Hi Guys,
Just wanted to let everyone know that I am leaving for Duke on the Thursday for Pre-Op and surgery on Friday. I was supposed to have gone to Atlanta to have the surgeries but because of insurance issues I am having to go to Duke. Dr. Michael Alexander will be performing the surgery. I am first having the right side done (which I was orginally told I did not have a problem on!!!) Then in a couple weeks I will return to have the left. I feel pretty secure and happy with this doctor. He performs this type of surgery about 5 to 6 times a year. So, not as much as I would like but I am putting all my faith into him!!!! [smiley=worried.gif] I have a lot of faith that the Lord will take care of me and excited to finally get something done.
Also, I had posted earlier about having Lupus, they are still doing more test there so I will let everyone know about that too. I will try to post while I am there to let everyone know how things are going. But I really just want to say thanks to everyone for all their support and shoulders to lean on!!! (Especially sc girl and babyblue)
Love and prayers to you all!
[smiley=heart.gif] [smiley=hug.gif]
Tamara     Applejac

Hey Tamara-

Just wanted to let you know that i will be thinking about you on friday. Remember to stay strong and positive! Please let me know how everything goes. You will be in my thoughts and prayers! Hopefully after you recover we can still meet up. Take care girl!
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Christy (babyblue)

Hi Tamara,

Just wanted you to know that you're in our thoughts and prayers girl. We'll be there with you in spirit!

Mar [smiley=hug.gif]

Hi Tamara!

I just wanted to wish you good luck and know that you are in our prayers!  I know that everything will go smoothly.

I too will be traveling to Duke in April, surgery date is April 26th.  Dr. Takanori Fukushima will be performing my surgery.  Believe it or not, I will be coming from Hawaii.  Dr. Fukushima is a skilled neurosurgeon and has done many surgeries...especially since he has been trained in Japan. He has seenm many cases of Moyamoya.  

You mentioned that you will be returning to Duke a few weeks later for your second surgery.  We may be there at the same time.

Take care and have a speedy recover.  
With much love and aloha,
Colleen [smiley=hug.gif]

Hi Tamara,

You have those of us in California pulling for you, too!  Our thoughts and many prayers will definitely be with you on Friday.  We'll look forward to hearing from you once you're up to providing an update.  

Big hugs from out west,
Jill

You have our prayers, too.  You're a very positive person and will do GREAT..... ;;D.  Will be thinking of you on Friday and look forward to your update when you feel up to it.   Tight hugs, CarasMOM

Hi Colleen,

I just wanted to let you know that you too will be in our thoughts and prayers. Hope you get a chance to get together with Tamara, and support one another through your surgeries!

It’s great that your surgeon has moyamoya experience, that’s sooooo important. In fact, because of that, I have to ask you a favor. After your surgery, would you please post your doctor’s name and where’s he’s from in the “Surgeons with Bypass Experience” section on the main forum page, and give him a thumbs up or down?? It may help so many future MM’ers when looking for a good surgeon with MM experience.

Thank you, and please keep us posted as to your progress. [smiley=hug.gif]

Mar

No problem!  I will be happy to give you an update and also post information on Dr. Takanori Fukushima.  I will be meeting him tomorrow in Hawaii as he makes his way back to North Carolina.  I am very excited and anxious to meet him.

I too hope that Tamara and I can hook up in North Carolina!  Thank you for your good wishes.  

i hope the surgery goes well tamara! good luck and san francisco's thinking of you :)

Tamara,Thinking about you today.I'm sending many many prayers for a flawless surgery and quick recovery.
Mary Grace

Tamara,
Since we got the chance to talk on the phone a couple times, I feel like I know you now.  I also know exactly how you're feeling and what you're going through today.  I e-mailed you at home, but wanted to let you know on this site also that I was thinking about you and praying for you all day today.  Sure hope your surgery went as smoothly as one could possibly go and that you have the most minimal post surgery effects anyone has ever had.  I'll keep watch here, too for any updates on your recovery.
Hang in there and be strong.  We're all routing for you!
SC Girl  - Kris [smiley=heart.gif] [smiley=thumb.gif]

Hey Tamara,
If your surgery went anything like mine, this is the morning of the huge headache in ICU [smiley=hurl.gif]  Just wanted to let you know you're still on my mind and in my prayers.  Hope you didn't have to hurl.  I was lucky due to my stomach of steel, but others haven't been.  Again, I wish you the most flawless recovery possible.  After  you make it through all this, you'll by MY new HERO! [smiley=bow.gif]

Maybe if all goes well, you'll get to go to your room this afternoon.  Did you make good use of your catheter? ;)  You know I did!

Keep hangin' in there.  It's all anyone can ask of you.

[smiley=heart.gif],
Kris