Living With An AVM

This is how a stroke survivor walks uphill. Not fast. Not perfectly. But one step at a time. Every step is proof of how far I’ve come 🥹💗

Five years ago yesterday, I almost died 🧠

I went into cardiac arrest and was placed on a ventilator. There were moments when my future was uncertain, and my loved ones didn’t know what would happen next.

Five years later, I’m still here 🥹

The journey since then hasn’t been easy, and there have been challenges, setbacks, and lessons I never expected to face. But there has also been growth, resilience, gratitude, and a deeper appreciation for life.

Every day is a gift that I don’t take for granted.

I’m incredibly thankful for the medical teams who cared for me, the family and friends who stood by me, and everyone who has supported me along the way.

Five years later, my story is still being written, and I’m grateful for every chapter 💗

Five years ago, my life changed in an instant when I had a stroke caused by my AVM 🧠🥹

Today, I’m celebrating my 5-year alive-aversary!! Not just surviving, but continuing to rebuild, relearn, and live with purpose 💗

To celebrate, I made a cake with 5 things I’m especially grateful for:

1. Recovery from stroke
2. Living with an AVM
3. Relearning and rebuilding
4. Managing daily challenges
5. Choosing purpose over hardship

These past five years have stretched me in ways I never expected, but they’ve also shown me strength, resilience, gratitude, and perspective I may have never discovered otherwise.

Healing isn’t linear, and some days are still hard. But being here, alive, growing, adapting, and able to share my story, is something I’ll never take for granted.

Here’s to 5 years of fighting, healing, and choosing hope every single day ✨

🧠 As a stroke survivor, travel isn’t always easy. There are moments that challenge me physically, mentally, and emotionally. But experiences like this remind me how far I’ve come.

I’m so grateful to still be able to explore the world, push myself beyond my comfort zone, and create memories I once wasn’t sure I’d get to have. Every step, every flight, every new place feels like a victory ✨

Here’s to resilience, healing, and proving to yourself that life after stroke can still be full of adventure 💗🥹 And cheers to Esme & Kolin 🥳

post-stroke pool day with a claw clip 🧠💪🏼

Just got my second pair of shoes because I genuinely love them that much 👟✨ Comfort, support, and they actually keep up with my day. When I wear something this often, you know it’s good 🥳