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Hi guys, I just wrote this scripted letter because I will be going silent again as there are certainly some issues happening in my life right now.Hope all is shimmery and bright on your side...my big hugs to you dear friends.

Hmmm, where do I start? The fact that typing each and every word in the following sentences are being written 3 to 4 times each…is my personal challenge, I will try and limit my words.

Where have I been and what have I been doing?

In summary (only joking) I was in a plane crash….then a horrible car accident and now I am on a cruise ship heading into a hurricane….confused? So am I… and also overwhelmed.

I had a bad virus about 7 weeks ago that caused me to have an emergency acute Pericarditis (inflammation and Fluid retention around the heart) that was the plane crash. I spent a week in the hospital while they drained fluid from my heart and both lungs and gave me steroids to stop the inflammation.

I left the hospital and thought I was on the road to recovery….not quiet…here is the horrible car crash. I started deteriorating badly while on vacation in Chicago. I was in congestive heart failure due to the Pericardium membrane had become scarred and thickened and was now, not allowing my heart to expand. I rushed back to Akron on an emergency flight and was re-admitted into the hospital. Lots of attention and tests including having a Heart Catheterization which confirmed that I needed an emergency Pericardectomy operation. I now no longer have a pericardium membrane and instead I have a lovely ten inch scar down the middle of my chest from heart surgery. I spent over two weeks on the heart-ward. I came home today…..but I will be going back on Monday to start my cruise ship into the hurricane.

During one of the operations, I had two mini strokes which is effecting my fine motor skills….i.e. the difficulty typing (this is taking me 2 hours….but I suppose it as a physical therapy and will help me towards my recovery) Because of the strokes, they ordered more tests including MRI’s and MRA (arteries) that led to finding a more ominous problem (can it really get worse?) They now ordered an angiogram catheter to probe my brain and found that BOTH my major cerebral arteries of the brain are over 75% blocked and I am having severe occlusive disease at the base of my skull called vaculitis(sp?)

I will probably be checked into the Cleveland Clinic or the University Hospital System in

Cleveland early this week, as we are mobilizing to find the most qualified Neuro/vascular surgeon in the area. My previous surgeries were at Summa (City hospital in Akron)

Most likely, we will place shunts in those arteries….however, there is a possibility that I might respond favorably to immno suppressants and be able to forgo a dangerous surgery. These are the events that we are currently right in the middle of and will be determined as events unfold. I am in good spirits and actually feeling very grateful that we were able to realize something bigger was looming in the shadows. I am blessed and looking forward to facing this head on. There are still many unanswered questions….like what’s caused this process? Are they related in some way? Possibly and possibly it is some sort of auto-immune (my body is attacking itself) those answers will all be addressed as time passes new pieces of the puzzle come together.

I will keep you informed, meanwhile, please keep my in your thoughts and prayers.

Smiles and hugs, Diane

Oh...and yes I am still losing wt....although it seems irrelivant.....It is probably a positive towards my overall recovery and I need every positive right now !!!!

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Diane:

I am new here, so don't know you, but that isn't a pre-requisite for sharing some empathy. My prayers are also with you and your family. I truly believe the most powerful healing can be accomplished through the power of positive thinking. Help your doctors help you by visualizing yourself healthy again and I KNOW you will achieve it together.

Sending lots of warm thoughts your way....

Charlotte

My nurses have already dicovered that I am not their "usual" patient......I was being a prankster from the get go.

I had one of the nurses wheel me over to a "write-on board" down in the radiology department so I could leave some graffiti behind, then left the elevator with a few extra floors pushed....& told her let's take the long route and have some fun! she was cracking up.....everyone on my ward was white haired and eldery heart patients.....but hey I am only 45......so it was my job to liven things up!!!!

thanks for the positive thoughts.....smiles...diane :0

Wow, Diane, you have been through a train wreck! One thing often leads to the discovery of another, it seems, but it all is in the service of better health. Good luck for a quick, peaceful, and uneventful COMPLETE recovery!! We're all pulling for you.

Diane, you are such a brave lady! I will pray for a speedy recovery.

I'm sending lots of love and prayers your way, Diane. Love your wonderful sense of humor! What a visual-chewing gum that way.

Wishing you the best. Keep us updated. Celeste

Diane I don't have words that will help, I am just so sorry to read this, and will say a prayer for you. I wish you all the best. :cry

Dear Diane,

I am so sorry to hear about your medical crisis. I don't know if I could handle one of those problems let alone several you have had to deal with. I am so amazed at how certain individuals handle so many difficult obstacles in their life and confront them in such a take charge manner. I am sure you are very scared but you sound so brave and ready to take this head on. That in itself is probably one of the most important obstacles to overcome.

I wish you the very best and will pray for a speedy recovery for you.

Dawn

Diane,

I've only been here at LBT for a month or so...and so I don't think we've officially "met". I am so sorry to hear of your extreme situation and will put you on my prayer list...Please do take care of yourself.

Oh Dianne!

I'm so very sorry to hear about this. I will keep you in my thoughts. ((((hugs))))

Oh, and you keep them on their toes!

Dianne,

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through all of that. I will keep you in my prayers. I'm pretty new here, so I don't think we've met yet, but I can't help but have a heavy heart after reading all that you are dealing with.

Hi Diane ~ It's so good to hear you in such good humor. :biggrin1: Where would be be without a good laugh? Keep those hospital people on their toes and give them a few things to talk about. Hey, you could do what my mom did one time.....buy a little sewing kit at the gift shop and make your hospital gown a "mini-gown". You are so creative that I'm sure you will come up with lots of fun things.

So, who's feeding the family? Domino's? Have any of your kids picked up on your love of cooking?

Please let us know when you do go in for the operation. I know you said early this week. I will contact Robin.....not sure if anyone else has done it yet. Take care my friend!!

BTW, loved the chewing gum joke....too cute!!

FYI....I sent a PM to Robin.

It is Monday morning and I am hoping that I will know in the next couple of hrs if I can be seen today by the Neuro Guru. The waiting is horrible. I have a sharp blade hanging by a thread over my head and we need someone to make it a titanium cable really fast!

I am still positive, but certainly anxious to get the process moving.

Hmmm the mini gown....I like that.....I will make one for my daughter's doll and put the doll in the hospital bed with me! OR maybe a stuffed animal (softer)

anyone and everyone is cooking in my house.....except me! I am trying to get all the bills and paperwork in some sort of order.....and we filed an extention on our taxes....so I am in paperwork overload!

Some friends have sent food, my husband is learning a few dishes....over the weekend he did a great BBQ! And yes, thank God for telephones and pizza delivery! No one will suffer from lack of food here. I have a girl staying/sleeping in the house....so there is always an adult to oversee the twins and to help with the general continuity of the house. My Hubby is back in Toledo 2hrs away ....he won't be back until Friday Night. Maybe we would schedule things for next week when he can be here.....or if it warrants surgery sooner...he will of course travel back.

Well, that's it until I speak to the big docs (I hope today...and Then maybe some questions answered)

hugs and smiles.....Diane : )

Diane my prayers are with you and as you stated in your letter, you are blessed and highly favored. Stay in prayer and with God. It makes your heart lighter and things a little bit easier to deal with. Your continued weight loss is not irrelivent because you might as well look good in a hospital gown while you are there.

Hugggsssss to you and I am so glad you have allowed us into your life.