hello everyone,
thought i would update you on butch. this 2nd surgery has had its ups and downs. he couldn't get his words out to talk before and after surgery it got worse. it took him 2 days to get out of icu, his red blood cells dropped and had to have a transfusion. his bp dropped  they had to stop his bp meds because he didn't need them and had to give him meds to bring it up then his bp was too high and had to stop the meds also his heart rate was low.  for 2 days he was seeing spots and had some chest pain, but that was ok , after ekg and blood tests were taken.  we have been so worried, we finally got to go  to the  apartment monday about 130 and his bp went really high and we called the on call doctor and he took some meds to bring it down. but ever since this last scare he has been really good today. i am so gratefull and thankful that everything is going well.. the body needs time to adjust to all that new blood flow that he was not getting. what an amazing operation dr steinberg and his team performed. what would mm patients do with out this surgery  his blood flow was 1 on the left and 1.5 on the right . the brain is an amazing organ. so i pray that all mm are diagnosed and find this site and the right doctor to perform there surgeries. and that all mm are doing great and the support from this site, jill, tara, teresa and juli have been great. hope we get to go home before this weekend. everyone take care and god bless you all.
chinaya and butch

Hello Butch and Chinaya,
    I am happy to hear that things are going well.  I can totally understand the problems with blood transfusions.  After my first bypass I had congestive heart failure.  I had severe edema.  Steinberg put me on Lasix and I had two blood transfusions. I was in ICU for four days.  The opposite side bypass went much better. Only two days in ICU.  Good luck from now on!!!
                    MMnewtUt/Natalie

Glad to hear you are doing better Butch after your 2nd surgery.  My husband also had a speech problems after the 2nd surgery, but it cleared up within 2 days.  When we got home he had some speech slurring and his tongue felt swelled.  Dr. Steinberg prescribed some Prendisione for the swelling and he was fine once all the swelling went down.  

Hope you continue to do well, get as much rest as possible.  The recovery process takes time.  

Lisa

Hi,

I'm glad that everything went well, I did have speech problem but my was before and carrying after surgery, so I went for speech therapy and its help.  You guy give me a call when you get home.  I would love to hear from you.

Hug
Kieu

thank you all for writing and caring and sharing your stories i really appreciate it.  we get  to go home fri. we are so happy. thanks again keep it touch.
chinaya and butch

Hello Butch and Chianya

It's recovery time!
Sorry you had such a bad post surgery couple days. Glad it's settling down and you can go home!

I had surgery in 1999 w/Steinberg. Was elated to be able to turn 50 that year!

I had a couple strokes which affected my speech.Was also slow of speech post surgery.  I'm slow with word finding and need to take time  talking/thinking.

But the speech came back and so does the ability to be more 'agile' in thinking.

You've been thru a tremendous amount and I'm so happy for you both.

Will continue to send my best.

Linda A :) :)

Hello Butch and Chinaya,

I am really glad that everything is working out for you now!!  :)

Audrey

Glad to hear that you made it through surgery.  Sounds like you had a rough time of it afterwards.  It's great to hear that you are going home tomorrow.  Just remember, if you aren't ready to go yet or don't feel comfortable doing so, then stay an extra few days.  But if you feel fine, then come on home to Virginia.  :)  

We definitely want to meet you all when you get back.  

Michelle & Shane

Hi Butch,

This is Connie. I had my sugery on July 23. I am so happy you aredoing well right now. I still remeber after the 1st sugery, you only take 1 paiinkiller and recovered so fast. I was so amazed by your recovery.

My 2nd surgrey  was worse than the 1st one. I could not sleep for three days because of of pain and nausea. I was released from hosital on 7/27 and went back to ER for half day on 7/31 bacause of dehydrate. I am doing OK right now except the headache and  nausea. ( not that bad ) .

Hopefully we can meet again at the 6 month fowlow up.


Connie

Hi Chinaya,

Sounds like Butch is on the mend and the road to recovery after his ups and downs which is really good news.

Chinaya, you hit it on the nose when you said the body needs time to adjust to all the new blood flow.  In time, things will get better.

It is pretty amazing having two major brain surgeries about a week apart and Dr. Steinberg and  the Stanford moyamoya team are fantastic.

Keep us posted on Butch's progress.

Hugs,

Lore

Hello to all - Katie (who had surgery the same time as Connie and Butch) is doing remarkably well. The first week after we got home was tricky due to some strange tinglings and one fainting incident (MM patients - do NOT take a too hot/long bath), but now she is nearly back to normal. She needs some extra sleep, and hydration is her new best friend...otherwise she seems like herself!

Connie - if you'd ever like to connect here in Seattle, please contact us at lbachman3@aol.com!

Laura