NeuroTalk Support Groups - VTOS Surgery Roller Coaster

First, if I go back and try to correcct myspelling/etc, we will be here all day. 3 days post op, so it is what it is.

I cancelled my surg as I did not trust my doc. Found another doc and he wanted to re-do my venogram. Went to the hospital last Fri and got in and they started it. my doc was there as well. So there I am on the table and they run the caths into mybicep and through my chest. My 2 arm veins were completely blocked for 4 to 5 inches. Collaterals were everywhere and they ran caths through those to my venacava. Yes-awake. They finish up mand say we need interventions NOW. They start Heparin and TPA into my arm/chest. Admit me and let that run for 24 hoours. Next day they get me in, give me Versed- Thank God, and do angioplasty and rooter 1 vein out. It worked. Mponday, my surg comes in and says lets get the area decompressed soon as other docs took 13 weeks to diagnose this crap. Tues at 1 they wheel me in to pre-op. I tell themIwant Versed before they start the artline. Next thing you know I am waking up trying to breathe. Thurs afternoof he pulls out the drain (no chest tube) and I get discharged. Circ is better, pain sucks, and the worst is the swelling and stiffness in R arm due to anggioplasty. Lots of pain meds and will be on blood thinners for 6 months as a precaution. Toughest part ispositioning and coughing for first few days. Feeling better though.

For those facing this, get someone that knows this condition, get second opinions, go with your gut, and call surgeons all over the country for advice. They gladly speak with you - trust me.