Hi guys it is 1:00 am here and I just finished packing my suitcase. I am flying out tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon for California.

Weds and Thurs they have me busy with more diagnostics and of course....meet and greet the doctors (Dr Steinburg, the anethesia doc, cardiology doc etc) I will do the ct zenon, another MRI and an echocardiogram.

we are going to do the direct MCA-STA, with a combo of indirect also. (sort of the upsized version) LOL
1st surgery is scheduled for Friday 8/25/06, then the other side is on Tuesday 8/29/06.

My husband will be with me for both surgeries, but then he must return on 8/31.....at which time my sister will fly out from Boston to stay with me for the duration of my recoup. I have booked a return flight on 9/9/06.

Jill called today....just to wish me a pleasant flight. And Trina (a mm board member and former Steinburg patient has been emailing me all sorts of great tips and advises. Thanks .....I now already know where to find internet access in the hospital! You guys are terrific.

having wedding day jitters...but hoping the recoup/honeymoon period will be smooth!

smiles....Diane : )

Diane-
You are in the best of hands and I'm sure everything will go smoothly for you.  For me, the waiting was the hardest part.  Once you have the surgery and can concentrate on recovering, hopefully you will be able to relax.  We'll be thinking of you!!
Hugs~Chelsie

Hi Diane,

If I were in your shoes, there is no where on earth I'd rather be then with Dr. Steinberg and staff. They're the best! You're in great hands. [smiley=thumb.gif]

Your MM family will be there with you through it all in spirit, and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.  [smiley=hug.gif]

Keep us posted. Have a safe flight.

Mar

Best of luck, Diane!  We will certainly be thinking of you as you go through your surgeries!  Sending wishes for a speedy recovery!

-Shari

Hi Diane,

Another Ohioan turned Californian. LOL

So you're off to the Moya Moya Palace to be treated by the King (Dr. Steinberg) and Queen (Teresa) of MoyaMoya.  You are in the hands of a skilled moyamoya surgeon (the best in my book) and skilled moyamoya staff. I know you will do fine with your sense of humor and positive outlook and I look forward to hearing all about the honeymoon when you return from Stanford.

I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs,

Lore

Love the analogy, Lore!  I think that makes me court jester . . . . .  [smiley=bow.gif]

Diane, can't wait to meet you!  The king and queen will take great care of you!

Big hugs and safe travels,
Jill

Jill,

The jester??? NO!......The Princess!!

AND....Stanford Moya Moya Ambassador!

Follow the yellow brick road! LOL

Hugs,

Lore

Hi guys,

I am here and spent a busy day (wednesday) with my first familiar face meeting me was Jill! thanks for the hug and warm welcome Jill...just lovely to meet you.

Then the super Joli took my workup info prior to meeting with the Guru....Dr Steinburg!

A professional consult with a twist.....he said both of my corotid arteries are fully (100%) blocked!!!!

I am totally running on my collaterals....but luckily I have extensive collaterals established!

Can't wait to meet everyone else over the coming days.

thanks guys for all the nice well wishes and antics. It sort of feels like I am with a special group and we already know each other. Kinda wierd but calming. I am heading back tomorrow for another day of tests, starting with a ct zenon test, an cardiac echo...and meeting with the cardiology docs.

The weather is lovely....flowers blooming all around....very Californian. Great eating establishments....I will probably go back a little heavier (the steroids are giving me a strong appetite to boot) 2007 will be the year to drop a few lbs when I am all recouped and feeling great....right?
2006 is meant for focusing on getting better and not to stress about anything.

BTW: we negotiated a great rate at the Creekside Inn....it is one of the hotels on the list here on this site....it has an informative website to look at it if anyone is interested. It is usually starts at $180 and up for 2 queens.....the sales manager gave me $105 per night for my stay. 3 miles from Stanford, free transportation up to 5 mile radius, cont breakfast, free wireless internet in room and on site, pool, wt room, etc... and a lovely serene park-like setting.

Friday will be my 1st surgery day....so this could well be my last follow-up for a while....depends on how busy tomorrow gets. So for now.....keep my in your thoughts and know I am in good hands both here at Stanford and in the Higher Power watching over!

big smiles....diane : )

Diane,
             You are totally in my thoughts and prayers, the Stanford gang will take great care of you as they they did Mandy my daughter. Take Care.
                                       Nancy :)

thanks guys....your positive thoughts and warm wishes are so very much appreciated.

Today was another exhausting day from 7am to 3pm.

did the xenon and felt a lot of dizzyness for a couple hours after.....then an echo (because of my recent pericarditis/percardectomy)...then a chest x ray and a cardiology consult. Got the final green light and everything is a go.

I am first in the OR tomorrow.....scheduled for 7:30am -
2:00pm. We need to show up at 5:30 for pre-op. (yuck)

Our dear Jill, talked to me on my cell phone and insisted that she will show up and be with me at that early morning time! That was so sweet of you Jill. I told her that I will see her smiling face when I wake up and all is over. This is the team that Stanford has! I

am soooo tired right now....no time to think about what tomorrow is all about.....I just prepared my hospital bag and separated my things here in the hotel and I will call it a night over here.

I assume that I will be out of it for a few days....so I will ask Jill to update you on how the surgery went....of course we all know it'll be a walk in the park....(sort of after being hit by a 2 x 4 first... LOL) but what's a little bump on the head between good friends?

(just venting with odd humor...sorry)

Hey....you all take care and thank you again for jumping in and bring those good vibes!

big smiles and hugs......diane : )

Diane,

Sounds like you got to the wizard just in time!

OK Jill, it's 9:00 pm Ohio time and 6:00 pm California time. I'm anxiously waiting to hear how my fellow Ohioan (Diane) is doing. [smiley=gocrazy.gif]

Keep me posted!

Hugs to all, [smiley=hug.gif]

Lore

Hey guys,

Sorry it's so late in the day . . . I just arrived home from work.  

Diane looks FANTASTIC [smiley=sayyes.gif]!!!  Even knowing that every patient is different, I was still amazed at her chattiness.  Her eyes were clear and bright, and the smile on her face was enough to light up any room.  According to Diane's husband, Dr. Steinberg was extremely pleased with how the day went.  Definitely a great report!

I'm sure she'll be posting as soon as she is able to, but please keep Diane in your thoughts and prayers as she starts her recovery and gears up for her second surgery on Tuesday - I know she'll appreciate it!

Hugs to y'all,
Jill

We're pulling for you Diane!!  Keep your chin up.  I know you will do great!

Much love from DJ and I!!!

God Bless,
Steph

Thanks Jill for the great post surgery news on Diane. I'm so glad to hear Diane is bright eyed and chipper.

Diane,

Get all the rest you can for your Tuesday debut. Keep your positive outlook and sense of humor. Blood flow does wonders for the brain! I have been down your path with my brother and can relate to what you are experieincing. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you begin your recovery from round one and begin round two. As Steph mentioned, we are all pulling for you and have great faith you will do fine. Stay strong and know that we are here for you every step of the way.

I will be watching for your post when you are able to do so.

OH...IO! Go Bucks!! LOL!

Hugs,

Lore

Hi Diane,

Whew, thanks to JILL-SAN, we know you are recovering now.
Yes, all this sounds like you're in THE TWILIGHT ZONE,
but hey "it was nothin" right????
Thanks to Dr.Stienberg and his staff, DJ and all what he's done to support this MM family and not to mention all the FRIENDS we made here....

This "MM Tapestry" is none the less "price less."

We pray for your quick recovery and keep us posted.

Best,
itsme

Ok guys...,.I followed the yellow brick road and found internet in Emerald City. (3rd floor waiting area)

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. 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.

Joann came in both yesterday and today to do her doppler magic on me (Trina...she loves you and was happy to hear that you sent your hugs to her)

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 !!!

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.  

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.

Smiles to all.......diane : )

Hey KatJim....you must be here in the hospital or at least the last one to log into the MM site, as my post was posted under your chat name! I logged you out and then reposted under mine.

Hmmmm.....technology is unforgiving if you don't log out! Glad it wasn't your bank account!

smiles....diane : )

Diane -

I have big smiles ( ;;D ;;D ;;D) reading your posts!  You have a great sense of humor - glad you still have it!!!

It's great that you are doing so well after surgery!  Keep up the good work....we'll be thinking of you as you go through your second round!

Hugs from Philly!  [smiley=hug.gif]

-Shari

Hi Diane,

I'm so happy all went well and you are feeling good.  I was stalking the halls at 4:00 a.m. once I was mobile.  I got a few scoldings for walking around by myself [smiley=ohjez.gif].  (I couldn't help it, I was too bored and couldn't watch TV without my glasses.)

Well, I'll be back at Stanford in October for my 6 month follow-up.  I have all my appointments scheduled.  The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the angiogram.

Keep in touch!!  Rest as much as you can!!  Keep Strong!!

Aloha [smiley=hug.gif]
Jan

Aloha Jan,

You are just a wee bit ahead in the process...how are you feeling these days! Hopefully with a renewed intelligence and a gorgeous California look!

I finished the 2nd surgery on Tuesday and it went as uneventful as the first....I went from a negative13 on the left side to super blood flow!

Still dealing with the headaches, earache, swollen face and black eyes......I still have the Mike Tyson look going on...but will hopefully exchange that for the California look!

Hubby left today for Ohio....I will miss him a lot. My sister will fly in from Boston and arrive this evening to take his place. I will probably have a couple more days in the hospital before being released to the hotel.

Although this is a very intimidating process....it has been full of wonderful support and staff. I cannot say enough of how pleasant it has all been.

And thanks SHARI....my Philli neighbor!

warm wishes to all......diane :)

Hi Diane!!
So wonderful to hear you are doing well!  I know you will miss your hubby!!  It is a miserable, rainy day here in Ohio so hopefully you have some sun in Cali!  Keep up the strength and good spirits!!
Hugs from Columbus~Chelsie

Hi Diane,

I had my surgery in April.  My first was on 4/19 and second was on 4/26.  I didn't have a really dark black eye, just a bit of a shiner.  Unfortunately they had me on regular (adult) aspirin and that thinned my blood too much that I started bruising really bad.  After they told me to go on baby aspirin, the bruising started to go away.  It looked like someone to a bat to my neck and chest.

All in all, everything was a success.  Although I'm still having trouble sleeping at times, I haven't had any headaches since the surgery (yahoo!!).

Keep in touch!!

Aloha,
Jan

Diane!

So sorry for the late reply but I'm so glad to hear that your surgeries went well, I knew they would.  

I'm sorry your hubby has gone back, but I'm sure he's still there in spirit.  The hardest part is over now.  HEY, maybe NOW would be the time to go check out DR. DODD!!  We promise not to tell your husband -- Jill, perhaps you could set up a 'chance' meeting?  No moya moya patient should leave Stanford without meeting our own resident McDreamy.  

Let us know when you return to Ohio!  Hopefully I'll see you in November when I'm home!

Trina

Hi Diane,

I too am sorry for the late reply. So glad to hear you have completed your surgeries. It will get better with time.

Sorry to hear your husband had to come back to Ohio. It has gotten cool here. Went from hot and humid and in the 80's and 90's to cool, rain and 68! I hope this is not an indication the snow will soon fly.

It's nice your sister can be with you during your recovery. If you feel up to it there is always the Stanford Shopping Mall or you can drink your way up and down the Napa Valley. LOL!!

As for the black eyes, there's always White-out. LOL!!

If you see JoAnn the doppler lady, tell her Kevin and Lore said Hi! She is so sweet. Kevin thinks the world of JoAnn.

As Trina mentioned, a Stanford stay is simply not complete without a Dr. Dodd encounter. You too can become a Dr. Dodd fan club member. He is a super doc and has a terrific demeaner and bedside manner. Perfect combo for a doc. The entire Stanford moya moya staff rock!

Keep us posted on your recovery.

Hugs,

Lore

You guys are too funny! And wow....a lot of Ohioians here!

Trina I sent your well wishes along to Joann and she...well....she just loves you! Also, a Phillipean male nurse was mentioning you in the ICU.....(you left a nice impression on him)
Joli and Theresa were remissing at how you had such a fast recovery....they couldn't keep you still (I figure it must have been the Dr Dodd syndrome/distraction...LOL)

Lore and Cubbie....I will pass on your hugs to Joann in the morning for you. She is such a bundle of energy....I love how she enters the room peaking her head around and with a sing-song (I'm here!)

I would never have believed that brain surgery could be so much fun!

I have been taking a handful of pictures....but I have yet to get Dr Steinburg.....he is in and out of the room so fast....it seems an afterthought....but I will get him eventually with my follow up or staple removal day.

In the am, they will do another MRI and CT xenon as my speach was a little garbled yesterday. They don't think it is stroke....mostly, just a little fluid and then it is expected to go away on it's own. My left side swelling was more significant than my right side. Just a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson.....to complete my look!

Oh and my blood flow on the left side prior to surgery, was a negative 13....that was a reverse blood flow and pretty serious at that. Now, I am a positive 53!

I originally thought the perimeters were only a scale of 1 -20 (but that WAS what he wanted for my RIGHT side......my dominent left side he wanted even higher blood flow.....so in both cases....they ARE where the doc wants them to be now....and I am a very happy camper with great flow!

My sister arrived and spent the last hour of visiting hrs here with me.....she has her doctorate in Pharmacology and answered a few questions here on the board last month.....(she actually joined the board a few days before me) she took a keen interest in my MM and time permitting might be able to help the board with meds questions some more.

And a follow-up to KatJim (Jimkat??) I heard you were in town mid-August for you wife's appointments. A good lesson here to log-out from public computers! That was too funny to have found your very computer and still active.

Well....I will sign out from the land of Oz...warm wishes to all.....Diane : )

Hi Diane,

Really good to see you on the board. I thought of you last Friday but thought I'd post once you'd had the second lot of surgery and I saw you back on here. Great news about the immediate blood flow increase.

I had more swelling on my left side - that was my second lot of surgery too though I had surgery a few months apart. That was ten years ago now!

Hope the scans go well tomorrow.

Sending best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Regards,

Roselyn

Thanks Roz,

BTW: when did you do your surgery? Hoping that you are feeling just great now.

Lore and Cubbie......Joann said you are unforgettable and she loves you both!

Thanks guys you all really helped to make this a little bit nicer and easier for me.

I am slowly getting better and my headache level is tolerable now...so that is really a relief. They might release me to the hotel tomorrow in care of my sister who flew in last night to help me after dear Hubby had to go back home.

PS: the story behind the designer PJ's were the result of local designers and they had a big fashion show complete with a runway fashion show in the Stanford Hospital Atrium....the winner was Karen Nueberger. My sister ended up buying a set of her household line of Jammies in the gift shop! She loved the history of the Jammies....and besides, they are really soft and cute!!!

Who would have thought that you can enjoy hospital gowns so much....well, I guess California is ahead of it's time in a lot of things. Hmmm..designer Pj"s...daily visits from Jill, Joli, Joann and Theresa here at Stanford...what more do you need with major brain surgery?

The Kiddos are missing their mom...and I too am feeling the separation, but I am still weak. I will leave for Cleveland 9/09 so that should put me in a stronger position to travel. They removed my staples today from the right side, 8/29 1st surgery...and they will remove the staples from left, 8/29 surgery this coming Wednesday at my follow-up. They did a repeat MRI today for the swelling...and if that is alright..they can release me as planned. The steroids are a major double dose...I can't wait to get rid of them. I am taking both prednesone and decatrone?? Between them it is equivent to about 125 mg a day (converted to a prednesone formula my PharmD sister converted the amounts for me)......that's WAY Too much cortisone. The decatrone will be taipered out of the mix quickly which is great news. I look like a pregnant woman that has two black eyes and has been down on her luck! But we all know I must be the luckiest woman walking this earth! I have a second chance here....and was blessed in every sense of the matter.

Well.....I will hopefully touch base again soon.....you all really made it special....I thank you for being in my corner.

Hoping the cortisone doesn't make me eat my way through all of San Fransisco during my final week here! But if I do.....it'll be with great "mom and pop" eating establishments...and I'll be sure to enjoy every single bite of it!!!!!

Warm wishes to all......diane : )

Hi Diane,

I had my surgery done in January and May of 1996. Am doing really well (touch wood), thanks. No more TIAs - I get the odd numb patch in my fingers or face every now and then but nothing major at all. Following surgery, life is pretty much back to normal. Am getting on with things and looking forward to buying my first house, hence my post on life insurance.

I completely sympathise with the headache side of things. Am glad yours are now at tolerable level - that's hopefully the worst of it over - the worst headache I ever had was after my second surgery but after that they definitely eased and I haven't had a headache that bad since. As for the black eyes, before my second surgery I thought black eyes were only something in cartoons! Black eyes really are black!

Take care and get well soon.

Roselyn

Thanks Roz and all for popping in.

yesterday I was discharged (Saturday) to my hotel recouping. I went out to fill some meds and have dinner...but frankly was a bit worn out. Today, I will rest and try a slower pace.

My left side is swelling a lot.....if I push on the side of my head .....IT SQUISHES AND SQUEAKS....lotsa fluid in there. I am on the high doses steriods to relieve the swelling as is standard protocols....so it should steadily resolve over the coming days..but it is a wierd feeling!

The steroids make me look 7 months pregnant and topping it off with a puffy face and the black eyes....well, I could save some serious hotel $$$ and be warmly embraced by any battered woman's shelter! LOL

I took a local bus down the main street (El Camino Real) for the pharmacy and dinner run...and I wasn't understanding why people seemed to stare longer at me than usual....then I remembered the black eyes and it all made sense.

This has been a "colorful" summer. But all in all.....it has been a positive experience throughout, surrounded by the wonderful support of family, friends and caring medical staff. I believe after everything settles and becomes "my" norm......I will take a sharper interest in the true priorities in my life. My personal rainbow after the storm is just around the corner!

BTW: I saw the orlando photos.....you guys are Looking Good! And Trina.....I want an Orlando MM teeshirt! Let me know what I'll owe you. (Joann the doppler diva, said she is going to suggest the neuro dept buys a ton from you and will pass them out to the surgical patients....the dept certainly can afford the perk...but that is a future endeavor...so for now, I'll take care of my end of the shirt if you just let me know the price)

Happy Trails and Blood Flow to all.......Diane : )

Hi Diane, [smiley=wave.gif]

So glad you're on your way to a more colorful, happy, healthier rainbow. Our prayers have been answered.

Get strong, and know your MM family is always here for you.

Oh, and BTW....  incase you didn’t know… DJ has an "online store" here with MM.com T-shirts as well. (along with a few other "MM awareness" items) He doesn’t take a single penny from anyone for the upkeep of this website, he does it all himself, bless his heart! Where would we all be without him?! So, I hope you don’t mind that I found an opportunity to remind everyone to support him, his “online store” and “travel website”, every chance they can.

Thank you,
Mar

Hi guys.....

Well it seemed too easy....all going so smooth and all.

I guess a little drama was needed to keep me in prospective. Last night I walked a slow 2 block walk to dinner (it was a lovely night) and while at the restaurant, after finishing my dinner, I went into Atrial Fibulation and flutters (rapid heartbeat). I presented at the ER with a heart rate of 168. (pretty high)

I knew it immediately, as I had it with my Pericarditis in June and in the ICU after the first bypass surgery.

I spent the rest of the evening (6hrs) in the Stanford Emergency Room while they tweaked the medicines to get me back into sinus rythm and a heart rate of around 80. Pretty much, I just needed to get back on a beta-blocker and I will fill a RX in the am.

Hmmm....does this mean I might get extra chocolate today?

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

Diane, Diane, Diane.

Smooth? Let's see..... you've just had two brain surgeries, staples in your head, two black eyes, steriods and now Atrial Fibulation.....sounds like a smooth ride to me! LOL!

You might want to consider drinking your way up and down the Nappa Valley! LOL!

Was it something you ate? LOL! Definately MORE chocolate! LOL!

I thought maybe you had a Dr. McDreamy (as Trina would say) sighting and that was the problem. LOL!

Laying all jokes aside, I hope you are taking a turn for the better now that your meds have been tweaked.

Hang in there and I hope your next update is a positive one.

Hugs,

Lore

.    

Thanks Lore,

I am doing fine....just plumb tired out! I think I am having a delayed post surgery fatigue! I first ran out of the starting gate....then tripped on my shoelaces so to speak!

Ok...so.....I'll start wearing slippers for the next week.

I am due to travel back to Cleveland on Sat morning, but I am debating whether to stay 2 or 3 more days until I feel strong enough to travel alone.

And besides....I havent finished eating my way through Palo Alto!

The steroid taper has been putting my head in the clouds.....I will be happy to get those off my long list of meds. I am definately going back much heavier than when I arrived.....pound per pound.....I will rate my surgery  LOL

Joli gave me an official "water" letter for the airplane....hopefully, they will take it seriously and I'll have priority water. Now...I will plan on my six month follow-up recovering and getting back to my family and my life.

Thank you all for making this an exceptional experience. The support of pure strangers.....bonding and coming together during a scary time in one's life.....it was all just a little nicer to go through .... and actually quite comforting as many of you "walked me through it" ahead of my surgery.

Smiles.....diane : )

Good Morning Jill,

sorry I missed your call...(voice mail is great...huh?)

Anyhow....I could not leave this place....opted for 2 more days.....I was NOT up to travel on Saturday.

I will go out in the wee hrs of Monday morning (shuttle pickup at 4:30am) my flight is at 6:20 am and I will be home in Cleveland....Cleve time 5pm.

I am feeling better, but looking worse...I look so haggard and swollen in my face. The last couple of days there has been more fluid in my face...my eyes are shutting/puffing during sleep from the fluid. I look like I did a few more rounds with those boxers!

I figure this is all part of "the Fun" of the vacation! After all....I did come to Stanford Disney World...right?

Seems everyother customer in this hotel has tickets to SDW too....many for farming stem cells and bone marrow transplants. Looks like Stanford is leading the way in quite a few modalities.

Couldn't sleep last night from crampy legs.....(was concerned about possible clots)

So I was, up walking  almost every hour....figure no clots are going to slip in with that regime! Dr Steinburg advised that I walk the aisle of the plane occasionally during my travel.....we did so well, I don't want to spoil my good record. Knock on wood.
But that was counter-productive for getting my rest before travel!  today will be a napping day LOL

Please give my warmest wishes to all the department on Monday and I'll give a final holler when I arrive back in Cleveland.

I am so very grateful to you all at Stanford and of course, some of the wonderful board members here(and know who you are!) for really being there.....this was an incredible ride with great company in the car with me! But, I just want to know..who was it that left all those candy wrappers on the floor? : o

smiles....Diane : )

Hi Diane,

Glad you listened to your "gut" feeling and waited a couple of days to travel. That traveling is an experience in itself. When I brought Kevin back the first time, he couldn't speak and had no abstract thinking. I was hoarse from screaming at airport security thinking when they asked Kevin a question and he couldn't respond that he was being  rude. As though they couldn't see the two scars and scabs from the incisions on both sides of his head!

On the second trip back, Kevin sets off the alarms because he has rivets on his jeans. You can only imagine what happened after that. I didn't think I had enough drugs on hand to calm Kevin or me down from the security interrogation and shake down! I had to scream some more! Thought at one point, I would be detained by security for going off like a ragging maniac! I say it's my German/Irish genes that make me fly off the handle. lol! I'm probably on a poster in every airport from Columbus to San Francisco!lol! Actually, I had an unknown gentleman come to my rescue who told security it is obvious Kevin had been through some trauma and I had my hands full. I thanked him but never got his name. I think he was as disgusted as I was at the treatment we received. I realize they have a job to do but apparently common sense and logic don't enter into the equasion.  The positive is Kevin doesn't remember any of the first trip.

I hope you're not going through Chicago. It never fails when I travel through Chicago I have a lay over even if it is not a scheduled lay over. Go figure!

You are coming back to some beautiful whether. lol! It is suppose to rain Monday and Tuesday but you know they change the forecast by the hour. What do they know? lol!

Candy wrappers? On the yellow brick road? lol!

Be sure and check in when you get home. I will be anxious to hear about your trip home and to hear how you are doing. I certainly hope your trip is better than the trips I have made with Kevin. I had to just keep thinking about how wonderful Stanford was to and for Kevin and it made it all worth it.

Hugs,

Lore

HOME SWEET HOME : )

I have arrived in Cleveland and my 2nd son was there waiting at the airport.....he looked soooo handsome. I didn't realize how much I "really" missed my kids till I saw them!

The first flight was long, but I had a seat right behind the bulkhead...so it had extra leg room which was great.

I experienced some localized areas of headaches (sharp pains and pressure)....but because they were area specific, I figure it had more to do with fluid issues than an actual headache. The porters shuttled me right to my second, connecting flight and I continued on my way. My left hand went tingly and numb for about 10 minutes.....and that was it. Nothing really eventful on the second flight. A porter wheelchaired me all the way to baggage claim and brought my bags to the street/ loading area (I tip well...so everyone was happy)

After coming home, I ate dinner...."lost" dinner, then wiped out on the sofa.

I have a few FILLED boxes of mail, bills and miscellaneous "important junk" LOL to catch up on. Step by step....I won't let it stress me (I hope)

Ok....back to the sofa.....I just had brain surgery ya know!

smiles....Diane : )

Hi Diane,

There's no place like home!  

Glad to hear you made it home without much inconvenience. Actually, sounds like you had very good treatment. I realize now that my tipping must have been the problem. LOL!

Take it easy and please don't let the "junk" mail stress you out.

Enjoy being home with your family.    

Let us know how your recovery is going.

Hugs,

Lore