[F]Hi

My name is Amina, I was diagnosed with an cavernous angioma last year September and then re-diagnosed with a venous angioma. Presently Im doing research on this condition so that I can make a fairly educated decision with regards to having the operation and removing the DVA.

I would love to hear from people with a similar condition or experiences. Before I was diagnosed I lived a fairly active life. I am a mum of two and I have a "sometimes" wonderful supportive husband.

I have never really been sick before (childbirth excluded) so one morning on the 19 September 2007 when I got up I could not lift my head of the pillow, the entire room was spinning and I was nauseous. I could not even walk to the loo, to cut a long story short I was admitted into hospital for a suspected middle ear infection.

By chance my ENT specialist suggested I go in for a MRI scan thats when the world turn upside down literally. They discovered a growth on my brain and I was referred to the best neurosurgeon in South Africa who told me that I had a cavernous Angioma. I then went to 2 more opinions and eventually I was told that I have a venous angioma from the same surgeon.

I have been advised to have the operation and have it removed, my DVA is situation on the roof of the 4th ventricle. And apparently this is the worst place to have it as this is a life threatening area.

Presently I am struggling with the decision to have or not to have the op. Im basically scared of having the operation, I am also struggling to come to terms with my diagnoses.

Thats my story[/FONT][/FONT]