lotsofkids

I am pasting a follow-up below with the results of the 1st surgery (my little typing fingers are getting lazy) I am still in the hospital for a few more days...post 2nd surgery...and I am happy to say that my 2nd surgery also went very well.....I am truly blessed 1st surgery: Hi guys...,.I followed the yellow brick road and found internet in Emerald City. (actually the 3rd floor waiting area) They exhausted me with a 12 hr day of tests on wednesday and 8hrs on Thursday......then as I was scheduled for 1st surgery.....I was due to pre-op at 5:30 am on Friday! Post surgery I was really feeling terrific with the exception of a nasty headache (I surprised myself at how good I felt) but the following morning was hit with headache and nausea....and that was well.....blah. I have a decent shiner on my right eye which is my badge of honor and my face is as puffy as a pumkin. I figure I'll have a matching shiner from the next surgery...so all will be balanced! Today, as you can see I am mobile and feeling better (Sunday). This is the calm before the storm....as I have little time to feel better till I go under again. They have me on the cardiac ward instead of the neuro ward....because I went into Atrial Fibulation in the ICU for about 7-8 hrs....they tweaked my meds and got me into a good rythym and I haven't had any more irregular heart beats. the Doctor read the angio and said I was actually 100% blocked in both arteries....which was confirmed in surgery as per below!!!! I was totally running off my collateral vessels without any reserve! Dr Steinburg said the parameters of blood flow is on a scale of 1 -20. I was a negative 3 and post surgery am happy to report I am now a positive 18 !!!! how's that for a great report! One successful surgery down....and one more to go! I am hoping to go back to Cleveland with a higher IQ !!! Hubby didn't sleep at all the night before surgery....and admitted that after the doc said it all went extremely well....he broke down in tears. As brain surgeries go....this is not the most invasive (mostly done on the perimeters of the brain)....but it is one of the more technically difficult and challenging surgeries. It is a micro surgery done under 100x's magnification. The food is decent....I am a professional hospital food critic....so far Summa City Hospital of Akron wins in the menu category! The pj's here win the comfort category....I was told they were done by a famous designer (forgot her name) and they are soft jersey cotton. A lovely light mint green theme. As for the new hairstyle.....well they barely took anything! I will be able to hide it all in just a couple of weeks....they were very conservative! the weather is super and there are tons of fragrant flowers everywhere.....San Fransisco / San Jose area is just lovely.....but too expensive and crowded of course. Agreat place to visit and I will be coming back for my 6 month checkup here. Ok .... so you have all the inside info on Stanford for now....and I'll try to trek the yellow brick road one more time before the next surgery. They keep warning me that I will be zonked out after the second one.....your body can only take so much. Smiles to all.......diane : ) 2nd Surgery update: 2nd surgery a big success! A second headache, shiner, earache and swollen face...but all is fine. Looks like I went a few rounds with Mike Tyson! My left side was already known to be the worst, but as I am right handed...they saved the dominent (left-side) for last....and the left side controls speach. The Swelling is causing some garbled speach right now...but the doc said a lot of his patients have some in the begining. They will do another MRI and CT Scan in the am to look at the swelling...but not expected to do anything....it should diminish on it's own. As the numbers with the first surgery had shown 100% blocked and a negative 3 (reverse blood flow)...well the numbers on my left were also 100% blocked and among the worst cases....the left side was a negative 13! It was actually pulling significant blowflow and oxygen away from my brain! I don't really understand it all...except this surgery was SOOOOO indictated (life saving) and now I am fixed and on the mend. I am so blessed. thank you everyone for all your support and concern. This a very, very special group and I hope you will all keep that energy, enthusiasm and special qualities throughout...because you are all part of a really a wonderful group and I am touched. Big hugs....diane : ) As for my contact number....I am probably discharging in 2 days (saturday or sunday) from Stanford Hospital....but I will be staying on in the hotel for follow-ups until Sept 09, 2006 so you may have enough time through the hotel to send a card...and I believe any late mail would eventually be forward to me back home from the hotel. Creekside Inn (Diane Khatib) 3400 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94306 <NOBR>(650) 493-2411</NOBR> Stanford: I am listed at Stanford under (Diane Al-Khatib for our insurance) Patient Information (650) 723-4000 (The full name of the patient is required for the release of information.) Sending Cards or Mail to Patients Please address mail to: Stanford Hospital & Clinics ATTN: Patient's name 300 Pasteur Drive Stanford, CA. 94305 (it is almost 5am and I am wearing my hospital jammies and hooked to the heart monitor...on the nurses internet station.......but hey....they woke me up to take all my vitals...and then it is hard to get back to sleep with all these steriods in my system...what a site to see!) Well, now that I have written a semi-book....I will go settle back down to sleep....my warmest wishes....and big hugs to all....Diane : ) <!--Footer Begin-->

Sorry to leave you guys in the dark, but I have been running to doc appointments and trying to recoup from the heart surgery and keep my house running with cooked meals for the family. I have NOT had time to really take care of myself properly. I have been spread thin with wanting to shop for my kids school clothes and school supplies and keep the house in decent shape, then the mail keeps overflowing with pressing bills etc, laundry is endless....life doesn't stop. I really wanted to leave things somewhat organized before I leave for surgery.....because I don't know what kind of shape I will be returning in. (there is a real risk of a possible stroke from the surgery) Today I am exhausted....that's why I am venting....sorry. Anyhow, we have finalized our decision and I WILL travel on his Tuesday to California (Stanford Medical Center) for the surgery. We will do the left side on 8/25 and then the right side on 8/29. I will need to stay aprox 3 weeks in Ca. My twins start school on 8/29 and I will not be there for them. It is hard to be away for such a long time. I worry about their psychology and I don't want them to be affected by this. I am trying to spend quality time with them now.....but I am out everyday with medical appointments as well. As you can see....I have a lot of guilt that I am not paying enough attention to these dear kids. My older boys are understanding of the situation and are more self-sufficient. Oh yeah.....I was adding up the invoices for all the surgery and diagnostics that they have done so far on me this summer........and it totals $206,500......and the upcoming cranial bypass's are expected to reach $300,000.....so I figure, right now I am worth a least a 1/2 million dollars! Thank God we have a solid insurance plan. Hmmm....but I'm worth it....just like "Preference by Loreal!" Went to my lapband followup today. The doc didn't want to give me any fill, as it could interfere with the surgery. They will put a tube down my throat during anethesia and a fill could cause problems. Of course, I understand completely....and I am not crazy! My wt loss will be looked at as a long term...and I will get a fill end of Sept if I am up to it. The steroids have made me gain back 10 lbs already. The doc said the amount of steroids they have me on.....I am lucky to have only gained back 10....he has seen people on the same dose blow up their wt. So, I guess I shouldn't worry too much. If I get through all this surgery stuff......then I can worry about wt after that. This is enough to focus on for right now. Hey....wish me well. I will try to give some updates from Ca. but it might be short and sweet! The hotel we have does have internet available. (hopefully, I'll touch base with positive news) Big Hugs to all......Diane : )

I don't want to worry you or anyone else.....I know this will all be fine in the end. The docs visit was confusing as he suggested the indirect bypass and the surgeon in California recommends the direct bypass (different risks) The Cleveland University neurosurgeon said he didn't see good veins for the bypass....the California surgeon said he sees nice veins from my MRI films (????) The one in Cleveland does not have a lot of experience with moyamoya, although he is a very reputable surgeon. The doc in Cal has much experience with this disease, so we will continue to move forward on doing the surgery in Calif. I am scheduled for 8/25 and 8/29 for the other side. Tomorrow morning, I will meet with a specialist in Cleveland Clinic and then...based on that.....(will it be a tie-breaker of docs? or more confusion?) we will finalize our decision. BTW: ...I met a dear friend in the supermarket today after not seeing her for nearly 6 months. She started to cry hearing about my health problems.....I told her the surgery is going to be a "walk in the park"....you just have to add a couple of muggers following behind me to make the walk a little more dangerous! (But hey, I believe I am walking alongside a professional bodyguard so I am quite calm!) It's all good.....everything is for a reason....I am seeing many good things around me already. I really feel blessed and when this is all said and done....my life's quality will probably have improved a lot. I will certainly re-prioritize the important things from the mudane routine time wasters that have filled my days. And hey....I know I can impress my kids friends with all my scars! Now, how many cool moms can do that? Big smiles to ya...and thanks for your positive thoughts.....Diane : ) Just bummed about the steroids causing me to regain some of my hard earned wt loss since the lb of 5/23. I am slipping back on the wt....but I will need to remain on the steroids for a couple more months....darn! But you guys better make me proud....I want to hear all about your success and svelt figures! : 0

AND CONGRATS AT YOUR GREAT SUCCESS! You go girl...that's sooo encouraging! And you are doing it will the nutritionalist...a smart move! I will need to have surgery, as there is no cure for moyamoya....it will only progress and get worse. Surgery is a treatment and the only option. We are directly involved with the doctors now and getting second and third opinions and the various different surgeries suggested (direct and indirect bypass) each carries risks...but the risk of not doing anything is much more ominous. I am not quite believing all that is happening.....I joke constantly....what else can you do? Oh boya boya! But I do feel that God is watching over and this will all be settled in a positive health down the line. Thanks for all your support.....and I'll keep you posted. big hugs....diane : )

Hi there fellow May bandsters.....sorry I haven't been on much lately. I kinda have some serious health issues going on at the moment. I did lose approx 20 lbs from surgery till now (had one fill of 1.4cc) but unfortuneately, they have increased my steroids (prednesone) and doubled it last week. Boy that threw a monkey wrench in the mix! My appetite has been absolutely ravinous...when it was sooooo in control "before" the steroids. I have regained about 5 of those 20 I originally lost. Boo hoo : ( Hopefully, I will win this....as I am a stubborn one....and I was already starting to look somewhat "thin".....now I really don't what to slide backwards due to the doc slipping in those darn steroids! Nice to see you all again and I'm happy to see you are all doing well and heading towards your goals! Kudos to you all. wish me luck counter-balancing the steroids.....hugs.....diane : )

You guys really make me smile! And that's a welcome distraction over here. Chameleon (Donna) even called me on my cell phone today.....she was so sweet and we had lotsa laughs bonding through this. She too, had some serious health issues that had to be dealt with. I am meeting with the neurosurgeon bright and early here at the University Hosp tomorrow. (but still think going to Stanford will be the better choice) I'll let you all know what transpires with that visit. I liked what JCBYdesign wrote: I can't even begin to tell you how badly I feel for you. I would think it's more like a hurricane that turned into a tornado and now you're headed into outer space! JCBY.....do you think it might be more like the series "LOST IN SPACE" ? lol Anyways....thanks all of you for chiming in and giving me support and prayers. I look forward to seeing you guys. As Paula said....funny how a support group of people where most members have NEVER met each - are all so close in spirit. You guys are very dear......keep up the support to all your fellow LB'ers...we do need each other. We are a warm and special mix! I love you all! big hugs and smiles....diane : )

Now they are saying I am over 85% blocked which is a little more than they thought....but, hey...what's a little more when you are having sooooo much fun? I will hear from Case Western (University Hosp tomorrow) and we will consult with Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, I am already on the OR schedule for Stanford in three weeks, with Dr Steinburg if I choose to go with him. I am leaning towards flying to Stanford as this is so rare and not too many docs have experience with moyamoya. I am still in good spirits and feel this will have a positive ending.....just a few frankenstein scars to flash to all my friends! Keep me in your prayers....and warm wishes to all.....diane : )

your prayers and well wishes are greatly appreciated! Today I contacted the biggest moyamoya specialist in the country. He is Dr steinburg at Stanford University. I will overnight my films to him sometime today. He has agreed to look at my case. I would do the first bipass on one side and then a week later a second surgery on the other side. Hey, a matching set! They said I would need to be in California for about 3 weeks in total. I am excited to have a "real" expert on board as most docs are unfamiliar with this ds. big smiles and hugs to you all........diane : )

dinner....hey that's so sweet of you! And because it's virtual......we must add a decadent, ooey-goey, something chocolate DESERT! I had one night to sort of be with my thoughts and get teary-eyed and let it get to me. Now, I need to fight the fight and roll up my sleeves.....you see I sort of plan on beating this thing! Well, that's my intention and it will be a good fight. I have a neuro appointment on Friday and hopefully I will get some more info into all this mess. The neurosurgeon appointment isn't for a few weeks, so I figure it'll be about a month before the brain bi-pass will actually be done. I am only 3 weeks post open-heart surgery so I figure I really do need some time for my body to recoup from everything that has happened. I am pretty tough tho, the only thing that could bring me to my knees, is if something were to happen to one of my kids. I thank God it is me going through all this and not one of them. I did get shakey during that "teary" session because I was worried about my twins being so young and maybe not having a mother around....they are 10 1/2. That scares me. Do keep me in your prayers.....it is out of my hands at this point....so I just have to trust that things will have a good result. Hope you'll stick around a while after dinner finishes and we'll have a long enjoyable visit......I think you and I will hit it off real nice! warm wishes and smiles.....diane : )

one that has residents and fellows etc.... they are usually on the cutting edge of medicine. also, attend their ongoing support group for patients "post surgery" that should give you the "fly on the wall" picture. And as 3loves said......meet with the doc.....your first impression is usually something you should trust. Most of us have a good sense, and if something is left unsettling with you....keep searching. best wishes and good health to you, diane : )

and as always....thanks for your concerns and positive thoughts. I appreciate it immensely! mysherrijo: Oh my...3rd degree burns....that and nausea has to be the hardest to deal with. I am glad you are in a better place now...AND getting your wt issued tackled....you will always feel better when clothes actually look "good" on you. You go girl ((hugs)) Cheri: Thanks...that is the best that I can ask for....I am very calm and at peace, looking forward to having good results. Not to mention I am a stubborn, tenatious spirit and I don't quit when I set my mind to fixing something! Mvpo8961: yep, been there and have already registered! Thanks....it is a wealth of info to chomp into and also a lot of people who have had successful surgery.....which gives me lotsa hope. PS: thanks Mv....for being one of my original buddies here on this board. Your friendship is very welcomed. : ) vinesqueen: good to see you too! True, the more rare you are....the more likely to fall through the medical cracks! Do send your Cushings friend to the web site that Mvpo mentioned. Although, she has probably bumped into it.....because so little comes up in a search.....I keep telling myself "I" am very special. They will taper me off the steroids......maybe only a month or two at most. That is a relief.....with wt issues...that is counter productive! RKidder: I have to believe in that......and trust that everything is now out of my hands. I have no time to feel sorry for myself.......I feel blessed that we found this and I have an opportunity to correct it. I am thankful for all the good in my life (and that I have active Insurance LOL) I am walking around my house saying "oh boya.....Momma has moyamoya" sounds like a fish dinner....ya know mahi mahi! warm wishes and big hugs to all......Diane : )

I appreciate your positive wishes : ) This is soooo hard to digest! Moyamoya is primarily a children's disease .....and mostly targeting Asians. I am an adult and caucasian! It can transcend other populations and with adults it usually hits in the 30's or 40's. But it is a VERY RARE disorder.....guess I am just "special" : 0 I have to continue to believe that I will have good results with this (God willing)......I have a lot to do and I want to see all my kids married and with my grandbabies! I have always been a fighter ....not a quitter. big hugs to all......diane

<TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#111111 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="15%" bgColor=#fef3d4> <TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#111111 cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"> <TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#111111 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">Related Resources Find a Penn State SpecialistAsk a Health Librarian </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <!--webbot bot="Include" endspan i-checksum="18304" -->Pediatric Hematology </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <HR color=#fcd96d SIZE=1><!--webbot bot="Include" U-Include="../../03/include/searchside.htm" TAG="BODY" startspan --><!--webbot bot="Include" endspan i-checksum="8192" --></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="75%" bgColor=#fef3d4> <TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#111111 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">Moyamoya What is it? Moyamoya disease is a rare, progressive cerebrovascular disorder in which the major blood vessels leading into the brain become closed or blocked (occlusion), and abnormal blood vessels called moyamoya vessels form. The name “moyamoya” is Japanese for “cloud of smoke,” which is what the abnormal vessels look like. Who gets it? Moyamoya disease was first seen in Japan. However, the disease has also been seen in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Africa. Children, adolescents, and young adults are most often stricken. Moyamoya disease affects females more often than males. What causes it? The cause of moyamoya disease is not known. However, researchers suspect there may be a genetic link because of its high rate of incidence in certain Japanese families. What are the symptoms? The most common symptoms of moyamoya disease in children is stroke or repeated transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). These symptoms are often accompanied by muscular weakness or paralysis affecting one side of the body (hemiparesis) and seizures. The most common symptom in adults is stroke. Other symptoms in both children and adults include altered consciousness, speech difficulties (aphasia), vision problems, involuntary movements, and difficulty with sensory and cognitive functions. Most patients with moyamoya disease will suffer progressive cognitive deterioration and eventually die due to intracerebral hemorrhage. How is it diagnosed? Moyamoya disease is usually diagnosed through cerebral angiography. In this procedure, a dye is injected into the cerebral arteries. When x-rayed, the arteries are easier to see because of the dye. The abnormal vessels look like clouds of smoke. What is the treatment? There is no cure for moyamoya disease. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and includes aspirin, vasodilators, or anticoagulants. Surgery called revascularization may be performed to restore the blood supply, but is usually more effective in children than adults. <!--webbot bot="Include" U-Include="../include/disclaimer.htm" TAG="BODY" startspan --><HR color=#fcd96d SIZE=1>This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. <!--webbot bot="Include" endspan i-checksum="5685" --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Back </TD><TD width="5%" bgColor=#fef3d4> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#111111 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="5%" bgColor=#fcd96d> </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width="90%" bgColor=#fcd96d><!--webbot bot="Include" U-Include="../../03/include/bottom.htm" TAG="BODY" startspan --> <CENTER><TABLE id=AutoNumber1 style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#111111 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width="33%"> Medical Center </TD><TD align=middle width="33%">College of Medicine </TD><TD align=middle width="34%">Children's Hospital </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER> <!--webbot bot="Include" endspan i-checksum="997" --></TD><TD width="5%" bgColor=#fcd96d> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center ©2004 This page was last updated on January 18, 2006 Contact Us <SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--var SymRealOnLoad;var SymRealOnUnload;function SymOnUnload(){ window.open = SymWinOpen; if(SymRealOnUnload != null) SymRealOnUnload();}function SymOnLoad(){ if(SymRealOnLoad != null) SymRealOnLoad(); window.open = SymRealWinOpen; SymRealOnUnload = window.onunload; window.onunload = SymOnUnload;}SymRealOnLoad = window.onload;window.onload = SymOnLoad;//--></SCRIPT>

wELL, I took my daughter in the morning to the Pediatrician and the good news was....it was only strep and not mono. The bad news was.....while the doc was doing his clinical exam of my daughter......I was running out of the exam room actively vomiting in a plastic container! I was having hot sweats and nausea....with a horrible headache. When we arrived home ... I called the docs and they said I need to come to the hospital thru the emergency room and be admitted. So, from Tuesday thru Saturday that is where I have been. They did more tests on me, including a nuclear speck test of the brain. The official dx is something that I never even heard of....it is very rare...about 1 in 2 million! called MOYAMOYA (you can google it) I don't have vasculitis.....I have moyamoya. There is no cure or drugs to treat this.....only major surgery to improve oxygen levels. I will need a revasculization surgery...sort of a bi-pass surgery for the brain. Without surgery I am at great risk of stroke and/or hemmorages. We have the team at Case Western University Hospitals working on putting together a game plan and the team at Cleveland Clinic to give a second opinion as well. It'll probably be a few weeks before we go for surgery. We want to be as informed as possible as to the risks. Well.....that's it folks....I will no longer worry about my banding surgery....as these last two months have been quite a ride with open heart surgury and my upcoming surgery will make everything else seem like a stroll in the park!!!! send positive wishes my way.....smiles....diane and Murphles you are right....I enjoyed Akron care a lot. This week while in University Hospital...it was so large and the care seemed so impersonal. But they are the teaching hosp and have the cutting edge guru's on board to help with my situation.

well, my daughter is up in the night and she can't sleep, her throat is bothering her. We started treating her with antibiotics from Sunday night when my hubby suspected strep throat. Looks like it is mono which is much worse and highly contagious. (I am worried that I am very much immune compromised these days...but we'll cross that bridge if needed) I have already been hugging her for the past 3 days and exposed if it is meant to be. I will somehow get her to the Peds office in the am (I can't drive and hubby is working two hrs away)A blood test will confirm if she has Mono. When it rains in my house.........it becomes Monsoon Season! hugs.....diane : )

be donning a lovely cranial scar and a new haircut? Oh, and 3yrs ago plate and pins from a tibia/fibula spiral fracture......and my twins came.....one with normal delivery and the second by emergency C-section My body is becoming a road map of my hospital visits!!! hugs....diane

Show us your scars thread......but I don't want to appear a show stealer. I really am not in the scar beauty pagent.......but I think, Yes, I probaby have won this event! A recent 10 inch open heart scar, 3 chest tubes, right, left lung and diaphram....and of course my banding scars of 5/23 Lots of brusing and 6 central lines placed in my arms, neck and shoulders! I am not comfortable with posting myself in such a way so this will be a temporary link. big hugs...Diane

we were on the phones this morning and trying to get me hooked up wth the Neuro gurus in cleveland. The idiot nurse told me the next priority appointment is booking well into September....I smiled, and told her that Her doctor had just been discussing me with another Neuro for a 1/2 phone consult and please call and let me know when THE DOC wants to see me. It will not be more than a week to ten days.....as I am a walking time bomb! She never got back with me.....but he was probably doing procedures or something and first thing in the morning....I will be chasing theml. I am a very rational person.....but patience has never been one of my better traits! Severe Cerebral Vasculitis is very rare (and dangerous) so I guess I am "just" special! I need to clean up the bills and paperwork....and take my mind off all this health stuff......I made a haircut appointment for tomorrow so at least I will feel pampered for a day and have a style before they give me a bald buzz cut! One of my friends said she will go bald with me! But she has long beautiful hair....so I can't let her do that! Anyhow, my spirits are still high and my trust and faith that God is overseeing all of this is keeping me calm. big hugs to all.....Diane : )

I was just coming back in here to give a big hug to vinesqueen. I was reading her journal and SHE too has a lot on her plate (poor thing) I tell my kids give the simplest of kindness......smile and be pleasant with everyone.....you never know what difficulties someone is facing at the moment. I too will be facing and am currently on high doses of steroidsl. That has squashed my hopes for quick wt loss.....but I think if I don't give in to the increase in appetite...I can hopefully counter-attack. I have lost 20lbs since all this mess has come on board....so I can coast with that for a while (I do look nicer!) thanks everyone for the support and prayers....

It is Monday morning and I am hoping that I will know in the next couple of hrs if I can be seen today by the Neuro Guru. The waiting is horrible. I have a sharp blade hanging by a thread over my head and we need someone to make it a titanium cable really fast! I am still positive, but certainly anxious to get the process moving. Hmmm the mini gown....I like that.....I will make one for my daughter's doll and put the doll in the hospital bed with me! OR maybe a stuffed animal (softer) anyone and everyone is cooking in my house.....except me! I am trying to get all the bills and paperwork in some sort of order.....and we filed an extention on our taxes....so I am in paperwork overload! Some friends have sent food, my husband is learning a few dishes....over the weekend he did a great BBQ! And yes, thank God for telephones and pizza delivery! No one will suffer from lack of food here. I have a girl staying/sleeping in the house....so there is always an adult to oversee the twins and to help with the general continuity of the house. My Hubby is back in Toledo 2hrs away ....he won't be back until Friday Night. Maybe we would schedule things for next week when he can be here.....or if it warrants surgery sooner...he will of course travel back. Well, that's it until I speak to the big docs (I hope today...and Then maybe some questions answered) hugs and smiles.....Diane : )

My nurses have already dicovered that I am not their "usual" patient......I was being a prankster from the get go. I had one of the nurses wheel me over to a "write-on board" down in the radiology department so I could leave some graffiti behind, then left the elevator with a few extra floors pushed....& told her let's take the long route and have some fun! she was cracking up.....everyone on my ward was white haired and eldery heart patients.....but hey I am only 45......so it was my job to liven things up!!!! thanks for the positive thoughts.....smiles...diane :0

I love to laugh and especially when stress can dictate somber attitudes,,,,,that is exactly when a good joke can be lifesaver! Hey this is a funny one but a little on the impolite side (forgive me) A bariatric doctor pioneering in the field of wt loss management, convinced his new patient that he could lose tons of wt if he followed the docs radical new method. From now on......instead of eating everything from your mouth....you need to eat from below. Stuff your food up your rear and you will be on your way to great wt loss. A year later the doctor and patient met up and the patient had remarkable wt loss. Everyone was blown away by the results. When the patient got up from the chair the doc couldn't help but notice that the man was walking rather flamboyantly and swinging his hips. The doc asked why was this happening and was it a side effect of the wt loss? The patient smiled and laughed ....and said no problems at all doc.....I'm JUST CHEWING Gum! big hugs to all ...diane :eek:

can someone PM my lapband buddy Robin Alheit (ralheit ?) and direct her to my post. I am challenged with typing and Probalby have 1 or twodsys to get all my paperwork in shape before I go in for my next big operation.....Oh boy....lotsa excitement going on......there HAS to be an easier way to get chocolates! smiles.... Diane

and some of yu0 are my original friends here......you all are bringing a smile to my face. Today I am having a lot of dizzyness and headaches ...but in good spirits. I dont know what my future holds, but I am ready to jump full speed ahead and with positive thoughts! Yes, any prayers are always welcome as I believe nothing positive or negative happens without God's will. The fact that we were alerted to this serious and rare condition shows that I am being given the opportunity to fight it and clean my heart of any cobbwebs I've collected allong in this life. this is what I've found today while trying to self educate myself with severe cerebral vasculitis (I should stop scaring myself and leave things to the experts.) And for those who already know me....my husband is a physcian (although, way our of our league...at least we can try and make some sense of it all) What Is the Outlook for People With Vasculitis? The outlook for someone with vasculitis varies, depending on the type of vasculitis the person has. In the past, people with severe vasculitis may have expected to survive only weeks or months. Today, however, normal life spans are possible with proper treatment. The success of treatment is related to prompt diagnosis, aggressive treatment and careful follow-up. Once vasculitis is under control, medications may be cautiously withdrawn, with the hope that the patient will sustain a long remission or cure, without the need for further treatment. Because doctors cannot predict how long a person may remain in remission, it is very important for people with more severe forms of vasculitis to continue under the care of a knowledgeable doctor for the rest of their lives. <!-- end content area for use with third col ad -->I currently have a severe situation with both major cerebral arterys 75% to 80% blocked....so things are quite acute at the moment....but I will check in from time to time if only to read your warm wishes and I'll try to have someone post updates if possible.

I' headong to sleeo nownnn gooe ninget ;00 looks like my singatiur is upanmd running