Broken Brain" on netflix is an amazing self-made film of a woman who had an AVM rupture. I highly recommend watching. 💜

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