Letter to all....from LOTSOFKIDS

[Mvpo8961 1]

Diane it's been a while. How is recovery going? Haven't heard from you in a while and wondering how things are going.

Myra

[paladin 0]

Much love sent to you Diane from 3Loves. What's done is done. Continue to keep your spirits up and we will continue to pray for you. I am so glad you have found this place to be a comfort. LBT is full of wonderful supportive people. Hope you are still doing well. Give us an update when you get a chance. We are following you closely!!

[Mvpo8961 1]

Diane send us an update.

How are things going with you?

Hope recovery has been quick.

Myra

[paladin 0]

A BIG hello and hugs to you Diane. You are in our prayers.

[Murphles 0]

still thinking of you kiddo. I hope you are well

[paladin 0]

Has ANYONE had any contact with Diane? Would love to hear an update. Still sending prayers upstairs. Do you need me to come and cook Easter dinner? Take care my friend.

[Mvpo8961 1]

I posted a copy of a message I exchanged with Diane on the March Bandsters chat thread if anyone is interested.

Myra

[paula 4]

I came and checked this thread about a week ago. I saw where her log in date was fairly recent - which was reassuing!

hey Diane! :wave: we're still thinking of you! Let us know HOW you're doing!

[lotsofkids 0]

My last check in was Feb 02, 07 .....and I guess I didn't stay long. I really should have checked in, but I don't remember why or what kept me from typing.

Anyhow......I just re-read this post....it is amazing all the wonderful folks that were here supporting me through that roller-coaster ride! You guys are just terrific. I am so sorry to have dropped off the planet..so to speak.

I have had my house on the market....and I am always a phone call away from another "house showing". Of course, I have been recouping and trying to focus on my husband and (5) children....then keeping the house show-room ready (yikes) and with any down time leftover....I find myself snoring on the sofa!!!!

I am happy to say that my health is in a good place and getting better. I am putting in a full days load and pretty much doing every normal thing...ie: driving etc.... (I do tire out a bit faster)...but I am looking and feeling pretty well overall. My wt loss is not where I would want it....but I was only able to start my first fill in January of this year! (better late than never) I have only lost 25lbs so far....and certainly need to do better in that department. That's what prompted me to pop back in here.....I need some re-energizing my spirit to get motivated in being serious about losing my extra wt! And of course, to see my dear friends and how well you are all doing. I certainly hope to hear great results from all of you guys!!!!

I still have headaches....but they are much milder now. My dizzyness is also greatly diminished.....most of my symptoms are only mild versions of what they were before surgery. I am really very fortunate...and certainly blessed that I was given a new lease and a 2nd chance. I hope I will be worthy and thankful for all my blessings. My kids have their mom....and words cannot express my thoughts on that.

Most people with what I had....are diagnosed after a catastrophic stroke...then they go about having the surgeries.....but they never return to pre-stroke condition. I came in just under the wire....without a major stroke or life threatening hemmoraging. So my post surgery results are the best anyone could hope for. I am walking, talking and functioning without any impairments! And with the increased blood flow....my mental clarity (brain fog) has improved greatly! Who'da thunk it?

Big hugs to all.....Diane : )

[StacieM 0]

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Hi guys, I just wrote this scripted letter because I will be going silent again as there are certainly some issues happening in my life right now.Hope all is shimmery and bright on your side...my big hugs to you dear friends.

Hmmm, where do I start? The fact that typing each and every word in the following sentences are being written 3 to 4 times each…is my personal challenge, I will try and limit my words.

Where have I been and what have I been doing?

In summary (only joking) I was in a plane crash….then a horrible car accident and now I am on a cruise ship heading into a hurricane….confused? So am I… and also overwhelmed.

I had a bad virus about 7 weeks ago that caused me to have an emergency acute Pericarditis (inflammation and Fluid retention around the heart) that was the plane crash. I spent a week in the hospital while they drained fluid from my heart and both lungs and gave me steroids to stop the inflammation.

I left the hospital and thought I was on the road to recovery….not quiet…here is the horrible car crash. I started deteriorating badly while on vacation in Chicago. I was in congestive heart failure due to the Pericardium membrane had become scarred and thickened and was now, not allowing my heart to expand. I rushed back to Akron on an emergency flight and was re-admitted into the hospital. Lots of attention and tests including having a Heart Catheterization which confirmed that I needed an emergency Pericardectomy operation. I now no longer have a pericardium membrane and instead I have a lovely ten inch scar down the middle of my chest from heart surgery. I spent over two weeks on the heart-ward. I came home today…..but I will be going back on Monday to start my cruise ship into the hurricane.

During one of the operations, I had two mini strokes which is effecting my fine motor skills….i.e. the difficulty typing (this is taking me 2 hours….but I suppose it as a physical therapy and will help me towards my recovery) Because of the strokes, they ordered more tests including MRI’s and MRA (arteries) that led to finding a more ominous problem (can it really get worse?) They now ordered an angiogram catheter to probe my brain and found that BOTH my major cerebral arteries of the brain are over 75% blocked and I am having severe occlusive disease at the base of my skull called vaculitis(sp?)

I will probably be checked into the Cleveland Clinic or the University Hospital System in

Cleveland early this week, as we are mobilizing to find the most qualified Neuro/vascular surgeon in the area. My previous surgeries were at Summa (City hospital in Akron)

Most likely, we will place shunts in those arteries….however, there is a possibility that I might respond favorably to immno suppressants and be able to forgo a dangerous surgery. These are the events that we are currently right in the middle of and will be determined as events unfold. I am in good spirits and actually feeling very grateful that we were able to realize something bigger was looming in the shadows. I am blessed and looking forward to facing this head on. There are still many unanswered questions….like what’s caused this process? Are they related in some way? Possibly and possibly it is some sort of auto-immune (my body is attacking itself) those answers will all be addressed as time passes new pieces of the puzzle come together.

I will keep you informed, meanwhile, please keep my in your thoughts and prayers.

Smiles and hugs, Diane

Oh...and yes I am still losing wt....although it seems irrelivant.....It is probably a positive towards my overall recovery and I need every positive right now !!!!

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Diane... all I can tell you is have faith. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Stay strong and keep telling yourself you will get through this. God is a powerful and almighty being so rely on him if you can.

Do me a favor, put your arms around yourself and squeeze hard.. .thats a hug from me!

[cris35 2]

Oh Dianne, I'm am so happy to hear you are doing much better. I had tears in my eyes as I read what was going on with you. How frightening that must have been. But GOD is good. He has walked with you through this and brought you out whole. You truly are blessed. And don't you frett about your 25 lb. weight loss, That is darn good considering all you have been through. You are on your road to a full recovery and with your fills, your weight will just start to melt off. God bless you honey, and please keep us posted. =)

[Chris S. - L.I. 0]

Diane,

This is great news! I remember reading your story and praying for you. It almost seems like more then one person could possibly go through. So glad it turned out well in the end. You are blessed!

Chris S.

[lotsofkids 0]

It certainly was a wild summer of '06 !!!!

Luckily, summer of 07 is a bit on the boring side...LOL

Turns out..it was not vasculitis at all....but a rare (1 in 2 million) disease called Moyamoya...and my both Coratids were actually blocked 100% and having "reverse" blood flow (if you can actually get worse than 100% that is it!) Surgery confirmed those numbers, making me one of the worst cases the doc had seen (but probably with the best post surgical results!)

Anyhow....I am a walking miracle....and so very grateful.

LOTSA Hugs to all, Diane : )

[LindaV 0]

Diane - I havn't checked in on LBT for months but happened to see your post tonight while waiting for a load of laundry to finish.

I have found myself thinking and praying for and wondering about you over the past year. Thanks for checking in and letting us know how you are doing. I am really glad to hear life is going so well for you.

[Qvrfullmidwife 0]

So, Lotsofkids...the first post stated that this was caused by a virus but then I think that I saw that your sig line read (I think it's been changed) that it was caused by the band? What caused this?

(SO glad that you are apparently well on the road to recovery...I bet those lots of kids are feeling very blessed)