Moyamoya Round II
Seven years ago, I had 2 strokes and was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease. Moyamoya is rare neurovascular disease that causes the arteries in your brain to stenose (harden and close) for no apparent reason. As you body fights to restore blood flow to your brain it develops tiny blood vessels that appear on an MRI as a "puff of smoke" or Moyamoya in the Japanese language. These collateral vessels are extremely fragile and cannot provide the blood flow your brain desperately needs. As a result patients often suffer Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs), stroke, seizures and other associated symptoms. I was blessed...excellent doctors, great health insurance and a recent doctoral degree meant that I had the resources necessary to research and understand my diagnosis, get a quick and accurate diagnosis and treatment. At the time, doctors thought it possible but unlikely that the Moyamoya would advance to my left side. Two months after diagnosis, I ...