Irene...it was GREAT meeting you, too.

Cara and I just pulled in the driveway few minutes ago...driving back from Vegas....Cara kept saying...I miss DJ, I miss Tara, I miss Christy, I miss Michelle, I miss Shari, I miss Tara's Mom and Dad, I miss.... on and on.  She had a BLAST !!!

She even looked at me every time someone said "MRI or moyamoya"....as if never hears it anywhere else but heard it so many times over the weekend...all those other words associated with MM including "TIA"....for a 7 year old thats pretty good I thought...but then there are so many adults out there who "never" heard of a "TIA"...they ask me or ask another person what the hell is Cara talking about (especially if they don't know her case)....when they find out...they go...Uhhhh a little kid have some kind of stroke like symptom already !!!!

But anyway was a wonderful environment to be in, we REALLY enjoyed it and look forward to the next one...hoping more people come.

LOTS of pictures were taken...so there will be lots more on soon.

HUGS...good to be back home with my boys though...they're happy to see MOM.

Carol  ;

Hi everyone,

We, too, just arrived home within the last hour or so.  My head is swimming with the unbelievable memories of the weekend.  My gosh - we had 18 MM patients along with family members and friends all together in one place!  It was so nice to put faces to many of the names on this site.  The experience was indescribable, and we are already looking forward to next year's gathering with lots of anticipation!

Irene mentioned a memory book.  Several weeks before leaving for LV, Michelle (Seachelles) sent out a regular email notice asking people if they wanted to participate in a scrapbook-type album for DJ.  The intent of the album was (and is) to say thank you to him for the gift of this wonderful website.  Anyone who wished to participate was asked to send their thoughts to me in a written email and/or to send pictures of their choice to include in the album. 

The album was made without DJ's knowledge - yes, I do believe we surprised him!!!  To maintain complete secrecy, all communications were done via email, not through PM's on this site.  As such, we were only able to get the email message out to people who had their email address publicly displayed on their profile.

So . . . the purpose of this communication is to now invite participation from anyone else here who would like to be part of the book we presented to DJ in Las Vegas.  The book is beautiful - black leather, with embossing on the front.  It is about 1/2 full, and we would love to add to it!  If you would like to participate, just type a PM to me (or send it to me via email at sca4gold@lycos.com), and Tara and I will make a scrapbook page for the book.  If you want to include pictures as part of your page, you may email or snail mail them to me (I'll give you my address if you ask).  We'd really love to receive any and all submissions!

I will second what Irene said about the weekend being one of life's highlights.  As I sat in the hospitality suite and looked around at everyone, I was reduced to tears as I contemplated the path we've all traveled to arrive at this point.  While occasionally tearful, it was such a joyous occasion!  I can't wait to share it with even more people next year!  Stay tuned . . . .

Hugs to my MM family,
Jill   



 

It was so nice to meet many of you at Las Vegas.
We could spend only limited time there.  Even though it was still exciting and good enough to say Hi to everyone.

We really appreciate DJ, Michelle, Shari, Jill, Tara, Campbell and everybody else who prepared, organized, and coordinated the wonderful event!

Already looking forward to meeting next time.
Thank you!  Cotadad

I just wanted to say that it was an awesome weekend.  I thought I felt connected before, but its so much stronger of a connection.  I can't thank you all enough for sharing with me your experience.  It was a terrific experience over the weekend.  I also want to thank you for sending your wishes to Holly.  She really liked them.  I will be working on the email list of names and contact info.  If anyone didn't sign it and would like there information in the book as well please feel free to PM me.  This also goes for anyone from the board too.

Wish I could of met everyone here, can't wait for the next one.

Hillary

Back at work , wishing we were back in Vegas with our mm family ...  Just wanted to say thank you to DJ, Michelle, Shari, Jill, Tara, Campbell, and Carol & Cara...  and anyone else who helped put the event together!  We had a great time and are very glad we were able to go.  I also want to thank everyone we met, as I said on Sunday; the people we have met (online and now in person) are all wonderfully supportive!  I'm so glad we found the MM.com site and all of you!  We can't wait until next year's meeting!

Jim and Christy

ps: I agree with cubbie; Cara would make a great group spokesperson!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that made it to the MM gathering in Las Vegas.  I think I can speak for everyone and say that we all had a great time.  I'm sure that next years will be even better. 

I know that the weekend was very gratifying and memorable for me.  I will never forget it.  Like everyone has said, it's nice to put names with faces of those that I am acquainted with on the boards. 

I'd like to take a moment and thank DJ, Shari, Carol, and Jill and her family for all their help that they gave me during the weekend.  You all helped to make this a successful event and I can't wait for the next one. 

Michelle

Carol,
       Just for your info TIA means Transient Eschemic
Attack or in english, where a blood vesselsupplying blood to the brainbecomes blocked,temporarily, the clots then dislodge, simply from the bodie's own


mechanisms and   the symptoms go away   (Symptoms vary from numbness on one side of the body,vision changes.drooping of the mouth, etc./typical stroke symptons.)

        Another type of sroke would be a Hemorragic Stroke where the vessel rupters and leaks out into
the surrounding brain.

I hope this helps you some and doesn't confuse you more.  I have done quite a bit of research  on this
subject out of sheer curiosity.  

           Then there is the Eschemic Stroke where  the clot actually lodges in the blood vessel and causes an out an out   full blown stroke where the blood cannot get to a certain area of the brain  and causes that  area to be permanently damaged.

                                kathy a 
                                            kathy    a