After a routine MRI scan on my head due to tinnitus I was told that I had an unrelated AVM (abnormal tangle of blood vessels) on my brain.  I was referred to Wessex Neurological Centre and after a couple of discussions with the neurosurgeon (Professor Bulters), I elected to have surgery and remove the risks that came with leaving the AVM untreated. 

I’d made it to the age of 46 without ever having surgery
before, so the prospect of having brain surgery was daunting to say the least.  On 28^th February 2022 I underwent 8 hours of surgery and had an AVM resection. I eventually spent 3 days on the ward before coming home to start the recovery process.  During my stay the staff were amazing, not just with me but with all the other patients around me, they work tirelessly with patients who have critical and difficult conditions. 

After my discharge I was given the contact details for the neurovascular specialist nurses who I lent on heavily throughout the long recovery.

Almost a year has passed now, and thankfully the AVM has been (in the words of my neurosurgeon) obliterated and won’t return.  

I have made a full recovery, I am back to work and enjoying life again.

Over the last 12 months I’ve experienced the wonderful care, expertise and dedication of all the staff at the Wessex Neurological Centre and I wanted to give something back, so I’ll be taking part in FebBRAINairy and having my head shaved on the 24^th Feb 2023 to raise money for Smile4Wessex.

Smile4Wessex support the WNC by:

- Improving the quality of care and range of treatments
offered to patients of the WNC, or

- Improving the quality of facilities provided at the WNC
(for patients, staff and relatives), or

- Facilitating research into neurological conditions that
will have a direct bearing on patient care, or further the understanding of
such conditions and their future treatment.