Andrea made me a doctors appointment with my primary care physician . He sent me for a CT scan and prescribed some pain killers that had little to no affect. The CT scan didn't show anything and then I was scheduled to see a neurologist.

I went to the neurologist who at that time examined me and thought that I might be having migraine headaches. He then prescribed a stronger pain medicine and made an appointment for an MRI.

I felt something was not right when the radiologist said that the doctor would get back to me soon. I finally knew something was really wrong when a doctor calls you at 10:00am on Saturday morning. The doctor explained that I had AVM and would I like to go to Boston or NYC to see a neurosurgeon surgeon. I have family near New York City so I chose there.

At this time I would like to thank them for their help and support. Ron, Linda, Jeff, Tim, Gloria, Christina, Kim, and Charlie. I also received help from my coworkers, and two special people Eileen and Dave. Also I would like to thank my wife and kids for there patience and support. I cannot express my thanks enough.

The doctor in NYC was at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital who gave me an appointment for the following Monday. The doctor explained what AVM was, because who had known what it was. Who thought three letters could change ones whole life. The doctor explained treatment was either radiosurgery or a three part surgery. Since my AVM was 3.5 cm a little large them average size I chose the 3 part surgery. The first two parts were an angiogram, followed by an embolization both on March 9th and the third part was craniotomy which was performed on March 11th. Everyone at the hospital were very helpful and kind. I came through both surgeries in pretty good shape I lost my stuttering but gained a slight slur in my speech due to a stroke during the first part of the surgery. I also lost some fine motor skills of my right arm and hand.

I thanked everyone and was on my way to what I thought was a quick recovery and back to work which was very important to me.

After a few weeks home my arm and hand were almost back to normal and my speech was back to normal. I was given Dilantin for an Anti -seizure medicine. New problems began to show then. I could not sleep, I would get 1-3 hours of sleep a day. I began to work my self in the yard and walking the neighborhood to near exhaustion but it did not help. All this did was put me on the couch for the following 3 days and still no sleep. Sitting on the couch 18 hours a day became depressing. It is not as if I had nothing to do, I did not want to do anything. I did not keep up with correspondence on the computer, I did not continue to do my home study course, I did not want to get off the couch.

I became very aggressive towards everything. The doctor then prescribed sleeping pills. I went through three different kinds and none worked. He then changed the Dilantin to Tegritol hoping that the mood swings were due to the Dilantin.

It is now Sept 99 and Tegritol seems to be helping. I go to a psychologist and an occupational therapist. This is good it allows me to talk to someone about the way I feel. So they tell me as it is. Thanks Mike. I saw the vocational therapist who works for the state as a go between company and returning employees. They are going to help me get back to work since its been awhile that I've been out of work. He thought that in a couple of weeks and we might be able to give work a try. At that point I was put on Paxil to help with the mood swings and depression.

I was so happy that I might be getting some where finally. It has been hard because what do you judge the process by when you have a mental problem not a physical problem. Just as the thought of getting back to work seem enough progress for the time being. The bottom dropped out on Saturday, September, 25, 1999. The family did the Friday night thing high school football and dinner afterwards. When leaving the restaurant I became dizzy. I didn't think any thing of it so when I got home I went to bed. I got up at about a.m. went downstairs when I put the light on I felt as if something hit me on the head the headache was so bad. This was the first headache I had since the surgery. I figured that I would give it a couple days before taking any action. By Tuesday it had only gotten worse Andrea called the doctor and he had me admitted right away. The following morning after a CTscan that did not show anything he took me off the Paxil. Hopeful that the headache was from a reaction to the Paxil. The doctor also ordered a MRI/MIA and a spinal tap. These tests came back negative and at that time the headache had let up a little the light and noise sensitivity had lessened. So Friday I go home from the hospital with some pain killers and stayed in bed most of the day. Saturday morning I got up and two things happened I got this pain through my head like I was shot and began to uncontrollably vomit. Back to the hospital I go. The doctor then ordered an angiogram. The angiogram showed that the AVM was fine and that the doctors did an excellent job of removing it. That was a big relief but we were still confused to where to headache was coming from. Dr. Brooks then had a blood patch done where the spinal tap was performed. Wondering if the shooting pains and the vomiting were due to the spinal tap. It was like magic 20 minutes later no headache.

Now we need to find a replacement for the Paxil that will work just as good or better then it did but have no side effects. I am anticipating that day so that I can return back to work shortly . I look forward to that day when my life is back to normal. I will update this as it needs.

Any comments or questions feel free to email and I will respond to you as soon as possible.

Email Lawrence