Help Tori Recover from AVM Brain Bleed & Surgery

On Sunday, September 19, 2021, Tori was celebrating her son's birthday with friends and family at a trampoline park when she suddenly had a massive headache. She couldn't control the right side of her body, couldn't say anything correctly and was frightened because she had no way to communicate. Thankfully, 911 was called and an ambulance took her to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center who then immediately sent her to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. They did a CT scan where they discovered a hemorrhage on the left side of her brain caused by an undiagnosed Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM). An AVM is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain. This abnormal connection can cause high pressure leading to a rupture and bleed causing a hemorrhagic stroke.

 

After admission to the ICU in Sacred Heart, Tori seemed to be improving while the doctors waited for the swelling to go down. She was unable to speak or move her right side but was able to smile and open her eyes.

 

On September 27th, Tori suddenly became unresponsive and was rushed to have a CT scan where they found she had massive swelling in the brain and surgery would be necessary to relieve the pressure. The doctors performed a decompressive hemicraniectomy where they removed the entire right side of her skull to allow space for the brain to swell. After a day on a ventilator, she resumed breathing on her own, returned to being awake and resumed her journey to recovery.

Tori was in the ICU for 2 weeks before being discharged to West Florida Rehabilitation Institute for intensive Physical, Occupation and Speech Therapy. She fought hard to make the most of her stay and has improved with speech, walking and improving her overall independent. She recognizes that this will be hard but she has a lot to fight for and will do everything she can to return to her life.

 

On November 15th, Tori returned to Sacred Heart Hospital to have surgery. The cranioplasty would return the bone removed from her skull. The surgery was a success and she is now home after a short hospital stay. She's still recovering with a lot of swelling but it has gotten better each day.

 

Tori still has more ahead of her including Gamma Knife Surgery to treat the AVM that is still in her brain and therapy to regain the function that she has lost from the stroke. Gamma Knife Surgery is computer-guided treatment that delivers highly focused radiation to tumors and lesions in the brain. She is making gains everyday with her dedication and perseverance.

 

We have a long road ahead of us while Tori recovers from this unfortunate situation. With upcoming procedure, therapies, medications and other unknown, we are overwhelmed with the financial impact this will have on our family. Tori is unable to work for the foreseeable future depending on the speed of her recovery and family will be unable to work as much in order to help with medical appointments and care.

 

Tori is loved by everyone in her life and she has surrounded herself with wonderful people. We appreciate any help that comes our way to help with Tori's recovery. We understand not everyone is in the position to help financially but we ask that you continue to send your support and prayers as they definitely help lift our spirits.