Well I am happy to jump in and say "good news"....it is good news...right?

To hear your MCA is actually open is great news...the fact that what you do have might not be progressive...and that the collaterals are in excellent shape and not a hemorraging risk is very comforting!

But where to go from here is the real question, you may still need some re-vascularization as you do have flow issues. The fact that you produced collaterals in the first place...is your bodies response to needing more blood oxygen to your brain. That still troubles me.

Glad to hear you are done and now resting with Olga at home. Keep us posted on what the docs will suggest for you....as the ultimate point here is to get you into a safe and healthy zone! Reducing sx's and  feeling better will be on that list too!

best wishes....Diane   : )

Lore and Diane

Good points.....

Lets see, at 16 (ok 21 years ago) I had a bad bicycle accident. I was in a race, had my front wheel lock up at about 20 miles an hour (slight downhill) over the handlebar, did the tuck and roll thing, but landed on my left should, neck and head...out cold, came too in a few seconds, busted collar bone....major headache. Welcome back to 1986, the only test was x-rays for the shoulder/collar bone/skull....headache was never considered but lasted for days.....at 18 major concussion playing hockey (I was goally), took the puck in the left temple area of my helmet....busted helmet...out cold...x-ray, no damage to skull....there are a few other examples, but too long to write.

Per the conversations with the doctors (more to come next week once my NYC drs review), it appears that a AVM disection can occur at any time....from the sounds of it, (remember I am not a doctor) the healing process sounds a bit like a plaque build up on arterial walls....gradually getting smaller over time until it stablizes. But what they can't tell is how thick the artery wall is, as the angio only shows the space where the blood is flowing. Needless to say, I have a lot to learn on this subject.....learned a lot about MM, now I need to continue the education.

The doc did say that the collarterals are their just to get the right amount of blood to the brain. Based on the CT-Perfussion study and my TCD, the left side is getting all of the blood that it needs, just with a slight time delay over the right side.

So, until I hear from the doctors in NYC, the current treatment plan is to remain on plavix to keep the blood flowing (ok to keep the platlets from sticking) and routine TCD's or CT-Perfussion studies to keep an eye on the blood flow to make sure that everything is still getting there (in other words generate a good base line for future comparisons). Also requesting MRA's to make sure that they can see the arteries.

They are not recommendign stents at this point in time, as the doctors are not aware of stenting being done on a cerebral artery with a disections (and lucky for me, my docs don't want to be the first to attempt...just in case something goes wrong  ). They also do not recommend any by-pass surgeries at this time, but would recommend if the blood flow worsens, TIA's occur or I start rejecting plavix. (Sounds a little like a CYA statement to me).

Lets just say, that I am not going to sit still. I'm waiting for my NYC doctors to confirm or offer other suggestions. And, yes, the films will be sent to a few other doctors for more opinions.

The game is not over...its just starting....

Today, I am home relaxing, and enjoying the beautiful weather.......

Greg

Hi Greg, I'm glad you have that angio done, hope you hear from doctor soon, keep inform when you have result.

Kieu

Moira,

The motor biek is up and running. This past Saturday, I actually bit the bullet, got the bike running (again) and went for my first long ride in nearly four years. Actually its only my third ride in four years, but the first two were only around my block. Saturday's ride went for nearly an hour, however, I was never more than a few miles from home as I kept driving in circles just to be "safe". But I will say, it felt SOOOOO GOOD to be back on the bike.

Although I did enjoy the ride, it did remind me of the many good motorcycle rides....and it also reminded me that this was the first time that Olga has seen me ride it. I think she was more neverous than I.

Keep the sunny side up,
Greg