Carly's Story

My name is Carly Nunn and I am 22 years old. I am a stroke, aneurysm, and AVM survivor. I had a craniotomy which successfully removed my AVM. 

Here is my story.

In the early hours of November 13th, 2018, I felt dizzy and weak so I laid down unaware that anything critical was happening.  As I turned to grab my phone, my hand did not reach it. I tried to scream for help, but no sound would come out. After what seems like eternity, I scream and my roommate, who is an RN, came in and quickly figured out I had a stroke... but why?

After a CT scan, they had informed me that I had a stroke and a brain aneurysm, but they were not sure the cause until more tests were ran. Doctors discovered that I had an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) that had ruptured.  I had lost my ability to speak, walk, write, and read.

On November 21, 2018, I successfully had a craniotomy which removed the AVM. My stay at University of Cincinnati Medical Center consisted of 3 weeks in the Neurology Intensive Care Unit. After that, I entered rehab in which I relearned the basics of everyday life. It has been a very hard and emotional journey for myself, my family and friends. My AVM rupture was very difficult for myself, but my family were as supportive as any family could be.

​At age 21, I never knew what an aneurysm was, nor the potential signs and symptoms. I have been very passionate about advocating for those who have had a brain injury like mine and try to increase awareness about this subject to other young adults like myself and educate the public that young adults are affected by brain aneurysms, too. Because, every survivor is a son or daughter, brother or sister and families need support and education to help survivors flourish in their new “normal”.