They are referring to poor prognosis if you don't have surgery. Yes this is a progressive disease which can only be "fixed" with surgery. There are no alternative ways to deal with MM.
Excuse me for being blunt but surgery is the only way that you can go - without it the symptoms will just get worse and worse until something dramatic like a intercerebral haemmorage happens.
I have had both sides done and my life has never been better. I go to the gym 5 days a week for a couple of hours a day, I had another baby after my ops and am not wrapped in cotton wool - I do anything and everything I choose to - motorbike riding with my husband, undergone cosmetic surgery etc...
Don't be afraid about the "inconvenience" of surgery because this is what will save your daughter's life!
And if it takes her a year to get her life back on track - so what - at least she'll be alive!!
Find yourself a good doctor who deals with MM and I am sure you will find that he will make the "inconvenience" minimal.
I am all for alternative preventions - when my kids are sick I prefer natural remedies, but there is a point where you have to draw the line and this is that point.
Your daughter has a chance at a perfectly normal life but NOT without surgery.
Moira

Hi Beachbum,

You have to remember that MM is a progressive disease.  Without the surgery, it eventually get worse[smiley=eek.gif].  I had a sub-arachnoid hemorrhage the caused a stroke in June 2005, and after my follow-up with my original neurosurgeon, was told that I probably would not have any more strokes then I started tingling on my right side.  I started to wonder if I was having more episodes of numbness or started having TIA's.  Since having the surgeries (April 2006) I haven't had any episodes of numbness or tingling.  I walk approx. 2 miles a day (if not more) and do all kinds of sports whenever I can.  I haven't felt better.