AVM Survivors Network: Arteriovenous Malformation Support

We're AVM Survivors, Here For Your Support...

Just your typical girl next door...sorta!

Latest Activity

CONGRATULATIONS SHALON!! I have been waiting for this announcement! I will become a fan for sure on Facebook! Great idea and Good luck! Yay for you!
4 hours ago
I had the nicest little surprise this morning!!! Seems a little AVMer was just waiting to be a huge help to me and Feel Good Gowns. After only one day of actually being open for business I found that I already had my first news article!!! Our wonder…
6 hours ago
13 hours ago
14 hours ago
Thanks guys! I have to admit I'm pretty freakin excited about all of it. But now that it is "out" there more of the hard work starts! Like actually making sure the website works and not just looks good (oops...still don't know why it's charging ever…
yesterday
Congrats! That is so awsome.
yesterday
Shalon you are MARVELOUS !!!
yesterday
Shalon left a comment for Luke G
yesterday

Profile Information

Are you an AVM survivor, a relative, a friend, or a medical professional? (Required)
AVM Survivor
What is the status of the AVM?
Active
How was the AVM treated?
Embollization
Describe the AVM (location, size) if you know it.
Facial AVM, left jaw, cheek, lip.
Please share your AVM experience. (Discovery, symptoms, treatment, recovery)
For my entire story, visit my website and blog!

http://sites.google.com/site/shalonsavm/
http://www.shalonavm.blogspot.com/

We found out about the AVM when I was 6 years old. I've had many embo's over the years and my AVM has continued to increase in size and has had unwanted complications like scary bleeding episodes, skin necrosis, and a pretty good level of pain which randomly comes and goes. I'm currently undergoing ethyl alcohol treatments with Dr. Yakes in Colorado. We travel out to Denver about every 4 weeks and have already had 18 embo's with him as of August 2009. Results are great so far and I can absolutely see and feel the progress we are making. I'm optomistic that he will be able to cure this!
Would you like to recommend a surgeon, therapist, or a hospital?
Dr Wayne Yakes at Swedish Medical in Englewood CO

http://www.vascularmalformationcenter.com/
Phone: (303) 788-4280

Shalon's Photos

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Shalon's Blog

Shalon

FEEL GOOD GOWNS!

It's official!!!





I'm finally up and in business. So for everyone that wants to be super fashionable and fabulous at the hospital, come see what we have!



I couldn't be more excited an

Continue

Posted on March 17, 2010 at 12:22am — 10 Comments

Shalon

Pretty in Pink!

Hello my lovely AVMers!



It's been a while since I've posted an update. I've still been making my monthly trips to Denver and feel like we are on the right course. Everything is going well so I've just been plugging along, staying busy and trying to live life to the fullest.

January was the easiest trip… Continue

Posted on January 24, 2010 at 1:32pm — 5 Comments

Shalon

Get Giving on the Gifts!!!

You all may have noticed some silly and fun "gifts" being given and received lately. So I thought I'd post a little note about them and why everyone should play! :)

First, it's fun!
Who doesn't like to get a gift???...even if it's only virtual! These silly little cartoons can brighten someones day, can be used to recognize something cool (like getting the "all clear!") or just for no reason at all. I mean really, who couldn't use a random cup of hot cocoa right now?!?!?

Second, it helps our co… Continue

Posted on January 8, 2010 at 2:44pm — 2 Comments

Shalon

I'm Famous!

Ok, well not really... but still I did get mentioned in a newspaper article. That counts right? :)

I spoke with a reporter, Nara Schoenberg, from the Chicago Tribune a few months back about my "glamour gowns." She was doing research about the growing trend of homemade hospital attire and happened across a post I made on some ladies blog a while ago. Totally random, but maybe I'm just destined for stardom!

I totally didn't even know it had run yet, and apparently the print version actually had… Continue

Posted on December 23, 2009 at 10:49am — 7 Comments

Shalon

The kindness of strangers...

People always ask how I stay so positive "looking" the way that I do. And you guys all know I don't care. I've looked different my whole life, have had great friends and family and a wonderful husband, and I'm confident despite this AVM. Plus I know I'm super cool! :)

But here is an example of exactly why I am positive, and why I continue to be confident in public and to smile and see the positive aspects of having an AVM...and yes, there ARE a few!

So last weekend I spent time at a little cra… Continue

Posted on October 26, 2009 at 12:43am — 13 Comments

Comment Wall (889 comments)

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At 12:11pm on March 18, 2010, Louisa Singh said…
It's the least I could do for someone who helped me so much when I needed it. ;) Hehe besides I'm going to buy one just as soon as I schedule my next endeavor with the NYC docs!
At 1:02pm on March 17, 2010, Marianne Callahan said…
Hi Shalon,

Oh I didn't see anything about a bar night. I'll have to check that out! :) Wow, cool I didn't know you had treatments here in SF. Thanks for the encouragement. Thanks, and I look forward to meeting you!
Marianne
At 1:25am on March 8, 2010, Kate Brennan said…
Hi Shalon, How are things with you? I had my follow up in December and things seem to be progressing but now they have discovered some haemorrhages behind my left eye so I am going to see an opthamologist now too. P.S. I don't have any relatives named Liam :O) P.P.S sorry it has taken so long to reply.
At 4:42pm on March 7, 2010, Shana said…
Shalon, thanks for the welcome! Yes, I am going to see Dr. Yakes next month. What a small world! My treatment is on the 8th as well! No, I've never had an embo before. I've heard great things about Dr. Yakes and his staff. The vascular surgeon who recommended him to me said Dr. Yakes was the best, and at first I thought, "Yeah right, he might be good, but surely he's not the best." I came home and started researching him and quickly realized that I was wrong, that he definitely is the best. So, I've had to fight my insurance company for several months to see him, but I refused to get sent to someone who only occasionally treated AVMs or someone who didn't offer a cure. Dr. Yakes' staff has already been so helpful and so nice and they worked really hard to make sure my insurance company would let me see them. Wow, #25?! So you're pretty much an expert embo patient :-) I will definitely let you know if I think of any questions. Thank you, and good luck to you too! Shana.
At 7:42am on February 11, 2010, Barbara Thomson said…
Once again, thank you......We will most definately keep everyone updated as to her progress, until then we can't thank you and the other members enough for all the thoughts, prayers and info.....
At 4:32pm on February 10, 2010, Barbara Thomson said…
Thanks Shalon for getting back to me. My daughter has made an appointment for Alivia with Dr. Waner in New York, so we will wait anxiously until the day comes to see him. I will keep you as well as all the AVM members in my prayers.
At 7:13am on February 10, 2010, Barbara Thomson said…
Dear Shalon, I am new to this site, my 3 year old grandaughter was just diagnosed with AVM of the left cheek. You have such a positive attitude that it makes my heart smile....At what age were you diagnosed? Are there any thoughts or suggestions on where we should go from here? I have had another member give us some contacts which I so appreciate but as I'm sure you know, we are frantic on finding out as much as we can. Thank you for any info you can give. You are an inspiration!
At 3:11pm on January 31, 2010, Ameenah said…
Thank you, I love my gift !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At 8:06pm on January 28, 2010, marianne elizondo said…
Hello Lovely Lady .
Did you read Chantelle yet ?
I hope the days are as good as they can be ...you always make them better .
Be good to you . Take care of you .
At 8:45am on January 26, 2010, Susan Troop (Lindsey's Mom) said…
Thank you so much for the gift!! Your gowns are sooo cute. I made two for Lindsey, but nothing like yours! I actually don't really know how to sew, but was able to figure out the easy pattern that I found. Even the silly one I made, got tons of compliments from the nurses, since it was soooo much cuter than the ones that they provide. It really did help her mood, and help her to be more comfortable.

Lindsey's recovery has been remarkable. She has no pain whatsoever, and isn't even sleeping a ton. You would hardly know she had surgery (except for the 25 stitches on her head, ha!) Her surgeon said she could go back to school next Monday, but we'll see about that. That's only 11 days post-op. Sounds crazy to me!

Again, thanks! You are such a beautiful person!
 
 

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