13/03/2026
Eight-year-old Gunnar Meads of Odenville, Alabama continues to recover after undergoing emergency brain surgery following a sudden brain bleed.
Gunnar had been rushed to Children’s of Alabama over the weekend, just hours before he was scheduled to travel to Phoenix for his fourth surgery related to an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a dangerous tangle of blood vessels in the brain that can cause seizures, neurological problems, or life-threatening ruptures.
The Meads family has faced an incredibly difficult journey with AVM. Gunnar’s sister Abby underwent surgery in 2010, while his brother Asher was born in 2015 with the condition and sadly passed away at just one day old. Gunnar himself was born in 2018 and required three brain surgeries within his first few months of life.
Following his most recent surgery, Gunnar remains in the hospital as doctors carefully monitor his recovery. His mother, Amanda Meads, shared that the family is currently asking for prayers as he continues to heal.
Doctors are working to control a fever believed to be related to the brain injury and treatment. They are also hoping his lungs will improve so he can come off the ventilator and stay off.
Despite everything he has endured, Gunnar continues to show incredible strength. His mother shared that he has been able to communicate by typing on an iPad, asking questions like “When can I eat?” and “Am I going to be OK?”
During recent scans, doctors also discovered another AVM that had previously gone undetected. Specialists believe treatment at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix may be the best option once Gunnar is strong enough to travel.
For now, Gunnar is already working with physical and occupational therapists as doctors evaluate the right-sided weakness caused by the bleed and determine how his speech and swallowing may be affected.
Through it all, his family says Gunnar has remained brave and kind, touching the hearts of everyone caring for him.
The Meads family continues to ask for prayers and support as Gunnar fights through recovery and prepares for the next stage of treatment.