Got two AVM News... well one and a half...

February Fun

Hello to all of my friends, family, and fellow AVM'ers! I haven't updated in a while but have a few things to share!


First I will start off by saying that I completed trip #12 in Denver, and everything went well. I feel good. I feel more like myself than I have in a long while. I finally am starting to feel like a "normal" person again. No longer in constant pain, no longer so worried about bleeding. And boy, is it a relief! I am confident that these treatments are working, and I'm pleased with the progress I have made in the past year. I have no doubt that I am on the right course and just need to stay steady and strong.


You can read my entire trip report on my website here. It was a good trip and I got to meet up with Allison again and this time her mom Jody as well. Also, I had a surprise when Sharon, another woman I met through my website, was also in for treatment the same day. I posted "glamour shots" with both girls in our fashionable hospital gowns! I really need to get a move on making something a little more flattering to wear on the next trip!


The weekend before we left for Denver, Josh and I met up with Camellia and her family for a Tea Party! It was great to meet them after emailing so often with Margie. The girls are beautiful and both very delightful! They played dress up a little with the fun stuff at the tea place (so did Dad!) Camellia ordered Bubble Gum tea (seriously made with bubble gum!) and Serene had Tutti Fruity which she added just the right amount of milk to, in order to create the perfect PINK tea! It was nice to connect with them in person. I think we will definately keep in close contact with this family for years to come!

And finally, I wanted to just update about the upcoming AVM Awareness Walk in May. Details are coming together and I just need to register for the walk and get my donations page up and running. I hope that many of you will be able to join me in person and enjoy a beautiful day in the city, walking at Crissy Fields for something that is obviously very important to me!

As always, thanks to everyone for your continued support, encouragement, and love!

Shalon
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And a half....
Transcranial doppler study of cerebral arteriovenous malformations after gamma knife radiosurgery
Park S-H et al. - These results suggest that AVM vessels with high Vm and low PI values return to normal as the nidus of the AVM is obliterated after GKS. Although there was a trend toward a reduction of the Vm values after obliteration, this trend was not significant, except when the <>
go read... from here
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I now I put music where I normally put AVM books...

but I had a day that needs this...
It was rough... no bad but rough non-the-less.
Have some youtube ...


the beatles - HELTER SKELTER
Wow I had forgotten how bad that was....


The Beatles - I Am The Walrus
There that is better...


Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

yep, it is a beadle's kida' day...



okay that's enough. Gotta go... gotta try posting on my other blog... C-Ya!

avm nEWS...

nOT mE... BUT WORTH a Read.

A Few Thoughts on the Eve of Leaving

On the evening before leaving for Rochester (Sat.) I wanted to jot down a few thoughts while I’m still thinking about them.

• I have an excellent wife. Proverbs 31:10 says “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” The answer to the first question is: I did (by God’s Providence). The only thing I can say about the second sentence is: Yes, my wife is worth more to me than the sum total of the earth’s wealth. Thanks Karla for your faith, your strength, your beauty, your commitment to mothering, your commitment to teaching our children, and for your partnership in the Gospel ministry. I love you much!
• I am very tired of talking about my brain surgery. I’m tired of thinking about my brain surgery. Talking about one’s brain is very personal. It’s not like we’re talking here about getting a few warts removed from one’s foot. Maybe it’s not really such a good thing to publicly share such personal information. Before the techno age not many talked publicly about such things. Is nothing sacred anymore? This I think in one moment while in the next I am reminded again and again of the multi-faceted, glorious working of God in all things for His own glory and my own joy. So, I’ve decided to keep typing.
• So many things to do and no way to get them all done. But, tomorrow afternoon we leave anyway and I’m sure whatever didn’t get done didn’t really need to get done anyway.
• The tears flow easily these days…more often than I have ever known before. I’m not sure why really. I’m not afraid. I am a bit unnerved I suppose. But really, I am not afraid. I’ve known fear before. As a young kid I remember once being at home alone and thinking that someone had broken into the house. I hid underneath a bed until I heard the sweet voices of my parents. I see life these days as they really are: fragile.
• The Bible tells it like it is. Jesus’ half brother James wrote in 4:13-14 “Come now, you who say, ‘today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

• A pastor friend of mine has a 15 year old niece who has enjoyed excellent health. A couple of weeks ago she came down with what the family thought was the flu. After being sick for a couple of days they took her to the hospital, found her dehydrated and gave her two units of fluid. Her blood pressure was also way down. After being rehydrated her b.p. improved slightly. She returned home.

  Five hours later her parents brough her back to the E.R. and then a children’s hospital. She now had a high temperature and her body literally began to shut down. The major organs were beginning to fail. She was dying. They put her into a drug induced coma for three days. A week ago Thursday the medical staff went to turn her over when she reached out and yanked the ventilator out of her throat…and thankfully began to breathe on her own. She was diagnosed with Toxic Shock Syndrome and is slowly recovering. Apparently this deadly bacteria can enter through any bodily orifice…as simple as rubbing one eye with one finger. Thankfully she is now doing much better.

• Hundreds of you, and others who don’t even have computers have, with all sincerity, offered to do anything for us during these days. I know every offer is sincere. Here is one thing each of you can do. Instead of worrying yourselves sick over this whole drama I would ask that you turn in your Bibles to Psalm 27. Read through the 14 verses of this chapter, think about the implications. If David’s words express the truth of your own heart, then may it first be a balm for your soul. Then please pray it for us as well. That’s what I would ask for you to do for us! Oh yes, and also keep the responses coming. I see and read everyone…with joy!

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Now Me.
I wound up with a headache yesterday. A mean one... and I was having such a good time. (NOT).

I still have a bit of one today.
I hate when that happens.

I will end up taken of nap... oh so good.
I emailed my resume off to someone. We'll see.

Have you ever noticed that I start alot of my sentences with "I"... I need to get over that.
Now some youtube...


A little Beatles for you....



Okay a little more... While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

If you go to youtube they have a bunch of Beatles stuff there....
Be good....
R

Avm News... not mine

Not Me... but a real good post.

Mel's case updated 01

I brought Mel for check-up on 3/2/2009, we reached Tawakal Hospital 12:30pm which the appointment has booked before CNY. We were waiting for around 30 minutes in order to see the doctor. Just because the doctor went to ward visiting.

To be honest, Mel was prepared for the admission to do the angiogram test, and the doctor told us is only 3 weeks the case happen, and worry about the blood clot still unclear, it is better to wait for another week. And next appointment is booked. I'm just curious, since if he knows the test only can be done after 4 weeks, why is he put an appointment after 3 weeks? And RM150 is paid for the short consultation.

He did mention after the angiogram, and it depends on the report, maybe send her to Ampang Puteri Hospital to do the Embolization.

I have done some survey about the embolization:

What is Embolization?

Embolization is a technique in which the blood vessels of the AVM are plugged with non-reactive glue. Under x-ray a catheter is guided from the femoral artery in the leg into the area to be treated. This is repeated for each vessel that feeds the AVM. Patients sometimes require this procedure to be repeated. This method is frequently combined with other treatments. Although embolization can be a complete and successful treatment in its own right; there are occasions when it's not possible to completely manage an aVM with this treatment. In this instance, embolizatin is used as a precautionary measure to reduce risk to the patient whilst undergoing other procedures.

Occiptal AVM before embolization (L) and after embolization (R)

Occipital AVM before embolization (L) and after embolization (R)

What are the Side Effects?

Every patient is different. Some minor side effects maybe observed shortly after embolization of na AVM by some patients, but most feel perfectly fine. The side effects are usually temporary and should subside within a few days to weeks.

Headaches are not infrequently reported. They will usually subside, but if they are persistent, the doctor will prescribe a short course of medication and this will usually take away the headache.

Other possible complications include stroke like symptoms such as weakness in one arm or leg, numbness, tingling, speech disturbances and visual problems. The risk of embolization is low for serious complications such as permanent stroke or death. The estimated risk should be discussed with your doctor.

Bleeding After Embolization Treatment

It is important for you to know that embolization will not usually completely close off an AVM. A person may still bleed from an AVM in such a case. It is not known whether or not partial embolization treatment reduces the risk of future bleeding.

What are the Advantages of Embolization Treatment?

• Embolization is very useful in making the AVM smaller in size in order to be suitable for radiation treatment.
• Embolization is very useful to reduce the blood flow through the AVM just before surgery. This makes it much easier for the surgeon to remove the AVM.
• Can be early repeated and staged.
• Chances of a cure with embolization alone are about 20%.
• No open surgical procedure.
• Short hospital stay.

What are the Disadvantages?

• This form of treatment can only be done if the AVM is made up of vessels that can be reached with the catheters.
• Multiple sessions may be required.
• There is a small chance of a stroke in about 1-3% occurring as the result of the treatment.
• The chance of bleeding every year in a partially treated AVMs is likely reduced by embolization, but not eliminated.
  

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He seems to be straight about the head.... too bad that is not what they say about me....

I got no news when it comes to my favorite subject... me. I still manage to have a bit of a cold... yuck.
And I'm tired.... gonna go back to bad.... uuuuuuummmmm bed!!!!
on that note.... off I go.




Yesterday.


All You Need Is Love - The Beatles


The Beatles Hello Goodbye

There are some really good videos of the Beatles on youtube... go give the a look....

HI!!! X2

ya ya ya I got nothing in the avm dept.
I looks like there aren't any this time of year... oh I wish.
I have a b-day to celebrate tomorrow. I is mt oldest G-son... he will be 13!

I gotta go... Talk to you latter.
----
Later...
Hello,
I thought I would have some avm stuff to share with you... but I was wrong... I still got nothing.
What was Duke doing? I should go look it up.

I bet it was something sexual.
ha ha ha!

Now that this blog has gotten International attention I probable should write it on another blog. No?

Ah well things to think about...

For now have some youtube...


Blackbird... The Beatles


Madonna...


Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy

Finally...

Mr. Mister - Broken Wings

ok so that is today... No avms! Ok music... and you!
I like the you part!
so now let me sell you some stuff.





You know I don't expect you to buy nothing... kiss kiss.

That last one was for ##### so don't get so emotional.
Bye for now...
R

oops!

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too bad he got money!
but I say good for her!

me?
i aint too bad... i am board, but otherwise i am fine.

i'm a feeling real groovy...




bullshit

but it sure sounds better than the truth....

oh well...

i feel like i have had a stoke... oh well.


i think i am getting better... so that has to count for something.


wana buy something?



yea!
the beatles...


oh thats funny!
it is a prison.
oh thats rich!!!!

",500 plus CPDRC inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Cebu, Philippines at practice! This is not the final routine, and definitely not a punishment! just a teaser."