I'm happy to report that Cheryl (cherylb) came through surgery just fine today.  As usual, it was a long, grueling day, but the wait was made a better by visits from Irene (itsme) and her dad, as well as Trina (tiomasai) and her mom and brother.  Tara even made an appearance as soon as she was out of school.  I spent most of the day with Cheryl's mom, sister and fiance, but  unfortunately had to leave about 40 minutes before Dr. Steinberg emerged (the paying job, you know?).  Nevertheless, things went very well, and Cheryl's family is understandably quite a bit more relaxed than they were just a few hours ago!

Cheryl is spending tonight in the ICU, and will hopefully move into a regular room sometime tomorrow.  Please keep the good thoughts and prayers coming for her as she begins the road to recovery . . . I know she and her family appreciate it a whole bunch!  Maybe she'll even be up to making a post within the next few days - we'll see!

[smiley=hug.gif]from out west,
Jill

Hi Jill,

it is always very gratifying to read of the success stories.
I am so glad everything has gone well for Cheryl. By going ahead with her surgery she has made positive steps in the right direction.

It is funny you know, but I feel if  MM hadn't jumped up and bit me big time on the behind, I would still be rambling through life. It served as a HUGE wake up call for me and my family and now I never take things forgranted and live and love life to the ABSOLUTE fullest that I can. I was very lucky that I am left with no lasting damage, but it has changed my life for the better.

I am once again really glad to hear that Cheryl came through with flying colours - please let her know that we are all thinking of her.

Best wishes
Moira

Thanks Jill for the update!  We were glad to see Dr. Steinberg just as we were leaving and know that all went well.  I had meant to call her fiance to get an update last night, but we all fell asleep around 8:30 (11:30pm EST time!).  

It was great to be able to be there and support Cheryl and her family.  I am sure they are relieved to hear the good news.  

Kudos to you Jill too, for being there from early in the AM.  It's hard enough to do it once for a loved one; you are truly an angel to do it over and over for so many of the moya moya patients and their families that come out to see Dr. Steinberg.  

Looking for more great news while we head back to NYC!

Trina

Jill,

Big [smiley=hug.gif] to you, once again, for being there to support another family.  I swear, you need to be put on staff at Stanford!  ;) I sure wish I had you with me in North Carolina!  ;;D  Thank you for the update on Cheryl! She and her family are in our prayers.  I think it's absolutely wonderful for all the support!

Take care,
Shan

Hello all,
              Just wanted to extend my thanks to Jill, Campbell, Tara, Trina and her family also to Irene for being there for me and my family.  I really appreciate you all so much.  I do have some swelling but that is expected.  Once thank you all so much.  I feel like I have an extended family
love you all moya moya family
Cheryl

Hey Cheryl!

Looks like you found the cyber cafe!  That's great news!

I'm assuming you are going to be released tomorrow - you've done so well.   I'm so glad I could be there with your family during some of the wait.  It was nice (so to speak) to know what it is like on the other side of the operating room door while we're in surgery.  I still can't imagine though what it was like for your family (and mine).  Heck, I was just anxious waiting for a couple of hours (of course, I kept myself preoccupied looking for a photo op with Dr. Dodd [smiley=crackup.gif] ).  

I hope you feel well enough to go to Napa.  Corey ( sp?) mentioned that if you feel well, that you all might take a trip up there.   Last May, I managed to go to Muir Woods in between surgeries (despite a headache, but the outing really kept my sanity!).  But only do so if you feel up to it.  If you go, take photos so we can see them when you return to NYC!

Look forward to chatting again soon!

Buncha hugs,
Trina

Hey everyone,

I was just up at Stanford visiting with Cheryl and her family.  Cheryl looks fabulous, just 3 days post-op.  (She doesn't feel like she looks fabulous, but let's face it, no one feels like a beauty queen following surgery and the subsequent days in the hospital!)  Her swelling is down, and she has minimal bruising.  She's been up walking around and has a bit of a headache that is being managed with medication.  The plan is to discharge her tomorrow (Sunday).  She'll spend a couple of days resting and doing some sight-seeing if she's up to it (yes Trina, Cory was talking about Napa today!), then has her clinic appointment with Dr. Steinberg on Wednesday.

What's really bad is that I too was on the look-out for Dr. Dodd (for Trina and Michelle) as I traveled the hallways today.  No such luck guys, no pictures! :'(  I hope he's not hiding from this crazy, happy-go-lucky group of admirers! :-/

Anyway, I'm willing to bet that Cheryl will be here on the board again sometime soon.  She's working on getting her strength back, and also getting over the emotion of everything.  I think that once you realize it's over, all the feelings of fear, anticipation, relief, joy, etc. can be pretty overwhelming (I know it is as a bystander).  

Please keep the prayers and well-wishes coming!

[smiley=heart.gif], Jill      

Okay, now y'all got me curious about this Dr. Dodd... Jill, you MUST go and seek him out and take a picture of this infamous Dr. Dodd I keep reading about and have DJ post his picture on this site!  ;;D  [smiley=laugh.gif]

Take care,
Shan