Hello everyone. I don't think that I have shared this experience with anyone on this website including my wonderful fellow moderators. I will try to be concise as I know that I tend to be verbose. Per my profile I had radiation on my 2nd AVM in mid July 2013. About a month later, I went to the movies with a friend and per my friend's pattern, we left after the credits. Well, as I descended the stairs, an employee was cleaning and I let go of the stair railing to let her pass. The paradox was that I forgot I have balance problems and fell landing on cement. In addition to some bruising on my right side, I suffered a gash on the right side of my head which was the only area of my skull not scarred by my AVM's. There was a lot of blood and I was transported by ambulance to the hospital. At least this time, I remembered the ambulance ride! My incredible husband (thank you, God, for him) was called and left his golf league to stay with me in the emergency department. The doctors placed a staple in my head which had to be removed at my regular doctor's office 6 days later. We spent about 3 hours in the E.D. and my husband transported me home about 9:00 p.m. Well, I was more cautious for several months after my fall but thanks to brain healing, I am not reckless now but I feel that if I should fall, I will get up again or I will recover. My anthem has become that tubthumping song with the lyrics including I get knocked down but I get up again.
Oh my! Thank God you weren't hurt in any way more serious than a good pump on your noggin. A fall like that can be dangerous for anyone.
It is a lesson for all of us of how quickly forget when it comes to our limitations. You're not alone in doing dumb stuff. I have balance and vertigo problems that I sometimes forget about. Till they remind that -- "Yes. We are still here" (ha ha).
I'm definitely encouraged by this, Susan - thank you.
Ann, thanks for taking the time to comment and I have long been a fan of you so I'm honored!
Ben, thanks for the comment and especially the last sentence ... lol back to you!
Susan!!! I am so sorry you fell! Oh my how scary, Thank God you are OK, take care friend!
Thanks so much, Susan - you made my day and beyond!! Also, I'm so glad to know that other people struggle with forgetting about deficits - it's instinctive to move out of the way like you did, or pick up a child in your family who is crying, etc. but it doesn't always end well for us!
Hi Lisa!! Thank you so much for the comment and I hope Rick and you are very well! Yes, I am grateful to God for all my blessings and I appreciate you thanking Him. Really, Lisa, I continue to feel well cognitively which helps me deal with the physical limitations. Yes, the fall was scary although my main concerns were for my friend, the theater staff, my son (he was called too and he came) and my husband. Thanks to God I recovered well and I can feel a lump on my scalp but again I know I am blessed!
That song with the lyrics "I get knocked down, but I get up again..." would be a good anthemn for all AVM survivors. Thanks for sharing!
Kim, thanks so much for the comment and yes that song plays in my head now so I'm so glad you mentioned it!
Thanks for sharing that story Susan. You story can certainly be helpful to others and being a "non-brainer," reading stories like this really help me to understand what happens to "brainers" post surgery, so thanks again.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Debra. I am so saddened by the news about Erik. I was just communicating with his mom yesterday since my son is only 1 year younger plus his name is Kyle Eric and I'm married to an Eric! Please read my reply above to Lisa for it was a scary experience. Oh, I appreciated your "brainer" comment.
Gee thanks Susan. Now that song will be playing in my head for days! :) I'm usually well aware of my limitations but sometimes I like to pretend they don't exist. That usually ends poorly! Glad you weren't more seriously hurt. Be careful out there!
Thanks for the reply, Trish and the lol comment about the song. Yes that song plays in my mind daily .... again lol!
I agree with Debra. You definitely gave some perspective for those of us with facial/extremity AVMs. You're a tough cookie Susan ;)
Thanks for the comment Jaz G. hmmmm ... tough cookie .... I love that!
since my embolization and craniotomy i've thought that a hit on the head would do me in. i'm really glad you're ok and glad you gave me hope! thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for the comment, avm@45!
Sound like you are a positive thinker, Susan?
As I well know, that is the one of the best ways to deal with some of the junk that all of us get in our lives here and there!
Good luck to your future, and may God be with you and your loving husband!
Lisa A. Stuckel
Hey Lisa, thanks for taking the time to comment and yes I try to have a positive attitude and you are one of my role models! Thanks for the final sentiment and I thank God for my husband every day!