Hi lsuvia,

Wow, it's been a while!  Welcome back!    I'm so glad to hear that you've been assertive and following up with your symptoms with Dr. Steinberg.  As you know, there are many "strains"/forms/types of MM.  I was told that the "mainland" form of MM differs from that of the Korean and Japanese MM.  Nonethess, MM is MM, and we still need to raise awareness of this "rare" disease.

Whatever form you have, you are in great hands.  I am not a patient of Dr. Steinberg, but I'm sure one of his patients will respond to your post.  You can also read through previous threads to see how their visit went.  As you know, every situation/case is different, so the length of time, restrictions pre and post surgery, etc. may also be different.  I am sure that you will be greeted by the hostess with mostess...Jill (gotchlorine).  I keep reading about how she, Tara and their family are great when it comes to meeting patients and welcoming them to Stanford, providing support, etc.    It is especially appreciated when you are away from home...

Please know that we'll be here to support you as well.  Ask any other questions you may have.  You'll be in our  's, thoughts and prayers...

Take care,
Shan

Hi Lee,

Yes, it's good to see you back, and I'm VERY glad you've pursued treatment with your MM (albeit a variance!).

Your questions are good ones, but unfortunately much is individualized, as things can be different from person to person.  As far as traveling, I think either flying or driving is do-able, but unless you plan to rent a car, it might be a good idea to drive so transportation isn't an issue while you're here.  There is a current surgery patient from the Los Angeles area, who drove home with her parents following her first surgery.  She returns in a few weeks for her second.  You might want to talk with them about their traveling experience.  Her mom's screen name here is "tingxindan".  After surgery, side effects can be varied.  They may include headache, blurred vision, nausea - it depends on a myriad of things, like a patient's tolerance to anesthesia, etc.  Dr. Steinberg usually does direct bypasses on adult patients.  There is alot of information here on this site about this surgery under Medical Info.  Pain:  This also differs from patient to patient.  My daughter's pain was minimal after each of her surgeries, but I've definitely seen a range of this, as well.

Sorry to not be more specific, but I wouldn't want to create false expectations or mislead you in any way.  What's important is that you're taking care of the problem.  You'll be in great hands - Dr. Steinberg and the staff at Stanford are wonderful, and as I've said before, their experience and expertise are unmatched.  I know the prospect of surgery is frightening but, like you said, one really does feel like a timebomb after coming to understand the condition.  I have complete faith that all will be well with you!

We would love to be of support to you and your family before you come and while you are here.  It's a heck of a way to get to northern California, and not really much of a vacation, but we'll do our best to make your stay here pleasant (we live about 25 minutes from Stanford).  If you haven't had the benefit of meeting other MM patients, it may help you to meet my daughter, Tara.  Seeing her in such robust health has proven to be very inspirational for people! 

Anyway, I won't make this any longer.  If you'd like to talk on the phone, please send a pm and we can exchange #s.  (My husband was born on Coronado and grew up in San Diego, so is asking what part of SD you live in.)

Hang in there, and we'll look forward to speaking with you!

Warmly,
Jill

   

Hi Lee,

I just saw your post about PM'ing Jill, and thought I'd help if you don't mind, and also let you know you'll be in my thoughts and prayers. You'll do great, I'm sure. Just think Lee... You've got all the MM family praying for ya, from all over the world, and the best doctor in the world, and the best staff for handling this surgery, and Jill, and her family are just a blessing. Ya gotta love all that on your side!!

As far as PMing someone...You just click on the name (I D) of whoever it is you want to send a PM, (private message) to, and it will take you to there "profile page", and at the bottom of the page, it will say, "send this person a private message" Then when you click on it, you'll see your very own mailbox and go from there.

Once again... we'll be with you in spirit, the whole time.

Mar

It's been a long time since my MM surgeries but the one thing I remember after those surgeries was the nausea that came after it.  It's not fun being sick but bear with it and you'll be up and running in no time.  Best of luck!