Today is the one year aniversary of my surgery.
Many thanks Dr. Steinberg, Theresa, Jill... [smiley=bow.gif] You are the best.  I can't forget to also thank DJ for hosting this site.  Without it I never would have found Dr. Steinberg and his team and would have resorted to a surgery (inserting a stent) that I my gut I knew was wrong for me.

It has been a hard road to recovery, but I feel good about my future and the progress I've made so far.  I am getting ready to take a final for a class that I was unable to finish last year due to my stroke and surgery.  In January, I will be beginning a clinical practicum to complete my coursework to become a licensed Speech and Language Pathology Assistant.  Who knows... if my brain will cooperate, I might take the leap and go back to school to become an SLP.  Guess I'll jump off that bridge when I get there  ;)

Thanks for all the love and support, my moyamoya family.  You guys are awesome!

Tracey

Hi Tracey!

Happy Anniversary!  I know you are relieved.  One year seems to be that crucial milestone for many.  I'm sure you will do fine.

I'm glad you found your way to Stanford and Dr. Steinberg.  My brother Kevin (Cubbie) had both sides operated on in May 2005 by Dr. Steinberg.  Prior to Dr. Steinberg and Stanford, Kevin had two strokes and had gone four years misdiagnosed and today, he is doing very well.  Much better than I ever imagined.  I say if Kevin can do it, others can do it too. There's nothing like getting a proper diagnosis and proper treatment.  That's why Kevin is alive and doing well today.

Best wishes to you on going back to school to finish your Speech and Language Pathology Assistant degree.  You will be an asset as you will be able to relate well to the many who will need your services.

Keep a positive attitude and you will do well.

Hugs,

Lore  

Tracey,

I can't believe it's been a year!  I'm so proud of you, what you've accomplished, and what I know you will continue to accomplish.  As Lore said, that first year is so very important.  You just look back and marvel at where you've been - sometimes in complete disbelief.  Congratulations on reaching this milestone!

As a side, I think of you quite often.  (For everyone else here, Tracey is the "brainchild" behind the stuffed knit animals we now distribute to our pediatric MM patients.  She and Carol (carolmae) have toiled and selflessly donated a whole bunch of animals, so that our MM children have a "buddy" and know that someone else is thinking of them as they go through surgery(ies).)   I wish you could both see the smiles the animals bring!  It's very heartwarming, and such a wonderful gesture from you!

Anyway, good luck on your final, Tracey.  Please keep us posted with your progress.  

Big hugs and Happy Holidays,
Jill  

Thanks so much Lore and Jill!  
Lore, I tend to lurk a lot and don't post too often, but I am always reading your posts and I am so grateful that you are always out there responding to and reassuring those who are new to this site and this disease.  It is so important to have knowledgable, loving people who do what you do for others.  
Thanks for your encouragement about the SLPA degree.  I definately think I will bring something to my patients/clients, having had some issues with transient aphasia and memory deficits to work through on my own.  I am very excited about finally being able to do this work.
Jill, goodness, what can I say?  You are just an angel.  You were so loving and supportive to me and my family when I was, quite frankly, scared out of my mind.  The work you do is amazing.  My life is forever richer for knowing you!
I can't tell you how happy I am that the children are enjoying their gifts.  It is such an incredibly freightening time for them.  I hope that the animals give them even just the tiniest bit of comfort.  I do have another box of animals to ship off.  I just have to get off my behind to write a note and get it mailed.  Lots of the animals in this shipment were made by members of my knitting guild (a few are from me, but not as many as I would like).  I hope that I will be able to make a lot more for the next shipment.  There are some really cute dolls and bears that I would like to send and of course, I think I need to make another snake since it was a hit.  
If anyone from the board is interested in making something for the kids, drop me a note.  It doesn't have to be knit.  You could crochet or sew or even quilt a little comfort blanket.  If you don't do any of that , maybe even one of those no-sew fleece blankets that you tie together.  Let me know if you want some ideas of what to do.  There are some free patterns that you could use or I could point you to some pattern books that are really good for this kind of stuff.
Jill, big hugs to you and Tara.  Hope your family has a lovely Christmas.

Tracey

Tracey,
  Congratulations!  One year is a great milestone.  I just went for my 6 month check up in Nov. and had a GREAT outcome.  No sign of MMD on the right side and the graft took beautifully with plenty of new arteries growing and providing plenty of blood flow on the left side.  
  Knitting/sewing teddy bears and making security blankets was such great therapy for me.  While I was finding out about MM and waiting to see Dr. Steinberg, I kept busy knitting and making stuffed animals.  Thank you for the wonderful idea.  I brought another bag of teddys and blankets to Jill in Nov. and it was so satisfying to hear of how well they are received.    
 You're so right about the Stanford staff!  They are just fantastic!  And DJ and this MM family are so great to have.  I don't know where I'd be today without you all.
  Take care.
Carol Mae

Carol Mae,
Hi!!!!!! I am so glad that things went well with your 6 month check-up.  It is such a relief to go through all the tests and hear that everything is going great.  For me, at least, it let me move forward.
I think about you all the time and wonder how you are doing.  I am thrilled to hear that you are still making bears and blankets for the kids.  That makes me unbelievably happy!
HUGE hugs to you!  Hope that I will get a chance to meet you in person some day.
Take Care,
Tracey

;) CONCRADULATIONS ON YOUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY :) MY 10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY WILL BE ON NEW YEARS EVE  :o

WHAT A WAY TO BRING IN THE NEW YEAR ::)

GLAD EVERYTHING IS GOING GOOD FOR YOU :D HOPE TO MEET YOU AT THIS YEARS "REUNION" TAKE CARE 8)

ELAINE CALVERT