Fifteen Years Later – An AVM Survivor Remains Grateful

“I’m so lucky to have been treated by Dr. Connolly and his team at Columbia Neurosurgery.”

Steven Hartler, Proud AVM Survivor and Photographer

October celebrates AVM awareness monthIn an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), blood flows directly from arteries into veins. Ordinarily, capillaries connect arteries and veins to one another, but in an arteriovenous malformation, capillaries are absent.”

From The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF), “AVMs are considered a rare disease, affecting 18 out of 100,000 people in the U.S. This rarity brings unique complications that aneurysm patients often do not face.” The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation also served as the originator of an awareness month dedicated to AVMs to start to bring focus and support to this patient community.

Another non-profit that serves our patients, The Bee Foundation also shared, “This is a significant month for many survivors, patients, families, and advocates. During this time, we raise awareness about AVM and celebrate the incredible strength and resilience of those impacted by this condition. AVMs are complex and potentially life-altering, but the stories of hope and survival remind us of the power of human determination.” 

Steve Hartler is one such individual who has survived and then thrived after suffering from an AVM.  Back in 2009, he woke up with no feeling on the left side of his body and thought it may have been a stroke. After being taken to Monmouth Hospital in NJ, the doctors were able to diagnose he had an AVM in the back of his brain that had burst. For this highly technical procedure, Steve was transferred to Columbia Neurosurgery to be treated by Dr. E. Sander Connolly and his team. Steve says, “Dr. Connolly was like a guardian angel, I know he saved my life.” 

Dr. E. Sander Connolly says, " It's immensely gratifying to hear from Steve that he’s still doing well fifteen years after we treated him. In that time, Columbia Neurosurgery’s cerebrovascular practice has come a long way.  Advanced AVM embolic materials that minimize the need for pre-operative embolization of low-grade AVMs, has made surgery far safer and less invasive. Staged volume radiosurgery for high-grade AVMs has also led to markedly improved outcomes. Finally, we are increasingly expediting the treatment of ruptured AVMs, which is something we learned from Steve’s case.”

Over the next few years, Steve recovered both physically and mentally from this ordeal. Steve says, “Without the resources from the various support groups, including TAAF, The Niekro Aneurysm and AVM Foundation and Hope After Head Injury, I don’t think I could have done this alone.”  Through some ups and downs, Steve eventually began to live independently and could drive again.

A sample from Steve's upcoming calendar

More recently, Steve has been able to wean off all his prescriptions and live medication-free. Renewed by this new hope, Steve took the road trip of his life and landed permanently in Gold Hill, Oregon. He so profoundly enjoyed the gorgeous scenery and serenity of the landscape he’s found a newfound passion in photography and currently designing his own calendars.

Fifteen years since his world was turned upside down, Steve says, “I am just so grateful to have another stage of new beginnings. I hope that sharing my story will help other AVM survivors know that while it can be a long road, you are not alone. Lean on those who can help you and never ever lose hope.”