Just a quick note to update you on the wonderful staff at Stanford Hospital.   8)
My first experience was with Teresa Bell Stephens in which she totally made me comfortable that I was doing the right thing and that it would not be that bad.  She explained that if i were to have another type of surgery related to another area other than the brain, my pain would be tremendous.  I was also shocked to know she and Dr Steinberg knew my neurologist in SA, TX.  Dr. S is such a wonderful man for saving the lives of many!  He deserves a big hug from all of us.  He told my family that I behaved very well during the surgery and that my blood flow increased immediately.  I have checked out other Dr's and have looked up their method for for beating the mm disease and was not as impressed at how they wanted to do the surgery.   one Dr told me that he would take an artery from the groin area and place in my head and wait to see if it gets connected in 6 mos otherwise go back in and do it again.
I would like to mention JoAnn who helped me with the Transcranial Doppler Study to measure blood flow.  She went way out of her way to help me take the excess glue from my hair.  She is a very special lady who has a huge heart.
The ICU nurses that helped me were Angie (she worked OT that first night I was there), and Faye and Amy for the daytime.  There was another girl that relieved my nurse who too was also very nice, iwill call her curly hair!  Then once in the B3 unit, Dr. Dodd totally was so nice.  It amazed my family that everytime he saw me in the cafeteria or the hallways, he would greet me by my last name and actually asked how I was doing.  I think he will be releasing me today-Independence Day!  Faith has been my daytime nurse who has been sooo helpful and nice.  She listens to all of my stories and asks me questions.  Davelen(sp?) was my nighttime nurse who was also very nice to help me out anytime and answer any questions I had.  They are all looking forward to seeing me again; I like to see them all again, maybe just not so soon.  I know there are several other care givers that I still have not mentioned but wanted to let you know that the staff here is EXCEPTIONAL!  

I had the pleasure to meet all of Kristina's nurses.

I want to thank each and every one of them for the medical attention they provided to her (and to David.  He was there at the same time Kristina was). 

Stanford University is very fortunate to have these wonderful, kind, friendly, SMART nurses and healthcare providers employed with them.

Rhonda