This is the coolest thing!!!

I love this!!! I have found something to help fill my days. I addition, I can keep you guys up to date on the happenings of the Grand Children that I am so hopelessly in love with, as well as what is happening with me, Mark, Stephenie, and my son-in-law.

Stephenie is due back here from the beach with week (Wedensday or Thursday) She has another appointment with the speacialists she has been seeing. There are tests ordered for Thursday evening. (an out patient surgical procedure) During one of her many ER visits, they dscovered that her condition of SMA syndrome (Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome; see below) has worsened, and there is lesion that may have to be removed. Hopefully they can remove it, and continue to treat her symptoms.

Mark is working hard as a PAINTER these days. I would have never thought that this telented musician would perform (LOL) manual labor. But knwoing Mark like I know him, he will do what ever it takes to help support himself as well as the ones he loves. I have always known that Mark is an incredible man. I've said it before, and I'll say it again Mark is ONE IN A MILLION. God blessed me when he added Mark to my life.

Now haveing said that, I am sure there are those of you that wonder "if you love him so much and you think so much of him", why aren't you two together as a married couple. Please allow me to explain. I have decided that I am no longer entitled to put Mark (and Stephenie) through any more pain, worry, anger, or agony. I have failed horribly in the past at maintaining a happy, healthy, and responsible relationship as Marks wife and Stephenies mother. While technically I am still Marks wife (and Stephenie's mother) he and I are much better friends than husband and wife.

Okay, I have had enough for the day. I hope you all enjoy the particulars of our somewhat happy healthy, and unconventional life...

Love you all

Laney

What is Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome?
The superior mesenteric artery branches off from the anterior abdominal portion of the aorta and descends from the aorta at an angle that ranges between 38° and 56° with an average of 45°. The superior mesenteric artery supplies blood flow to the small bowel, the cecum, and the ascending and transverse colons. The third portion of the duodenum lies horizontally between the vertical abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This portion of the duodenum is also supported by the ligament of Treitz and cushioned by retroperitoneal fat and lymphatic tissue in the area of the aorta and superior mesenteric artery. If the angle between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta is altered in any way, or if the ligament of Treitz pulls the duodenum higher into the aorta-superior mesenteric artery angle, the duodenum may become compressed and an obstruction can develop (see Figure 1 ). FIGURE 1. The duodenum crosses the abdominal cavity from right to left under the superior mesenteric artery and over the vertebral bodies. The superior mesenteric artery has an acute angle of takeoff from the aorta, referred to as the arteriomesenteric angle. A number of variables can reduce the arteriomesenteric angle, causing pathologic compression of the duodenum and intractable vomiting. In scoliosis surgery, these variables include the adolescent growth spurt, an acute increase in height after spinal instrumentation, and postoperative weight loss. Reproduced with permission from Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins ( Shah et al., 2003 ).

A patient with superior mesenteric artery syndrome presents with signs and symptoms including nausea, emesis (which may be bilious), abdominal pain, and abdominal distension. The diagnostic study of choice for superior mesenteric artery syndrome is an upper gastrointestinal radiograph with oral contrast. This study may reveal dilation of the stomach or the first and the second portion of the duodenum ( Evarts et al., 1971 ; Griffiths & Whitehouse, 1978 ; Sapkas & O'Brien, 1981 ). A vertical cutoff of oral contrast through the third portion of the duodenum due to superior mesenteric artery compression is diagnostic (Griffiths & Whitehouse). The goal of treatment is to decrease duodenal edema and relieve the obstruction.
How Are Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome and Scoliosis Related?
It is not surprising that superior mesenteric artery syndrome is linked to scoliosis. The procedure manipulates and lengthens the spine, causes a rapid increase in height, and alters the original aorta-superior mesenteric artery angle ( Crowther et al., 2002 ; Evarts et al., 1971 ). The ligament of Treitz may also be affected by scoliosis surgery and subsequently change the position of the duodenum in relation to the superior mesenteric artery and aorta. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis also occurs during the child's growth spurt, a time in which bodily changes may also alter the relationship between the superior mesenteric artery, spine, aorta, and duodenum ( Hutchinson & Bassett, 1990 ; Shapiro et al., 2001 ). Despite lengthening of the spine and rapid increases in height, not every patient with spinal fusion develops superior mesenteric artery syndrome.
Currently, little data are available that clearly identify risk factors for adolescents who develop superior mesenteric artery syndrome with idiopathic scoliosis. Case reports and retrospective studies identify spinal lengthening, a change in the aorta-superior mesenteric artery angle, and an asthenic habitus as causative factors in superior mesenteric artery syndrome ( Amy et al., 198