HAPPY ALIVE-DAY! 🥳🧠

At 22 years old, I experienced a life-altering event when I suffered a stroke caused by my Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) on May 30th, 2021. The day it happened, I was at work at Verde Valley School, a routine day that quickly turned into a medical emergency. I had been accepted into the Sandra Day O’Connor Law School, so I had been getting ready to move to Phoenix. I had just returned from a Blood Pattern Analysis class that I had helped certify law enforcement and forensic personnel in L.A. So, I was at Verde Valley School with a horrible headache and I just didn’t feel good, a sensation that escalated until I blacked out. I was transported by helicopter to Barrow Neurological Institute, where I was under intensive medical care in the Neuro-ICU. The initial aftermath was a blur, a stark contrast to the normalcy I had known before the stroke. I had a Craniotomy (brain surgery) which got rid of 75%, then I had Gamma Knife to shrink the rest. Then, I was in inpatient rehabilitation at Barrow Neurological Institute for almost a month doing Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech Therapy like it was my job. When I was finished with that, I went into their Outpatient Rehab, which was a lot driving down to Phoenix every weekday - two hours down, two hours back up. I was in a wheelchair, with severe aphasia, which is the loss or mix-up of words. I was a hot mess.

The diagnosis of an AVM, a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain, was the cause of my stroke. There were three aneurysms within my thalamus, complicating the situation, and making the condition exceptionally dangerous. This vascular anomaly had likely been present since birth but remained undetected until I was 18. The doctors told me that there was nothing they could do, until I had a stroke. I didn’t have a stroke until May 30, 2021. The stroke's location in the thalamus, a vital part of the brain involved in sensory and motor signal relay, meant that the impact on my body was extensive and profound.

I came back up to Sedona because I missed my home, and here I found EntireCare Rehab and Sports Medicine. I started Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech Therapy became integral parts of my daily routine, spanning over two years, and I’m still even in OT! PT focused on restoring my physical strength and mobility, as the stroke had significantly impaired my motor functions, I started out in a wheelchair, up until I could walk. OT helped me relearn daily activities and regain independence, while Speech Therapy addressed the cognitive and communicative deficits caused by the stroke. Each session is a step towards recovery, though progress often felt slow and grueling. But, I know that every single day I’m getting better and better!

Looking back, the stroke was a pivotal moment that reshaped my life. The experience taught me resilience and the importance of perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity. The support from therapists, family, and friends played a crucial role in my recovery, providing motivation and encouragement during the toughest times. Today, while I continue to manage some residual effects of the stroke, I have made significant strides towards regaining my former capabilities. This journey has highlighted the unpredictability of life and the incredible strength that can be found within oneself when faced with unimaginable challenges. If you have ever had a stroke I have one thing to say to you: you are a warrior, we are warriors!