117. AVM Metrics

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All hands on deck!

I need help.

 

Do you see your country’s flag in this picture?  This is the image of flags/countries in my “Stats” page that have looked at my blog since the dawn of time (okay, I launched about a month ago).   I have enjoyed watching new flags pop up on my screen as the sun crawls around the globe.  But I’d love to see more countries represented and more importantly, an increase in views/country.  The reason is twofold:  1) I’d like to reach as many people as possible but haven’t done a fabulous job so far, which is why I need your help. 2) The daily list of flags reminds me to pray for the countries as they appear on screen – and praying for countries by name is a good thing.  So please share my stuff if you’re led.  There are easy sharing buttons under every post, and you can also share my Thank You.  The “Thank You” applies to you, first and foremost.  ❤

*Note:  While I was loading this post, another flag popped up but it’s not pictured.  Sorry, Germany!  And thank you (in every country) for reading!

Now…on to today’s post:

 

AVM Metrics

 

Metrics are my friend.  So many things in life are subjective so it’s great to be able to say (esp. if you’re recommending a course of action at work), “The numbers say…” The first question I asked when I signed up for Vision Therapy was, “How do you measure, and how often do you measure improvement?”  Answer:  They have all sorts of tests and equipment to measure how your eyes are working, and the generally accepted time frame is to do an evaluaton after every 24 hours of treatment.  My first eval, however, was after only 12 hours since we all wanted to know if VT was having any effect on me.  I had braced myself for disappointment that day but was overjoyed to be informed that the numbers indicated that my left eye (after 30+ years of neglect) is indeed waking up.  YAY!

I used to measure my recovery by the number of Cheerios I spilled on the floor of my hospital room when I was at Therapy Boot Camp.  But I soon discarded that metric since I was discouraged by the multitude of little “o’s” that stared up at me from the floor every morning.  Here are some alternative metrics/illustrations related to my injury and how I’m getting better:

What is an AVM?

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Likelihood of Rupture as you Age

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  • The probability of having an AVM:  there is debate, but it’s probably around 0.2% (brain-aneurism.com)
  • AVMs that do not cause symptoms by the time people reach their late 40s or early 50s are more likely to remain stable and rarely cause symptoms.
    (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000779.htm)

The Pain Scale

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My Walking Scale

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Qi – Meter

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10 thoughts on “117. AVM Metrics

  1. Ning, I love your metrics, they are informative and entertaining at the same time (“bouncing off the walls”). 🙂
    What exactly is Qi, though? I feel like I should know but don’t.
    Xoxo,
    Randa

    • Hahaaa… nevermind, I just followed the link at the word Qi (so handy!), and reminded myself that Qi Is “life energy”. That makes sense.

  2. Dearest Ning,

    You are such an amazing and brilliant writer (understatement!) You have described and illustrated AVM with such profound clarity and simplicity. I pray that more (globally) will read your blogs for knowledge, education and inspiration of this condition. Thank you for writing. Well done, Ning.

    As always with loads of Love & Prayers,
    Aunty Peng Leaxx

  3. I think you should continue the “Drunken Sailor” theme for your metrics. For instance, for the Pain Scale, 0 = “Passed-Out Sailor”, 10 = “Sailor forced to continuously watch Jersey Shore”.

    I also thought of a solution (although too late) for your cheerios metric. You just needed an adorable, cheerios-obsessed puppy to hang out with you while eating.

    Or I suppose an adorable, cheerios-obsessed toddler would’ve also worked, but the toddler’s mom would’ve probably given you the stink-eye for such a creative usage of their baby.

  4. Are you saying that your weaker eye is improving after your AVM? That is so fascinating! I am continuing to pray for healing everywhere!

  5. Hi Ann, When my AVM first ruptured I was 29 – looks like a perfect timing! I also was unconscious for some time and when I woke up I was sure it is all some kind of dream and if only I had found something really illogical I would have got NORMAL. So I was trying to find anything but failed and the “dream” goes on…

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