Hello and Happy Thanksgiving to my MM family.  This is Tom from NJ.  Yes Like all of you, I have MM.  I suffered a major stroke in March 2002 which I have mostly recovered from.  My doctor Dr. Connoly, at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC said that I didn't need surgery because I have good colateral vessel growth and good blood flow.  A second opinion from Dr. Oglvy at Mass. General in boston gave the same opinion. If you can believe it I almost feel deprived following all of these fantastic surgery success stories.
     I'm waiting for my doctor to get back to me on what the best way to monotor this condition is.  Angiograms are the best but we can't keep doing them because of the risk and the expense.  Are any of you in this same boat. I'd appreciate any suggestions. 
     Once again have a great holiday.  Hey wouldn't it be great if we could all meet some day?
                                                     Tom G.

Hi Tom,
    
     This is the first time I have heard of two different Drs. saying no surgery for MM,  I guess that is Good News.  I was DXed in 1998 after having dozens of strokes since my first Major stroke (nov. 1997 my left side was paralized for almost two weeks--just woke up paralized @ age 47)  I have had both sides done, the last one in Aug. 2000,  I just had an angiogram done last month (Nov. 2003)  and have narrowed conciderably in both my frontal lobes. My Dr. said I don't need surgery (again)  just yet but he will be montering me closley.
     Just thought I'd let you know--since everyone is different..     God--Bless--You     and Good-Luck                 Elaine