I’ve been meaning to post, but I didn’t know how busy and tired I would be preparing for my surgery this Thursday (March 29).  

I was discharged from the hospital a few days later after convincing my doctors to go home and assure them that I would be well taken care of. When I was discharged home I was in no control of my body. I couldn’t walk, I loss fine motor function of my right hand (I’m right handed), I had nerve damage on my entire left side of my body (even to this day), I had/have hearing loss on my left ear, ptosis (drooping of upper eyelid)  of my left eye, I also have some drooping on the left half of my mouth, and minor memory loss. Shortly after I was discharged it was Christmas and I got to spend it at home with my family. When I came home it wasn’t easy, I was fully dependent on my family, mainly my mom and sisters. It was difficult because I am a very private person. They helped me get dressed, shower, shave when needed, use the restroom, get into and out of bed, eat, and were assisting me with all activities of daily living. With my inability to care for myself I had to re-learn how to be independent again. I started Physical therapy in the beginning of 2017 twice a week. I continued with my PT for roughly two months with the main focus on regaining my ability to walk. After some slow progress, I progressed from being restricted to my wheelchair, to a walker and finally walking on my own. Early March 2017 I had an appointment with my neurologist/ surgeon to see the progress I had made since surgery.

When I met with my neurologist I was able to walk on my own with an unsteady gait. I had regained most, but not all fine motor functions of my right hand. I still had issues with my hearing and nerve pain, from the nerve damage that occurred from my stroke. I was prescribed Gabapentin to ease the nerve pain and hopefully help me sleep at night. I was then scheduled for a MRI for May 2017. My neurologist wanted me to continue healing a little longer before the MRI so that they were able to notice if my stroke affected the outcome they were hoping from my embolization. After my appointment my neurologist was hesitant to discharge me back to work. It wasn’t until the last week of March that I convinced her that I was ready and prepared to resume work and slowly start reliving my life. I was released to return to work part-time.  I resumed to work a year ago on March 31st, three days a week. I continued with my PT on Mondays and Fridays to continue with my progression. I was slowly but surely getting back into the groove of my life, of course a little harder than before, but some type of normalcy was all I needed.

Before I realized it, it was May and it was time for me to go in and have my MRI done. I would have my MRI and a week later an appointment with my neurologist to read the results. I am not going to lie I had a bad feeling that my MRI would show some sort or problem, I was bracing myself and just preparing. The day of my appointment my neurologist  went in and happily said that the results of my MRI came back with no new signs of bleeding or damage and that the embolization had not been affected by my stroke. She was very happy with the outcome as was I. My doctor had told me that she wanted to give me a break from tests and appointments for a while so I had a follow-up scheduled to see my progression for my birthday in November 14, 2017. When I left that appointment I was relieved and so happy I knew that the struggled I was overcoming and been faced with were all worth it for that moment.

For the next 6 months I worried about nothing other than my continued healing, my job, family and returning back to school. I celebrated my 7 year anniversary with my boyfriend in July. I registered for classes and started back at school at the end of August. Sure, not everything went smoothly I had some obstacles that I continue to deal with to this day.  My nerve damage hasn’t really ever gotten better I’ve had to learn to deal with the discomfort since the Gabapentin caused to many side effects for me. My fine motor skills, though they progressed were not as rapid as they were originally so writing quick notes during class was tough but I managed. Walking to and from classes was I think the hardest challenge of all, maneuvering up stairs, through crowded hallways and on top of it all lugging heavy books was not easy. Before the semester was over on my birthday I met with my neurologist as scheduled earlier that May. She was happy with the my healing and my ease back into my normal life before my diagnosis. The visit was good. She scheduled another angiogram for early January 2018 after the holidays, just to assure with more detail that my AVM had not grown and there was no change as seen through my MRI results earlier that year in May. The semester ended and I was overjoyed with how I it turned out despite all my struggles, I was proud of myself! The holidays came and went and before I knew it I was embarking on a new year, 2018.

As soon as the new year began I had to brace myself for yet another angiogram. This time I didn’t have much nerves. I knew the procedure and was very confident that I would be okay since I had such great healing and MRI results. I was not worried at all. I waited the weekend for my neuro appointment that  upcoming Tuesday. The appointment would tell me the results of the angiogram. That Tuesday I was planning to go in for my appointment that was scheduled early that morning and then go into work right after, but things don’t always go as planned.

My mom and oldest sister went with me to my appointment since we work and carpool together. We arrived on time and went in to wait for my neurologist to come in and read the results. She was oddly taking a longer time than usual, but I figured she was just busy that morning and attempted to wait patiently for her to come. When she finally came in I just felt it, something wasn’t right. She walked and swiftly said “ So i’m going to show you all previous images of your AVM up until now, then we’ll talk about what are next move will be”. That was it hearing that “ what are next move will be” I knew something was definitely wrong. I think I only caught it because my sister and mom showed no reaction. She continued to pull up the image from when I was first diagnosed with my AVM before any treatment was done. The she showed the image of when it was completely gone after my embolization. Lastly she pulled up the images of the most recent time and it was back. It was like nothing had ever been done about it. It was grown back to it’s original size and is still growing. Seeing the images my heart dropped, I had a knot in my throat and suddenly everything around me went silently. I was trying my hardest to keep it together, but I couldn’t. My world shattered yet again. My neurologist told me this time I had treatment options again. The first option the called it the “conventional method” where I do nothing but monitor my AVM closely for growth but run the risk of it rupuring yet again. This time around a rupture would be more dangerous than the first and would probably result in emergency surgery which she informed is never a promising option. My second option  was radiation of the AVM, the risk with this option is the location of my AVM is close to my brain stem. So radiation would be targeting the AVM but may affect the surrounding area which would be to dangerous and high risk since it is so close to the brain stem. Lastly, was surgery a craniotomy to be exact, the risk like any is damage to the brain stem that can affect a multitude of things, excessive bleeding or the thing we don’t like to see is a risk death. These results were very unexpected, I was blindsided to say the least so my neurologist gave me time to digest what I was just told and think about the treatment options available, I had a follow up to inform her of my decision on February 20th. If you didn’t already know I made the decision to go ahead with the craniotomy, and it was quickly scheduled for March 29, 2018 at 8:15 AM.

My brain surgery will take about 12 hours. I will have a angiogram completed during my surgery so that my neurologist can assure the remove the entire AVM. I am expected to spend 3 day in the neuro ICU and 4 days in a regular recovery area. I will have my head shaved on the right side behind my ear. I will have an incision made from the top of my ear curving into the top of my neck. I am expected to have some swelling of the face, hearing loss, vision issues and body soreness. My doctor assured that my vision, hearing and face will go back to normal after a few days.

So that leads me to now. My family and boyfriend are AMAZING we had pre-Easter this past weekend since I will be in the hospital so I can enjoy it with everyone, especially my god daughter. They have assured that I’m okay and feeling good, they are my everything and I am so grateful for them all. Now, I am a day away from brain surgery.  I’ve heard all the comforting word. But despite trying to stay positive a little bit of doubt always make its way through and that’s the scariest part. The not knowing and the uncertainty of it all. The prayers and well wishes ease my mind and bring me comfort, so thank you!

While I am recovering my sister Gabby, or my boyfriend Joseph will be updating you all on the status of my recovery. Stay tuned because there is more to come and keep the good vibes, well wishes and prayers coming my way. My family and I sure do need them.

I’ve been meaning to update my blog, but this particular post is the hardest for me. It’s the moment everything changed, I changed, and my way of life changed. I had been through tough and scary moments, but nothing compared to this moment.

Once my embolization was set it felt as like time had just flown by.  I prepared the best I could, but there wasn’t really anything drastic that had been done. I was informed that I would have my surgery, with no foreseeable complications, but the doctors had a plan should they occur. I was supposed to have my surgery on December 14th, be evaluated the following morning and if everything went as planned I would discharge the day after surgery. I would take about a week to recover and should be able to go back to work by the end of the month or early the new year. That was the plan and that is what I set my mind to.  That was the next step to resuming the life I had to abruptly stop. After I would finally be able to put everything behind me and restart with no interruptions.

The night before my embolization was not easy. I had the nerves of a kid starting a new school and not knowing what to expect. I was that kid in the dark not knowing what to expect but trying to stay positive. Even though I knew I had to have my surgery and was comforted with the knowledge of a good outcome. I feared the “what ifs”.  That last night before the embolization I was with my boyfriend. We were eating, or trying to at least, since I had only until 10pm that night to consume any food. It hit me, the knot in my throat, the sinking of my heart and the trembling in my voice. I looked at him and I couldn’t be the brave person I tried so hard to be. I broke down. I was terrified and no words could comfort me. I never felt such hurt I knew it was long overdue and it needed to be done. I shared my fears and sadness with him. He is my rock and he knew just how to act and respond to bring me ease yet again. Saying goodnight was the hardest. I would see him after my surgery and those “ what if’s” creeped into my mind for a split second, but I did what I knew would be comforting to us both and that’s being brave. I reassured him I’ll see him soon and that everything will be okay, I will be better soon. We said are final goodbyes for the night. That night I tried to sleep but I couldn’t, and I knew my little sister was the same way. So we stayed up later than we should’ve but I never regretted it, she distracted me for that short period of time and made me forget about the reality that was to follow in the morning.

December 14th I woke up early. I got dressed and my things in order before I was to leave to the hospital. My aunt was driving me to the hospital that morning along with my mom and little sister. It was finally time to leave and I had to say my goodbyes to my dad, and 2 younger brothers. I hugged each of them so tight, kissed them on the cheek and got watery eyes in the process. I didn’t know when it was enough so I hugged them twice, each time not wanting to let go, but knew I had to. I said, “see you soon” and I got in the car and left.

Once I arrived at the hospital I was taken to the surgery prep room. There I changed into my gown and hospital socks and my nurse set up my IV. I still had my family that drove me to ease my nerves. I didn’t have to wait much until the anesthesiologist came in to introduce himself and explain what he would be doing and be in charge of monitoring during my surgery. At that moment he told me, “I think we’re ready now, so say your goodbyes and we can get started“. I quickly turned to the side of my hospital bed, where my mom, sister and aunt had been standing. I hugged my aunt first, then my little sister lastly my mom did the sign of the cross , hugged me and said she would see me after. I began to cry silently, scared more than I ever had been.

Everything was a blur after that, I was put to sleep. I woke briefly twice after my surgery, both times not opening my eyes fully and not coherent to know what was going on. The first time I woke I just saw the hospital ceiling and the bright light blinding me, I didn’t know where I was and quickly fell back to sleep. The second time I remember a nurse trying to wake me. I didn’t open my eyes fully but could see the silhouettes of my mom and oldest sister and hear their voices. I distinctly remember my mom asking how I felt, I told her my head hurt so bad and I was so sleepy I couldn’t stay awake. My sister told me just rest, that she was going home and would see me soon. I faintly remember anything more. After that I fell asleep again. Other than this two brief moments I slept the entire day of my surgery. I was told I would be sleepy, and that sleep is part of the healing process that it would be normal.

The next day I was awaken by my nurse, and everything felt odd . I had blurred vision, my right eye felt swollen, my face felt heavy on the right side, I heard a buzzing sound on my left ear and was trembling throughout my entire body. I immediately knew something wasn’t right. My mom was in the room with me when I woke up. She looked at me as if everything was normal she stayed very calm and comforting. Shortly after a Physical Therapist came in to walk me and decide if I was able to go home as planned. That moment the PT helped me to the edge of my bed and directed me to stand. My mind was telling my body to stand but by legs weren’t responding. The PT then tried to assist me to stand and that’s when my legs didn’t respond, they were like noodles wobbly and I couldn’t get my body to react and stand on its own. The PT said that was all for the day since it was to dangerous for me and her to try any further. I laid back down in my bed, in shock I didn’t know what was wrong, what had happened and why I couldn’t stand.

Later that day I was told I wasn’t going to be discharged home. They discovered I had a massive stroke the overnight, a stroke so large my doctors were surprised I survived it. The surgery was supposed to go smoothly without complications, this was not suppose to happen. I was told that there was a 1 in a million chance of a stroke happening. I couldn’t believe this was happening, I was tired of being the “rare” one.  That’s when I felt my heart shattering and everything falling apart again.

You know the unfortunate thing we all have in common?

Is our ability to over see just how appreciative we are for what we have. It seems when we get disappointing news, or something bad happens and we are faced with the realization that it can all be taken away. We appreciate it a little more than usually.

After my rupture I found this to be true. Before my hemorrhage, though it was never my intention to do so, I would be so consumed in what I needed, wanted  and had to get done. I realized that it was time to just be in the moment. Even though we hear it all the time, we truly just need to enjoy the moment before it passes us by. I was home but I knew I was far from healed. Good news is even though my injury was very dangerous, it could have turned out worse than it had. My neurologist determined that we could go a few weeks before my next test, she wanted to see how my AVM will change during that time. I had to get another Angiogram ( this would be my 2nd) in early November, so my neurologist can decide on the best approach for my situation. Until then she advised to be aware of any changes, but don’t dwell on my injury. So I did!

Before I knew it, the month of October was coming to an end. You know what that means, it was Halloween! I’m not a big fan of Halloween since I get scared of just about everything and anything. I rarely ever dress up but that year my younger sister, Nadia ( who’s a big Halloween fan) and I decided to do something simple. The mutual thing we had in our closet was a leopard print sweater. So it was decided. We did our attempt of a leopard face makeup. Put on our leopard print sweaters and just like that we did our best attempt of a leopard costume. Both of us, along with my little brother spent Halloween passing out candy to trick or treaters.

November was a pretty busy month for me. On the 3rd is my oldest sisters birthday, my birthday is on the 14th, Thanksgiving and also my Angiogram appointment. The month started out with my sister Gabbys, birthday celebration. On the 9th I had my angiogram procedure. This time around I knew what to expect. Since my first procedure was painful I was nervous! My angiogram was a quick in and out the  procedure took about an hour. I had to remain lying down flat for 3hrs to avoid bleeding. Once they determined I was stable, I was discharged home. The days after my procedure were the worst. I didn’t have my appointment to read the results of my angiogram until the 29th. My birthday followed shortly after, and my family surprised me with a little party. After my birthday past my family was focused on Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday), making sure we had our menu prepped.

That Friday on the 18th I got a call from my neurologist office. They informed me that my neurologist wanted to push my appointment sooner. It was rescheduled for that upcoming Tuesday 22nd ( FYI my Neuro doctor only has appointments at her office on Tuesdays) so my appointment was moved forward a week. I was anxious for my appointment.  A million thoughts rushed through my mind as to why she would want to see me sooner. What did she find and what was next to come? On the 22nd my mom and I arrived for my appointment. Even though my mom tries to keep her cool I could tell she was just as nervous as I was. Finally my doctor came in. She pulled up the images from the angiogram; we reviewed them and she showed where the hemorrhage occurred, where exactly the AVM was and how big it was. She then proceeded to tell me my options in moving forward with treatment. She told me there was 3 options. 1. Radiation of the AVM, where results are not immediate. 2. A craniotomy, invasive surgery. 3. Non invasive brain surgery, otherwise referred to as embolization. She recommended the embolization since it’s not as invasive as a craniotomy. The embolization was similar to an angiogram. They would go in through the right groin with a catheter that will be placed in an artery that is directly feeding the AVM. Once in the artery they will inject a glue like substance called Onyx to block any feed into the AVM. My neurologist explained that this treatment could or could not be 100% effective in curing the AVM. Like any of the treatments there were possible side effects. My neurologist explained that my age helped a lot in how this surgery would be successful. Everything was in my favor. She said it was very unlikely, only a 1 in a million can experience some side effects that included stroke like symptoms, a possible stroke or death.

I felt confident in my chances and made the decision to have the embolization. My embolization was then scheduled for December 14, 2016.

(Scroll below for a few pics from Thanskgiving 2016)

After being in the ICU for close to a week I was beginning to lose my patience. Being woken up throughout all hours of the night, being poked for labs, and taking a multitude of pills with a horrible aftertaste, though all for good reasons, was very tiring. I felt like I would be better off at home, in my own pj’s, own bed and I would be able to take a proper shower! I didn’t think to much when I was being discharged from the hospital, other than I can’t wait to be home. Before I was discharged I had to walk the ICU department as one of the criteria that is needed for discharge. Mind you, I had been in bed for practically my entire hospital stay, sure I would rotate from the chair in my room and my bed, but mainly just my bed. I never expected that when I got up for the first time I would be as weak as I felt. I was told I wouldn’t feel the aftermath of a long hospital stay until discharge and they were right. Regardless of how I felt I did what I needed and was quickly told I could be discharged. Once I was told I would be discharged as soon as I got dressed, my mom helped me change out of my gown and into some clean clothes. I was given my discharge instructions where I was informed I might or might not have continued headaches that can either last a few days, weeks or even months until my AVM was treated. There was just no way of knowing. I was also told not to be left alone, start a high sodium diet to help relax my blood vessels, I was restricted to take any NSAID. For pain I was only allowed to take Tylenol.  I was also unable to fly, ride roller coasters, and was instructed to avoid any injury to my head. These instruction were simple enough and I felt like myself again. I was finally wheeled out of the hospital and I had never been so appreciative for outdoors as I was in that moment. I felt the warmth of the sun hit my body, the fresh wind blowing, and heard the sound of cars driving. I felt alive.

On the way home I was taken on a detour to church. My mom had promised San Martin de Porres that if/ when I was sent home she would take me to visit him. I lit him a candle as a thank you for keeping me safe throughout my hospital stay. After my visit, I was finally on my way home! Once I arrived home, my brothers had been there waiting for my arrival. I was so happy to be back in my comfort zone, I had missed it! The first thing I wanted to do was finally shower and feel clean. I was very weak when I got home, that it was a hard task to even shower.

When I finished I began settling in. That day was filled with family that went to visit me at home. Visits at home are always better than hospital visits. I saw my cousins and goddaughter I was unable to see in the hospital due to them not being allowed in ICU. Sure I was able to see them through FaceTime but it’s never the same. As the night began to end I was exhausted. I didn’t understand why I hadn’t really done anything but sit. At that point I started to feel a minor headache begin. My mom told me I was just exhausted, that I had probably over exerted myself to go and rest. Unfortunately, the pain of my headache increased and rapidly. I took the only medication I was allowed to take, Tylenol. Let me just say with that type of headache, it didn’t really help at all. I hadn’t felt like this my entire stay at the hospital and quickly remembered I was being medicated for this type of pain. That first night home was not what I thought, it was tough. The pain of the headache kept me awake throughout the night, until I became so exhausted I fell asleep. My headaches continued for the next few days. I couldn’t sustain the pain any longer. I went to see my PCP (Primary Care Physician) who I’d hope can help in some way with my pain. He told me that I was unable to take any other medication other than Tylenol. He told me that it may be a sore muscle that’s contributing to my headache. He recommended me to try a topical pain relieving gel, Salonpas. I was willing to try anything to relieve me of pain. As soon as we left my appointment we went to the store to grab it. The gel did help relieve pain, but only for a short period of time. With all that had happened I was beginning to not feel like myself, and I think my family noticed. That weekend was October 1st,  and my mom thought I needed what she called a little makeover. That day my pain was tolerable, so me, my mom, sister and boyfriend went to do just that. I kept it simple I cut my hair short and finally had two eyebrows. But a day of pampering did help, I finally focused on something other than my current situation.

Hermanas

Antes…

Despues!

My headaches were consistent for a long 2 weeks. I did what I could to ease the pain. I tied a bandana around my head for pressure, I used a heating pad, an ice pack and took Tylenol. Finally I had a day then two and before I realized I had gone a week without any headaches. Without any headaches, I didn’t feel any different than before my injury. I was myself again.

Once it was known that my symptoms were the result of the hemorrhage in my brain it was time to discover what had caused the brain bleed in the first place. I was placed in the ICU and kept comfortable on Decadron medication. My first night at the hospital I spent it alone, my choice. I was advised by my nurse that it would be best for my family to go home and rest so that they were well rested the next day. There was nothing they can do for me at the hospital and I was in good hands. As the night was ending my family, who had arrived at the hospital earlier that day, made their way into my room to say their goodbyes. My parents were the last to stop into my room and asked again if I was okay staying alone, I reassured them it was better this way. They kissed my head and said their goodbyes as well, they assured me they would be there the following morning bright and early. I watched as they walked out my room and saw them disappear into the hallway. I was left there in my room alone, the lights off and the sound of the heart monitor beeping; I looked up at the ceiling and felt tears fall from my eyes. I was scared, scared of what they would find and the unknown. I knew I had to be brave I needed to be strong for myself and my loved ones. That morning I was woken at 5AM by my nurse  who needed to take blood for labs that were to be done that day. I quickly fell back to sleep, but soon woke up again only this time I saw my dads face. That morning the doctor came into my room and informed that I was going to be taken to have an Angiogram. An Angiogram is when a catheter is placed in your groin and threaded to blood vessels that lead to your carotid artery ( the vessel in the neck that carries blood to the brain). A contrast dye is sent through the catheter and X-rays are taken of the vessels in the brain. This procedure helps doctors find any blockages or abnormalities in the brain. After my procedure we waited for the results, but never heard any news from any of the doctors. We were told that the doctor will be in the following morning with my results. That night my youngest sister stayed the night with me, I felt comfort with her presence there.

My 3rd day in ICU was my boyfriends birthday, and it was not the way we ever envisioned spending it. That day I received the results of my angiogram, they were able to identify where the rupture had occurred, but unfortunately they were unable to treat me there. I was told that plans were in the works to have me transported to UCI Medical Center where I would be seen and treated by a neurosurgeon that has dealt with this type of injury. The doctors were only able to answer a few questions but nothing with certainty since it was not their expertise. That night my youngest sister decided to stay the night with me again ( we share a room, so when one is missing it doesn’t feel right). My boyfriend arrived later than he wanted and he was my last visitor. It was already kind of late, but no birthday is complete without singing the “ Happy Birthday” song. So very quietly me and my sister sang him happy birthday, I saw his eyes glass over but I smiled and told him I was glad to spend yet another birthday with him. He had work the following morning but he hugged me tight and said his goodbyes.

Roomies even in ICU

Birthday in the hospital

Birthday goodbye

My 4th day in ICU I was waiting to be transported to UCI. I was kept comfortable and every hour I had neuro checks to assure that there was no change in condition. After I had eaten dinner, I was told the ambulance had arrived that would be transporting me. My heart started racing and I was extremely nervous for my transport. I had gotten so used to where I was, and UCI is farther from home for me. My transport went smoothly, I had arrived at UCI late that night and was prepped for bed. I was unable to have any water or food once I arrived since I was told I would have a MRI the following day, but the nurse informed she was unaware of the time. That night my dad stayed with me, I was exhausted and fell asleep. The next day I woke and had my dad to keep me company and eased my nerves. That afternoon I had my MRI done. As soon as my MRI was completed I was finally able to eat! That evening I met with a neurologist who brought some ease to us all. They informed me though it was unlikely that someone as young as me had this happen, it was not as uncommon diagnosis.  They diagnosed me with a Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM). My AVM is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels that disrupts the normal blood flow to the surrounding brain tissue. The abnormal blood flow weakened the blood vessel walls which caused a hemorrhage in my brain. This caused my pressure headache, nausea and sensitivity to light at onset. Having a diagnosis brought ease to me. Knowing there was treatment options is all I could have hoped for.

On my 6th day in the ICU I was told that I would be able to be discharged home, with some restrictions. So after 6 days in the ICU and 2 different hospitals, I finally was discharged home.

My mane is out of control!

Okay, it’s controlled!

ICU selfie!

So let me start from the beginning. At the end of 2015 during the holiday season I had gifted my boyfriend a whole year of pre- planned dates for us to do every month of the upcoming year. We are both college students with full time jobs and though we make time to see each other I wanted to make it fun to go out and just be together. That year ended great; my oldest sister had welcomed my adorable niece Harper,  I had worked extremely hard at community college to finally be accepted into a university, being the first in my family this was my greatest accomplishment thus far. Though that year was great every New Years my family and I write down our goals we are working towards accomplishing in the upcoming year. I had a great 2015 but I knew I was not close to where I wanted to be, it all happens with time so I wrote down my goals and had yet another plan for the upcoming year. Fast forward to 2016  and that year had brought a lot of first for me. Early in the year I had officially became the godmother of my beautiful niece. I had also been working towards getting my own car since I was going to begin school that  fall semester. I worked hard and finally did it. I had celebrated my 6th year anniversary with my boyfriend that July and we had actually been keeping up with our year of dates. Everything was falling into place and going as planned, life couldn’t be better; yes I had some struggles in between but all in all I was happy. That August I finally started school. My boyfriend as well surprised me by winning tickets on the radio ( yeah I know what luck right!) to Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas that upcoming September. I am a huge country music fan and all my favorites were on the line up that year. Even though I wanted to see all the artist, I was most excited for my favorite country artist Luke Bryan. Me and my boyfriend worked together and we booked our hotel, started slowly saving and planning our entire time at the festival that weekend. It was finally September, and that happens to be my boyfriends birthday month and his birthday was a week before we would be in Vegas for the festival, so we hadn’t really celebrated since we were planning to celebrate that weekend.  The month was flying by I was busy with work, school and I was so excited for the festival, until the unexpected happen.

September 21st started out as any Wednesday did, I had class the night before and woke up early that morning to head out to work. I am so lucky to work with my mom and oldest sister, so as usual on days I didn’t have class and didn’t have to leave early we carpooled together to work. I was working my department alone that day and we had arrived earlier than most days. We said our see you at lunch and went our separate ways to our designated areas to begin our work day. I felt normal until suddenly I had an onset headache, I’ve gotten headaches before ( who hasn’t right?) so I took Advil and tried to continue with my morning. I had an internal feeling that something was wrong the pain I felt escalated quickly  and I rushed to my mom and told her “ I don’t feel good I don’t know what’s wrong I have a horrible headache but it doesn’t feel normal I feel like my head is going to explode”. Ironically me and my boss had been talking about her experience with family members who’ve had a brain aneurysm rupture and working for a home health agency and having patients with medical accidents all day long, I panicked quickly. My mom said let’s go to the emergency room if you don’t feel good, at first I said I can’t I was in charge of my department that day and couldn’t leave, but that quickly changed. With the increase pressure I felt in my head, I agreed and we left. We were on our way to the hospital and the pain continued escalate. I became sensitive to the light, nauseous, I began shaking and my head felt like it was about to explode. I literally wanted to just remove my head with the amount of pressure and pain I felt. The ride to the emergency room felt longer than it truly was. Upon arrival they took me in quickly and started asking questions about my medical history. I was then taken for a CAT scan.  After I was moved to a patient holding room they gave me medication to ease the pain. It wasn’t long until the doctor came over to me, my mom was present, and he uttered the scariest words I’ve heard, “ We did a CAT scan we saw you have a brain bleed and we aren’t sure the source we need to run a few more test to know what’s happening”. I quickly looked to my mom and though she tried to put a brave face I saw the sheer fear overtake her face. The doctor left and she looked at me and said your going to be okay I’m going to call your dad and sister and let them know what’s happening, she left and I immediately began to cry. I was scared I didn’t know what was happening or what would happen. From that moment on everything changed.