Overcoming a Rare Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): Lifesaving Care at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital Inspires Teen’s Future in Nursing

When Valeria Urbina of Porter, TX, turned 18, she wasn’t thinking about parties, presents or her future. Instead, her milestone birthday was spent at the hospital, overcoming a life-threatening medical condition.

Five years earlier, when she was 13, Valeria experienced “a pounding, pulsing headache that would last for hours.” Then, at 16, she had another episode, just as intense. But it wasn’t until she was about to turn 18 that she had another one that was associated with weakness that would reveal the root cause of her issues. “I remember being in the car and leaning to one side. I couldn’t move my left side at all,” said Valeria. “The ordeal was terrifying, and I had no idea what was happening.”

Valeria was rushed to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, where her care team immediately went to work. They determined she was having a spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage, or brain bleed, an extremely rare condition caused by a rupture of abnormal blood vessels in her brain known as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

“Brain AVMs are found in less than 1% of the general population and are thought to be congenital, meaning people are born with them. They can grow and change over time as the child grows,” said Peter Yang, MD, assistant professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and a pediatric neurosurgeon affiliated with the Children’s Neuroscience Center at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. “They are usually diagnosed after a bleeding event, like Valeria’s, or they are discovered while undergoing a workup for something else.”

Valeria was immediately taken to surgery to remove half of the large clot and a drain was placed to reduce the remaining pressure. She spent a week in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), recovering and celebrating her 18^th birthday.

“When I woke up on my birthday morning, I remember being so surprised that the PICU nurses had decorated my room with balloons and cards,” said Valeria. “My favorite nurse, Katilyn, even brought me a gift. It all meant so much to me; they made me feel so special and loved.”

Not long after, Valeria was stable enough for a complete resection of her AVM, meaning there is no remaining AVM that could bleed again. She regained movement and strength on her left side, and miraculously, she was able to walk out of the hospital shortly afterward.

Now, at age 19, she has graduated from high school and plans to start college in January to become a pediatric nurse, inspired by the compassionate team who cared for her during a most vulnerable time. “The nurses and doctors went above and beyond for me,” she said. “Now, I want to do the same for other children one day.”

Her latest angiogram, a medical imaging procedure that uses X-rays to visualize blood vessels in the body, came back clear. She continues to be monitored regularly, but says she feels stronger and more determined than ever.

“Valeria made a wonderful recovery and didn’t experience any long-term neurological deficits,” said Dr. Yang. “Her overall prognosis is excellent. Because children are at a higher risk of an AVM recurring, it will be important for her to continue regular follow-up appointments.”

For now, Valeria enjoys spending time with her family, especially her younger sister, going shopping and watching Netflix. But above all, she carries with her a deep gratitude for the people who saved her life and inspired her future.

As Valeria looks ahead to her future in nursing, she hopes to bring the same compassion and care to her patients that she received during her time at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. “Going through this experience taught me how powerful compassionate care can be,” she said. "The entire team gave me hope when I was at my most scared, and one day, I hope to do the same for another child someday.”

Learn more about the Children’s Neuroscience Center at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital »