Cerebral artery surgery - request for a friend

Most surely  ... they do such awsome things with that sort of surgery these days. 
 
Many years ago, my best friend in jr high/high school had something called Fredrich's Ataxia (which is sort of a congenital kind of MS).  This was years before such things as the Americans with Disabilities Act or "handicapped-accessible" ANYTHING.  Much of who I am as an adult was molded by the fact that my best friend was incapable of "doing" the things other folks do, and she had to live her life very differently.  Today they do awesome things for people with FA, but I lost Debbie 22 years ago. 
 
Being a friend to someone with limitations is difficult -- because I can guarantee she doesn't want YOU to 'worry' about her, and she doesn't want to HEAR it either. 
 
so I do understand ... and I will lift her in good thoughts and prayers. 
 
The body is a marvelous thing -- it wouldn't suprise me at all to find the body had re-routed around an atrophied blood vessel.   But thankfully they are keeping track of it. 
 
Is she an animal lover?  Billy and the rest could give you a bunch of emails to take to her!

Paige - I'll definitely be saying prayers for your friend's procedure on the 2nd.  Like you, I can't imagine how frightening this must be.  My best friend had back surgery in November and I was so terribly worried about her.  I knew how important she was to me, but going thru that really made me realize how devastated I'd be if something happened to her.  She was fine and I hope things go as smoothly for your friend.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend. I will be thinking and praying for her on April 2nd that everything goes well during the surgery.

You have my prayers for your friend, bless her heart.

Positive thoughts and vibes for your friend and her cerebral health.

What a scary thing to have to go through.  I can't even imagine what that would be like ... to be awake for something like that and know what they were doing.  Positive thoughts, good vibes and prayers coming your way from us.
 
Joyce

I'll be praying for your friend too.

I am sending prayers and pap kisses.What is her name?

Thanks everyone.  Her name is Melissa (although she also goes by Alyssa). She has a teenage step-daughter (at just 30 herself!) and two kids under age 10 - boy and a girl.  She seems to be keeping her sense of humor about things, posting this pic with the title, "Why am I missing an artery??" 
Here's what she's posted for her friends:




Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 6:21 PM

Ok.....Let's go find that dang artery!!!!!!


Update......
I finally heard from my doctor. I am going to be admitted into Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham on Monday, April 2nd. I will go into surgery Tuesday morning. I'm not real sure what is going to happen. They are going to go in and try to find my artery. If it is still there they will insert a stent to open the artery back up. In a sense I'm curious as to what will happen if I start getting the full amount of blood to the left side of my brain. That hasn't happened in years. As most of you are probably aware, when you don't get enough blood to your brain it causes severe fatigue. I've been fatigued for years now, and I would LOVE to have energy again. But of course, finding the artery and putting in a stent is still the worst case scenario. The best case scenario would be to find that the artery has actually shut down and my body has found a new way to get blood flow to the areas of my brain that need it. I don't know what is going to happen and I don't know when I'll get out of the hospital. I just wanted give everyone an update. To all of my friends...thank you so much for being there for me. I love y'all!
Thanks again, all! I am so pleased to tell her there's a circle of good energy and prayers coming from this powerful group.  It's a comfort.

Please tell your friend that we're praying for her too...
 
 

Prayers for both you and Alyssa from FL. 

I'm late seeing this news about your friend's upcoming surgery.  What an amazing photo she posted with her message.  It sounds like she's in good spirits.  I can't imagine how it would feel to be facing such a surgery.  From things I've heard and read, I think the brain can adjust to injuries in one area by making another area learn to compensate for it, and younger brains are even better at doing this than older ones.  Let's hope your friend's age and attitude have played a major role in helping her health and that the surgeon(s) have excellent news to report after the procedure.  Sending good vibes to her and her family, who I'm sure are equally worried.  Keep us posted.

Paige - Just wanted to check and see how the procedure for your friend went today. I hope it all went smoothly.  

She posted an update that it was post-poned by the doctors until the 10th.  Will keep you all updated - thank you again for thinking of her in your prayers!