Hi, I had posted back in July/August about my 23 year old daughter who had a stroke and during that hospitalization was diagnosed with MM.  After 72 days in the hospital/rehab, she came home with an during the day and even more outpatient rehab.  During this time I had been talking to Drs. Scott and Smith at Children's in Boston.  Katie is scheduled for surgery on 11/6, we are flying up from Philly on the the 5th.  If all goes well, we'll be back on the 13th.

Katie is a small person and it is difficult to find veins.  Because everything is small, the doctors are doing the EMS procedure as they felt she is too small for any other procedure.  We're not really thrilled with this but they know what they are doing.  
Also they are only doing the right side at this timel as the left appears to be in decent shape and they would prefer and wait and see approach.  Has anyone had two sides done at the same time?

So wish us luck on our journey!

Sally and Katie,
    I wish you good luck and prayers.  I had STA-MCA bypasses done at Stanford 19 months ago.  My surgeries were done a week apart.   Please let us all know how things go.    I am 30 years old but I also have a terrible time with needle sticks.  I have to ask for the butterflies and the smallest needles used for pediatric patients.  I have to wear long sleeves to keep my arms warm enough to get a good stick.  Again, good luck! :-*  Newt

Sally -

You are definitely in good hands with Dr's. Scott and Smith!  You will feel very comfortable at Children's of Boston...they are absolultely fabulous there!  Good luck to your daughter!

Say hello to Dr. Scott for me!

-Shari

I am finally getting a chance to put together an update on our Boston experience.  Not that the surgery and travel were tough, but i had three weeks off of work and just got plain lazy!

Dr. Smith and Childrens Hospital was just amazing.  From our arrival on Monday until we left they took such good care of us.  Katie's surgery was Tuesday and by Thursday they said we could go home.  Dr. Smith referred to the surgery as routine and boring.  wow.  We hung around the hospital until Saturday after the surgery just watching TV and finally said we're going.  Katie just needs follow up in about 6 months to see how the blood flow is growing.  All-in-all, Boston is the place to go.

Sally and Katie,
    Wow, I have never heard of a boring surgery.  It is great to hear that your experience went so well.  I hope that you have good luck from now on. ;;D
                      :-*  Newt( Natalie)

Sally and Katie - besides the brain surgery part (!) I'm glad you had a good experience at Children's of Boston.  The thing I loved about Children's is that when you say "Moyamoya" they don't look at you with a raised eyebrow and say "HUH???"  In my opinion, that, in itself, is very comforting!

Anyway - guess boring and routine, in this case, is the best news you could ask for!  

Glad to hear that Katie is doing well!

-Shari