I found Stephanie's story when I was depressed, in pain, and feeling rather hopeless in my long term management of this AVM.  In the years of searching online I had never found anyone who's story so closely resembled mine.  Sure there are many differences but when I read this, I thought "That could be me.  That could by my story.  It's like reading my own biography from a very similar viewpoint."  I immediately emailed her and we have been in close contact since!  Lucky for me, Stephanie still lives in the Denver area and I am fortunate to see her (normally over some form of dessert!) each trip I make out there for treatment.

 

She really was the inspiration to get me moving and looking at this "cure" instead of just accepting a life of deterioration.  So I will always look at Stephanie as my hero and my inspiration.

 

Steph's story can be read here.