Hello everyone!
It has been a while since I have logged onto this forum, and I have been planning on updating you all of my progress. I haven't used a computer since the operation (until tonight) and I wasn't sure how my eyes would cope!
Before I go on about the surgery, I must thank all of you for your tremendous support. You were all so encouraging and supportive. This forum was/is my first port of call for anything AVM related - whether I had a question, an apprehension or just wanted to "be around" people who just "got it".
The removal of my Grade 3 (3.5cm) right occipital lobe AVM was in 2 parts. The first part was an embolisation which took about 3hours, and I felt very much normal after that.
The big operation was 2 days later and went very well. It took the doctors over 10 hours to do the operation. The concern was about my vision. My neurosurgeon said that there was a 50/50 chance that my left visual field would be affected completely (complete left hemianopia), which was very scary. That was the biggest fear for me.
After seeking support here, I realised that I would be able to live with some lost vision... but would not cope with a bleed if that was to happen!
The doctors visited me everyday in hospital and my neurosurgeon was so skeptical that my vision was intact. Apart from some blurriness, I could, most importantly, see to the left! Every time I told the doctor that I could see the left side of things, he did not trust me and he said "oh, we need to test that". I got a formal test and it showed that the vision was there, all within normal limits :)
After the operation, I was extremely drowsy and for a couple of days, I was not able to really interact properly. After 2-3 days, I was a little less drowsy and started walking around.
I got discharged after a week in hospital and I got a little stronger each day and a little more alert each day, and then it was all uphill from there.
Today is exactly 4 weeks since the big operation. Although I still need to nap during the day (I feel like a little baby), I am feeling much more alert now.
My vision is still not 100%, but it is so minor, that I can certainly live with that. It is the finer detail to the left, especially when reading, that it gets a bit blurry. I was reading the label on a tray of sausages at the supermarket, and I had to stare at it for so long before I realised that the price was $8.38. I thought the tag said $38.38. I was outraged at how expensive these sausages were!!
The back of my head is still swollen. I am hoping that once the swelling subsides, the vision will be better. Other than that, I am completely back to normal. I am fully mobile, independent and feel great.
I feel so lucky and blessed that everything turned out so well. If you are reading this and are thinking of treatment options, I just hope and pray that you have the best outcome possible.
I am attaching a picture of my 32 stitches :)
Kate :)
