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NothingButSharePoint.com
Wednesday, December 9, 2009

A SharePoint Luminary Needs Your Support

Kris Wagner[Brain] Surgery is the only cure for my condition, there is simply no way around it. I will not go into the details of the procedure but tell you it’s planned for January 14th at the University of Chicago. ” — Kris Wagner

Many of us know Kris from the work he’s done with the SharePoint Community in Chicago. I got an email from him this morning and my stomach dropped.

 

Update: Kris left an extended message in the comments, thanking everyone for their thoughts and support. We’ll keep you posted on updates on his condition.

Email from Kris Wagner:

You may have heard about health problems I’ve had so I wanted to pass along the real deal and help you understand what’s going on with me. As I step into this long story I’d like to tell you I appreciate your support and concern.

What’s going on in my head…?

My symptoms for a while have been severe migraines, shooting pain up and down my back and legs, numbness in my legs and hands, loss of hot cold sensations (meaning I can’t feel if something is hot or cold all the time), more recently my face is going numb in a few stops, and some short term memory loss (I think ;). Some of these I’ve had for years and some are fairly new (within the past months).

So, my doctor requested a MRI of my spine (lumbar) and discovered an abnormality in my thoracic spine. The MRI showed a cyst (syrinx is the medical term) from T2 – T9, and it’s formed in the center of the spinal cord. The condition I have is called Syringomyelia caused by a birth defect of the brain called Chiari Malformation Type 1.

What is Chiari:

I have Chiari Malformation Type 1, some symptoms people with Chiari can experience include numbness, fine motor skills, speech problems and some cogitative issues, and a loss of hot cold sensation if the condition progresses. It’s rare that someone with Chiari ever becomes symptomatic but for those who do they are often misdiagnosed with diseases like M.S. (Muscular Sclerosis) or Fibromyalgia or most often just told they’re hypochondriacs.

The easiest way to explain the disorder is by showing you an image of the brain and someone with Chiari and a cyst caused as a result of the Chiari (*this image is from the ASCA.org website).

2009-12-09-KrisWagnerConditionHere you can see the herniated cerebellar tonsils and the syrinx (Syringomyelia), in the image look for the purple line at the base of the skull – anything below that line is considered not good and should be above the line. The syrinx in this image is larger than mine, I have 2 but the good news is they are much smaller.

Chiari is believed to be caused by the skull not fully developing at birth and in my case my skull is too small for my brain and cerebellum. As a result everything is crammed together in this small area of the brain. As I’ve grown older the bottom of the cerebellum tonsils have moved down enough into my cervical spinal area to cause a blockage and redirection of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) thus creating the cysts.

In people without the disorder the CSF protects the brain and normally drains around the spinal cord and is dissolved into the blood stream by moving to the brain via the 3rd and 4th ventricles. In my case there is a slowing of the flow within the 4th ventricle causing a backup and pressure in the brain.

Surgery:

Surgery is the only cure for my condition, there is simply no way around it. I will not go into the details of the procedure but tell you it’s planning for January 14th at the University of Chicago. The facility has some of the most advanced technologies for brain surgery’s available today. They also have a top notch post op ICU staffed with neurosurgeons, post op is just as important as the surgery it’s self in my case…

Recovery:

I wouldn’t expect to see me at a user’s group meeting, help in the forums or plan any events at least from Jan 8th until March…. I’ll be resting, going thru physical therapy and really just Chillaxing with Netflix on the Ruko while I heal…

What I’m thinking:

I believe I’ll come out of this a stronger and better person. This type of illness gives you a different type of outlook on what’s important in life. I can’t begin to explain the feelings you go thru when you know you’re going to have brain surgery and without it the situation could become much worse…. I’m not the most relaxed person in the world but of course I have a pill for that.

I have an amazing support system, Stacy (my partner and best friend of 9 years), my parents, friends and our pups. I have excellent neurosurgeon known throughout the World and he’s an expert in Chiari surgeries.

This has been a very rough year for both of us; in one year Stacy and I have been thru what most people go thru over a span of 10 years… 2010 is going to be a new year with nothing but good energy.

So that’s the deal… Here’s to the holidays, family and our health! Thanks for reading and for your support.

More information on Chiari Malformation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold-Chiari_malformation
http://www.asap.org/chiari-malformation.html
http://www.spineuniverse.com/article/chiari-malformation-4489.html

From Mark Miller

It goes without saying that Kris will be in my thoughts through the holiday season. You can leave a comment for him below. If you’d like to send a personal note, here’s his mailing address:

Kris Wagner
1055 West. Bryn Mawr Ave,
F-210
Chicago, IL 60660

 

Please Join the Discussion

58 Responses to “A SharePoint Luminary Needs Your Support”
  1. Kris,

    You are in our thoughts and prayers all the way from OZ and I hope all goes well with the surgery.

    Speedy recovery mate!

  2. Kathy Boilek says:

    May God watch over you, your family and your doctors.

    Take care and have a blessed holiday.

  3. Panos says:

    I hope everything works out for the best. Get well soon!

  4. Jack R says:

    Kris… You are in our prayers, Wade and I know you will be fine and we are here for you and Stacy. If you need anything please ask.

  5. Chris Geier says:

    Kris,

    I wanted to let you know as you go through this you will be both in my familys thoughts and prayers. I am sure everything will work out fantastic and there will be nothing to worry about. Make sure you take the time after the surgery to fully recover, and if you need any help please do not hesitate to ask for it.

  6. Dave Ducat says:

    Kris:

    All the best to you on a quick, painless surgery and a speedy and painless recovery.

    All the best, as well, for 2010.

    -Dave

  7. Kris

    Have a speedy recovery. You are in our prayers. You’re the best Kris.

    Love

    Shari and Kevin

  8. We just started our relationship and communication with Kris. Very unknown to us was his involvement and stewardship of the SP community in Chicago but more importantly this developing story of his perservenence and courage.

    We wish you God’s speed, Kris. I’m sure you’ll be back in-the-mix soon and we’ll re-engage hunting you down for your expertise!

    All the best,
    Steve from the Avanade Recruiting team (Seattle)


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