MY AVM WAS DIAGNOSED AFTER I HAD 2 GRAND MAL SEIZURES IN 1997. I WAS LIVING IN PENSACOLA, FL AT THE TIME AND MY HUSBAND WORKS OFFSHORE IN LOUISIANA IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. I FOUND OUT THAT MY AVM WAS 3.5 CM X 44 MM AND I HAD TO GO AND GET RADIOSURGERY IN GAINESVILLE IMMEDIATELY. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE AVM GOT BIGGER, THEY COULDN'T RADIATE IT AND IT COULD BLEED. IT WAS INOPERABLE, IN THE LEFT FRONTAL LOBE IN BETWEEN THE INSIDE LEFT CORNER OF MY EYE AND THE TOP OF MY NOSE. I HAD TO WEAR THE HALO FOR 11 HOURS AND I WAS THE LAST PATIENT OF THE DAY. THAT THING HURT FOR EVEN A MONTH AFTERWARD. I HAD 37 ARCS OF RADIATION AND WAS TOLD I COULD NEVER HAVE IT AGAIN. DON'T TAKE ASPIRIN, BLOOD THINNERS OR ANY DIET PRODUCTS THAT CONTAINE ASPARTAME IN THEM. I STILL HAD ABOUT 30 GRAND MAL SEIZURES EVEN WHILE TAKING MEDICINE. FINALLY, 2 MEDICINES I TAKE ARE DEPAKOTE AND PHENOBARBITAL. I HAVEN'T HAD A SEIZURE SINCE 1999 AND FOR THAT I AM GRATEFUL. I STILL HAVE THE AVM BUT IT HAS SHRUNK DOWN TO THE SIZE OF A PEA. THANKS FOR LISTENING, SHERRIE KELLY

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