A brief background to my TOS: I am in the military and was stationed in San Diego, preparing to move to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba when I was diagnosed with a cervical rib and the neurogenic TOS. Between October and January I saw many specialists to include a vascular surgeon. I decided to take the conservative approach, get Botox and continue my PT. The Botox worked great for about two months but now that it was worn off I am once again in a lot of pain. I started taking Tramadol and while it helps manage my pain, the side effects are a kind of brutal. A few weeks ago I emailed my vascular surgeon and told her I was coming back to San Diego in June to visit family and if she would still do my surgery. She said yes and I just found out that my command approved it! Of course it helps that I work at the hospital

I know surgery is a risk but I believe that it is the right path for me. beacuse I’m in the military, I am expected to stay active and maintain good physical condition. At this point my TOS side arm is useless to me. I don’t like taking pain medication and the hospital here does not have the capability to manage my pain. So now I am relived and anxious at the same time. But I believe I will return to GTMO healthier than when I leave. I don’t know if this is ever brought up, but what about the mental and emotional toll TOS takes out on us? It’s exhausting to be consumed by pain and I cannot imagine being in this state with no end in sight.