6 month anniversary/my life/some CC

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Guess what today is? Well, today marks my 6 month and 4 1/2 month anniversary

from my surgeries! I'm actually just getting home from a long night out, I'm

past my curfew actually, my parents said they would let this one slip since I

was out celebrating, lol. I have 5 of my best friends over right now and

we're watching chick flicks and eating lots of chocolate, and having a blast!

I'm taking a few minute time out to type this.

It has been a very long and hard road, but I did it. I'm still having my

blackouts, but that is really my only major complaint. What a relief it is to

say that. My daily migraines have ceased, and its wonderful. I see my

neurologist on Tuesday, I see my cardiologist and also my neurosurgeon in a

few weeks. I'm hoping to be released to drive soon.

I started back to school 3 weeks ago, and it so amazingly awesome to be back.

I missed seeing everyone and just being silly everyday so much. My classes

are going great. I finally got my grades back from the classes I managed to

take at home during last semester and by the grace of God and some really

hard work on my part I was able to pull off a 4.0, Medical school here I

come!

I have to tell you all about a conversation I had today with my best friend's

dad, you will be so excited for me. My best friend's dad is a Cardiologist at

a big hospital in Atlanta. Today I was over at her house, with a few of my

other friends, and while they were inside getting ready to go I was hanging

out with Alan (her dad) and having " meed talk. " Anyway he was very impressed

with how interested I am in medicine.

OK, here are the exciting parts! First off I am going to go to work with him

and watch him do cardiac diagnostic tests and put in heart catheters. Also he

is arranging for me to get to watch cardiac surgery! I saved the best for

last, drumroll please, he is very good friends with the chief of neurosurgery

at the hospital, who ironically is the original neurosurgeon who diagnosed

me. OK, are you ready for this one? I get to watch neurosurgery! How

incredibly unbelievably cool is that?! I am so amazing excited, I can't even

tell you.

My friends were making so much fun of me, lol, they said they couldn't

understand anything that the two of us were talking about, lol. Everything is

just going so great for me right now. I'm so happy, it has been such a rough

year, nonetheless I am very happy that 2001 is over!

This year has taught me so many lessons, and I feel about 10 years older than

6 months ago. For everyone who is going into surgery soon, you can do it, it

is so much harder than I ever could have imagined, but you really can do it,

I'm living proof.

I know I have been more absent from the site lately, with school starting and

all. But I'm not unsubbing by any means, I'm staying around and I reply to

posts when I can. This group is the best thing that has come from all of

this. I have made so many wonderful friends that I hope to never lose touch

with.

Every single person on this list has touched me in some way, but I just have

to say a special thank you to a few people, the names are in no particular

order, and if I leave anyone out, I apologize, I still have a chiari brain

remember! To every one of you, you have lifted me up when I was down, helped

me see that there was a way through all of this, and that there is a light at

the end of every tunnel.

So I send me eternal thanks and love to each of you, and I only hope that I

can do the same for someone else. Kathleen, , Lee, Alba, Karyn,

Lillian, Janie, , , , DA, Haydee, Amy Jo, , ,

Foxy, Elena, Dawn, , Anni, Wanda, Jenn, , Betsy, Grammy, , and

everyone else on this site. All of you truly are angels on earth.

I have to get back to my " live friends " now, lol. I will write one of my more

insightful e-mails on all of the happenings later, but for now this will have

to do. I am just so happy, its so wonderful. I feel so blessed to have all of

you in my lives. Thank you again.

" Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our own wings don't remember

how to fly. "

" Angels Can Fly Because They Take Themselves Lightly... "

Joanna/Atlanta (16 years)

CM-17mm/SM-C1-T6<---Still there, but shrinking!!!

Decompressed, Duraplasty, Laminectomy-7/27/01

Dura Exploration, Staph infection Cleaning-9/8/01

Allergic to EVERYTHING!! Still having Blackouts, dizziness, etc...But

Headaches are getting Better!!! Doing lots of tests...But guess who is still

kicking and started back at school???? That's right...ME!!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Sweetie,

You are a true example of one of my favorite

sayings! " The joy is in the journey " .I love seeing you

happy,joyous and free.You are an asset to the world.I

love you.

Gentle hugs and love,

Lee

--- ZippyAngel33@... wrote:

> Hi all,

>

> Guess what today is? Well, today marks my 6 month

> and 4 1/2 month anniversary

> from my surgeries! I'm actually just getting home

> from a long night out, I'm

> past my curfew actually, my parents said they would

> let this one slip since I

> was out celebrating, lol. I have 5 of my best

> friends over right now and

> we're watching chick flicks and eating lots of

> chocolate, and having a blast!

> I'm taking a few minute time out to type this.

>

> It has been a very long and hard road, but I did it.

> I'm still having my

> blackouts, but that is really my only major

> complaint. What a relief it is to

> say that. My daily migraines have ceased, and its

> wonderful. I see my

> neurologist on Tuesday, I see my cardiologist and

> also my neurosurgeon in a

> few weeks. I'm hoping to be released to drive soon.

>

> I started back to school 3 weeks ago, and it so

> amazingly awesome to be back.

> I missed seeing everyone and just being silly

> everyday so much. My classes

> are going great. I finally got my grades back from

> the classes I managed to

> take at home during last semester and by the grace

> of God and some really

> hard work on my part I was able to pull off a 4.0,

> Medical school here I

> come!

>

> I have to tell you all about a conversation I had

> today with my best friend's

> dad, you will be so excited for me. My best friend's

> dad is a Cardiologist at

> a big hospital in Atlanta. Today I was over at her

> house, with a few of my

> other friends, and while they were inside getting

> ready to go I was hanging

> out with Alan (her dad) and having " meed talk. "

> Anyway he was very impressed

> with how interested I am in medicine.

>

> OK, here are the exciting parts! First off I am

> going to go to work with him

> and watch him do cardiac diagnostic tests and put in

> heart catheters. Also he

> is arranging for me to get to watch cardiac surgery!

> I saved the best for

> last, drumroll please, he is very good friends with

> the chief of neurosurgery

> at the hospital, who ironically is the original

> neurosurgeon who diagnosed

> me. OK, are you ready for this one? I get to watch

> neurosurgery! How

> incredibly unbelievably cool is that?! I am so

> amazing excited, I can't even

> tell you.

>

> My friends were making so much fun of me, lol, they

> said they couldn't

> understand anything that the two of us were talking

> about, lol. Everything is

> just going so great for me right now. I'm so happy,

> it has been such a rough

> year, nonetheless I am very happy that 2001 is over!

>

>

> This year has taught me so many lessons, and I feel

> about 10 years older than

> 6 months ago. For everyone who is going into surgery

> soon, you can do it, it

> is so much harder than I ever could have imagined,

> but you really can do it,

> I'm living proof.

>

> I know I have been more absent from the site lately,

> with school starting and

> all. But I'm not unsubbing by any means, I'm staying

> around and I reply to

> posts when I can. This group is the best thing that

> has come from all of

> this. I have made so many wonderful friends that I

> hope to never lose touch

> with.

>

> Every single person on this list has touched me in

> some way, but I just have

> to say a special thank you to a few people, the

> names are in no particular

> order, and if I leave anyone out, I apologize, I

> still have a chiari brain

> remember! To every one of you, you have lifted me up

> when I was down, helped

> me see that there was a way through all of this, and

> that there is a light at

> the end of every tunnel.

>

> So I send me eternal thanks and love to each of you,

> and I only hope that I

> can do the same for someone else. Kathleen, ,

> Lee, Alba, Karyn,

> Lillian, Janie, , , , DA, Haydee,

> Amy Jo, , ,

> Foxy, Elena, Dawn, , Anni, Wanda, Jenn, ,

> Betsy, Grammy, , and

> everyone else on this site. All of you truly are

> angels on earth.

>

> I have to get back to my " live friends " now, lol. I

> will write one of my more

> insightful e-mails on all of the happenings later,

> but for now this will have

> to do. I am just so happy, its so wonderful. I feel

> so blessed to have all of

> you in my lives. Thank you again.

>

> " Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our

> own wings don't remember

> how to fly. "

>

> " Angels Can Fly Because They Take Themselves

> Lightly... "

>

> Joanna/Atlanta (16 years)

> CM-17mm/SM-C1-T6<---Still there, but shrinking!!!

> Decompressed, Duraplasty, Laminectomy-7/27/01

> Dura Exploration, Staph infection Cleaning-9/8/01

> Allergic to EVERYTHING!! Still having Blackouts,

> dizziness, etc...But

> Headaches are getting Better!!! Doing lots of

> tests...But guess who is still

> kicking and started back at school???? That's

> right...ME!!!!

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

> Help section: http://www.yahoogroups.com/help/

>

> NOTE: NCC refers to posts with No Chiari Content

>

> To Unsubscribe Yourself:

> chiari-unsubscribeYahoogroups

>

> WACMA Home: www.pressenter.com/~wacma

>

> WACMA List: www.eGroups.com/group/chiari

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

Now this is one of the things I really love about this group.

Joanna, your post always makes my day, especially this one. I

couldn't be happier for anyone. You truly are one of the sweetest

and brightest 16 year olds I have ever met. I really believe that

everyday will get a little better for you and that someday, those of

us from this group will be standing in line to get a appointment

with you, A great Doctor!!

Before I found this group I always felt like I was different or

just didn't belong because my of my illness and I knew others around

me couldn't possibly understand. But now I feel so much hope and

relief and a feeling of triumph, because I know I am not alone and I

also know that my symptoms are not all in my head..lol

I have the courage to continue to look for answers and to try and

get better everyday. I have learned so much from this place and I've

also met some of the most amazing and caring people.

Though I have never seen them face to face, I feel as if I know

them and I truly care about how they are. I believe that with all

the bad things that chiari can cause, there is one good thing that

happens. We all learn to be more compasionate and caring towards

others and for that I am thankful.

Thank you Joanna for making me realize just how lucky I am and to

Lee Hala for keeping my spirits high with her inspirational emails.

I pray that everyone has a wonderful and pain free week and that

we all are safe as we face the week ahead.

Keep up the great work Joaana.. Love, Wanda

Oh by the way, please keep me in your thoughts this week. I have a

appointment tomorrow with my GP and the Neurosurgeon Wednesday. Also

my daughter has a appointment with her Doctor Tuesday to get

her MRI scheduled to see if she also has chiari.. Thanks for your

prayers..

> > Hi all,

> >

> > Guess what today is? Well, today marks my 6 month

> > and 4 1/2 month anniversary

> > from my surgeries! I'm actually just getting home

> > from a long night out, I'm

> > past my curfew actually, my parents said they would

> > let this one slip since I

> > was out celebrating, lol. I have 5 of my best

> > friends over right now and

> > we're watching chick flicks and eating lots of

> > chocolate, and having a blast!

> > I'm taking a few minute time out to type this.

> >

> > It has been a very long and hard road, but I did it.

> > I'm still having my

> > blackouts, but that is really my only major

> > complaint. What a relief it is to

> > say that. My daily migraines have ceased, and its

> > wonderful. I see my

> > neurologist on Tuesday, I see my cardiologist and

> > also my neurosurgeon in a

> > few weeks. I'm hoping to be released to drive soon.

> >

> > I started back to school 3 weeks ago, and it so

> > amazingly awesome to be back.

> > I missed seeing everyone and just being silly

> > everyday so much. My classes

> > are going great. I finally got my grades back from

> > the classes I managed to

> > take at home during last semester and by the grace

> > of God and some really

> > hard work on my part I was able to pull off a 4.0,

> > Medical school here I

> > come!

> >

> > I have to tell you all about a conversation I had

> > today with my best friend's

> > dad, you will be so excited for me. My best friend's

> > dad is a Cardiologist at

> > a big hospital in Atlanta. Today I was over at her

> > house, with a few of my

> > other friends, and while they were inside getting

> > ready to go I was hanging

> > out with Alan (her dad) and having " meed talk. "

> > Anyway he was very impressed

> > with how interested I am in medicine.

> >

> > OK, here are the exciting parts! First off I am

> > going to go to work with him

> > and watch him do cardiac diagnostic tests and put in

> > heart catheters. Also he

> > is arranging for me to get to watch cardiac surgery!

> > I saved the best for

> > last, drumroll please, he is very good friends with

> > the chief of neurosurgery

> > at the hospital, who ironically is the original

> > neurosurgeon who diagnosed

> > me. OK, are you ready for this one? I get to watch

> > neurosurgery! How

> > incredibly unbelievably cool is that?! I am so

> > amazing excited, I can't even

> > tell you.

> >

> > My friends were making so much fun of me, lol, they

> > said they couldn't

> > understand anything that the two of us were talking

> > about, lol. Everything is

> > just going so great for me right now. I'm so happy,

> > it has been such a rough

> > year, nonetheless I am very happy that 2001 is over!

> >

> >

> > This year has taught me so many lessons, and I feel

> > about 10 years older than

> > 6 months ago. For everyone who is going into surgery

> > soon, you can do it, it

> > is so much harder than I ever could have imagined,

> > but you really can do it,

> > I'm living proof.

> >

> > I know I have been more absent from the site lately,

> > with school starting and

> > all. But I'm not unsubbing by any means, I'm staying

> > around and I reply to

> > posts when I can. This group is the best thing that

> > has come from all of

> > this. I have made so many wonderful friends that I

> > hope to never lose touch

> > with.

> >

> > Every single person on this list has touched me in

> > some way, but I just have

> > to say a special thank you to a few people, the

> > names are in no particular

> > order, and if I leave anyone out, I apologize, I

> > still have a chiari brain

> > remember! To every one of you, you have lifted me up

> > when I was down, helped

> > me see that there was a way through all of this, and

> > that there is a light at

> > the end of every tunnel.

> >

> > So I send me eternal thanks and love to each of you,

> > and I only hope that I

> > can do the same for someone else. Kathleen, ,

> > Lee, Alba, Karyn,

> > Lillian, Janie, , , , DA, Haydee,

> > Amy Jo, , ,

> > Foxy, Elena, Dawn, , Anni, Wanda, Jenn, ,

> > Betsy, Grammy, , and

> > everyone else on this site. All of you truly are

> > angels on earth.

> >

> > I have to get back to my " live friends " now, lol. I

> > will write one of my more

> > insightful e-mails on all of the happenings later,

> > but for now this will have

> > to do. I am just so happy, its so wonderful. I feel

> > so blessed to have all of

> > you in my lives. Thank you again.

> >

> > " Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our

> > own wings don't remember

> > how to fly. "

> >

> > " Angels Can Fly Because They Take Themselves

> > Lightly... "

> >

> > Joanna/Atlanta (16 years)

> > CM-17mm/SM-C1-T6<---Still there, but shrinking!!!

> > Decompressed, Duraplasty, Laminectomy-7/27/01

> > Dura Exploration, Staph infection Cleaning-9/8/01

> > Allergic to EVERYTHING!! Still having Blackouts,

> > dizziness, etc...But

> > Headaches are getting Better!!! Doing lots of

> > tests...But guess who is still

> > kicking and started back at school???? That's

> > right...ME!!!!

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

> > Help section: http://www.yahoogroups.com/help/

> >

> > NOTE: NCC refers to posts with No Chiari Content

> >

> > To Unsubscribe Yourself:

> > chiari-unsubscribe@Y...

> >

> > WACMA Home: www.pressenter.com/~wacma

> >

> > WACMA List: www.eGroups.com/group/chiari

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

Now this is one of the things I really love about this group.

Joanna, your post always makes my day, especially this one. I

couldn't be happier for anyone. You truly are one of the sweetest

and brightest 16 year olds I have ever met. I really believe that

everyday will get a little better for you and that someday, those of

us from this group will be standing in line to get a appointment

with you, A great Doctor!!

Before I found this group I always felt like I was different or

just didn't belong because my of my illness and I knew others around

me couldn't possibly understand. But now I feel so much hope and

relief and a feeling of triumph, because I know I am not alone and I

also know that my symptoms are not all in my head..lol

I have the courage to continue to look for answers and to try and

get better everyday. I have learned so much from this place and I've

also met some of the most amazing and caring people.

Though I have never seen them face to face, I feel as if I know

them and I truly care about how they are. I believe that with all

the bad things that chiari can cause, there is one good thing that

happens. We all learn to be more compasionate and caring towards

others and for that I am thankful.

Thank you Joanna for making me realize just how lucky I am and to

Lee Hala for keeping my spirits high with her inspirational emails.

I pray that everyone has a wonderful and pain free week and that

we all are safe as we face the week ahead.

Keep up the great work Joaana.. Love, Wanda

Oh by the way, please keep me in your thoughts this week. I have a

appointment tomorrow with my GP and the Neurosurgeon Wednesday. Also

my daughter has a appointment with her Doctor Tuesday to get

her MRI scheduled to see if she also has chiari.. Thanks for your

prayers..

> > Hi all,

> >

> > Guess what today is? Well, today marks my 6 month

> > and 4 1/2 month anniversary

> > from my surgeries! I'm actually just getting home

> > from a long night out, I'm

> > past my curfew actually, my parents said they would

> > let this one slip since I

> > was out celebrating, lol. I have 5 of my best

> > friends over right now and

> > we're watching chick flicks and eating lots of

> > chocolate, and having a blast!

> > I'm taking a few minute time out to type this.

> >

> > It has been a very long and hard road, but I did it.

> > I'm still having my

> > blackouts, but that is really my only major

> > complaint. What a relief it is to

> > say that. My daily migraines have ceased, and its

> > wonderful. I see my

> > neurologist on Tuesday, I see my cardiologist and

> > also my neurosurgeon in a

> > few weeks. I'm hoping to be released to drive soon.

> >

> > I started back to school 3 weeks ago, and it so

> > amazingly awesome to be back.

> > I missed seeing everyone and just being silly

> > everyday so much. My classes

> > are going great. I finally got my grades back from

> > the classes I managed to

> > take at home during last semester and by the grace

> > of God and some really

> > hard work on my part I was able to pull off a 4.0,

> > Medical school here I

> > come!

> >

> > I have to tell you all about a conversation I had

> > today with my best friend's

> > dad, you will be so excited for me. My best friend's

> > dad is a Cardiologist at

> > a big hospital in Atlanta. Today I was over at her

> > house, with a few of my

> > other friends, and while they were inside getting

> > ready to go I was hanging

> > out with Alan (her dad) and having " meed talk. "

> > Anyway he was very impressed

> > with how interested I am in medicine.

> >

> > OK, here are the exciting parts! First off I am

> > going to go to work with him

> > and watch him do cardiac diagnostic tests and put in

> > heart catheters. Also he

> > is arranging for me to get to watch cardiac surgery!

> > I saved the best for

> > last, drumroll please, he is very good friends with

> > the chief of neurosurgery

> > at the hospital, who ironically is the original

> > neurosurgeon who diagnosed

> > me. OK, are you ready for this one? I get to watch

> > neurosurgery! How

> > incredibly unbelievably cool is that?! I am so

> > amazing excited, I can't even

> > tell you.

> >

> > My friends were making so much fun of me, lol, they

> > said they couldn't

> > understand anything that the two of us were talking

> > about, lol. Everything is

> > just going so great for me right now. I'm so happy,

> > it has been such a rough

> > year, nonetheless I am very happy that 2001 is over!

> >

> >

> > This year has taught me so many lessons, and I feel

> > about 10 years older than

> > 6 months ago. For everyone who is going into surgery

> > soon, you can do it, it

> > is so much harder than I ever could have imagined,

> > but you really can do it,

> > I'm living proof.

> >

> > I know I have been more absent from the site lately,

> > with school starting and

> > all. But I'm not unsubbing by any means, I'm staying

> > around and I reply to

> > posts when I can. This group is the best thing that

> > has come from all of

> > this. I have made so many wonderful friends that I

> > hope to never lose touch

> > with.

> >

> > Every single person on this list has touched me in

> > some way, but I just have

> > to say a special thank you to a few people, the

> > names are in no particular

> > order, and if I leave anyone out, I apologize, I

> > still have a chiari brain

> > remember! To every one of you, you have lifted me up

> > when I was down, helped

> > me see that there was a way through all of this, and

> > that there is a light at

> > the end of every tunnel.

> >

> > So I send me eternal thanks and love to each of you,

> > and I only hope that I

> > can do the same for someone else. Kathleen, ,

> > Lee, Alba, Karyn,

> > Lillian, Janie, , , , DA, Haydee,

> > Amy Jo, , ,

> > Foxy, Elena, Dawn, , Anni, Wanda, Jenn, ,

> > Betsy, Grammy, , and

> > everyone else on this site. All of you truly are

> > angels on earth.

> >

> > I have to get back to my " live friends " now, lol. I

> > will write one of my more

> > insightful e-mails on all of the happenings later,

> > but for now this will have

> > to do. I am just so happy, its so wonderful. I feel

> > so blessed to have all of

> > you in my lives. Thank you again.

> >

> > " Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our

> > own wings don't remember

> > how to fly. "

> >

> > " Angels Can Fly Because They Take Themselves

> > Lightly... "

> >

> > Joanna/Atlanta (16 years)

> > CM-17mm/SM-C1-T6<---Still there, but shrinking!!!

> > Decompressed, Duraplasty, Laminectomy-7/27/01

> > Dura Exploration, Staph infection Cleaning-9/8/01

> > Allergic to EVERYTHING!! Still having Blackouts,

> > dizziness, etc...But

> > Headaches are getting Better!!! Doing lots of

> > tests...But guess who is still

> > kicking and started back at school???? That's

> > right...ME!!!!

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

> > Help section: http://www.yahoogroups.com/help/

> >

> > NOTE: NCC refers to posts with No Chiari Content

> >

> > To Unsubscribe Yourself:

> > chiari-unsubscribe@Y...

> >

> > WACMA Home: www.pressenter.com/~wacma

> >

> > WACMA List: www.eGroups.com/group/chiari

> >

> >

> >