I have obtained a very good attorney in St. Louis.  What we are looking at is the misdiagnosis of the strokes.  The stroke she suffered in November ultimately sentenced her to death.  Had we diagnosed strokes earlier, we would have diagnosed Moyamoya.  It is kinda falling second to everything.  She suffered from this for many years.  She never met any milestones and functioned on the level of a three year old.  She constantly forgot the things she learned and had complete personality changes.  All they ever wanted to do was bloodwork.  That is what we are suing over.  I have also found out that this law firm has filed other malpractice suits against Arianna's pediatrician.  There is not a single doctor who had heard of Moyamoya before Arianna. She drew all sorts of media attention. I guess what really bothers me is that I continue to hear from Boston, St. Louis, which is where she was diagnosed within 3 days, and from many people who work in the clinic where her doctor practices.  I have never heard a word from her pediatrician, or the neurologist who she was referred to in September.  She never did an MRI, only bloodwork and they failed to acknowledge that her EEG was abnormal.  She gave them all of the signs and they ignored them.  I cannot let this go, I cannot sit here, knowing what I know and let them think this standard of care is acceptable.  If I lose, then I do.  But it will not be before it has gotten extensive coverage and people know the kind of doctors we are dealing with here in Southern Illinois. I told them she was having strokelike symptoms, I took her to the emergency room and told them the tests that her neurologist wanted run, and they laughed at me and said I was just an overproctective mother who was looking for answers as to why her child was retarded.  It has been the longest year of my life and because of their ineptitude, I lost my daughter.  I want to make sure none of us or anyone else has to go through the kinds of things I went through.  The guilt I have for not switching doctors, or letting her first stroke go as overdoing it on a summerday.  I will never forgive myself for these things.  I don't ever want another parent to tell a doctor what their child is doing and get laughed at or told you don't know what you are talking about because I went to medical school and you didn't.  This is the only way to make them listen and to understand. I don't expect everyone to understand or even support what I am doing.  If it saves another family from being torn apart, it is worth it to me.  I bet another child in Southern Illinois doesn't get misdiagnosed after I am through with this.  Sorry to be so bitter.  Mother's day is coming up and I work at a Hallmark store.  This is a really hard time for me.
If Arianna had survived her surgery, I would still be seeking legal council. We should never have been treated like we were ignorant. 
If nothing else, I want those people to acknowledge Arianna's death. 
Thanks for listening, I promise not to be so gloomy next time I post.  I will post about Arianna, or "Nonnie" as we called her so you all can get to know a little more about her.  That will be better.

Hi Tammy


Please keep us up to date,  I am sure Arianna is looking over all other mm'ers. 

Janice

Tammy---my heart bleeds for your loss----Remember, I have an excellent med mal attorney in NJ who may be willing to serve as an expert witness-----He is  simply the best and I would like to put him in touch with your attorney in St. Louiis........God will help you through this, and we moyamoyers will, too. Allow yourself to be open to His healing powers in your time of grief and sorrow.  Your Angel is watching over you and guiding you through this to bring peace, healing and guidance to all moyamoyers.  All human motivation is usually through love or fear.......your decision to bring a lawsuit is a conscious choice to allow your actions to spring forth from love, not fear.  So, in your own way, even though you may not realize it now, you are putting God first.

We are right there with you, love.  God Bless.  Pat