Hi, my name is Michelle and I'm new to this forum. I see that it's been a few months since anyone had last written but I'm hoping someone can still help me out.

I was diagnosed with TOS in March of this year after having a DVT(blood clot) found in the shoulder area of my right arm. A thrombectomy was performed to remove the clot, but not all of it could be removed and the procedure resulted in me having a few small pulmonary emboli in my left lung. I'm only 20 years old and am otherwise am very healthy, fit and live a positive lifestyle. I've been on Coumadin for about a month and a half (since the thrombectomy and my hospital stay) and my surgeon said that in order to not remain on Coumadin for life, essentially, that a rib resection of my first rib on my right side (where the DVT had been) would be necessary.

I am supposed to be on Coumadin for around six months, mostly to ensure the pulmonary emboli would no longer be in my lung, but since I am a college student going into my last year, I am hoping to do the rub resection surgery in mid-August, which my surgeon said is fine. My vascular surgeon, who I like and trust so far, has been performing rib resections for over twenty years and said he averages two or three a year. Is this reliable enough experience? I got a second opinion at a nearby hospital and all recommendations were the same. However, both hospitals are on the small side and I am wondering if I should get a third opinion form a more major medical center? I live in NH and the closest major medical center for me is Mass General in Boston (about an hour and a half away). My parents called and were told I couldn't be seen there until June at the earliest, which is kind of discouraging.

I guess my other main question is: Is it realistic for me to have the rib resection performed in mid-August and actually be recovered enough to ease into my school year? My classes begin the first week of September but I know I could miss that first week. This would leave three or more weeks for me to recover. My surgeon said two weeks would be time enough, but I know everyone is different. I know my health is more important than my schooling currently, but I am just trying to get the gist of what others who have experienced this may think.

Thank you to anyone who has read this and for any feedback!! :)

hi ,
I copied your post over here to a new thread just for you, so we can say Hello, and welcome you.

In the other thread someone recommend Dr. Donahue for you and I would encourage you strongly to listen.

I have bilateral TOS and am about 8 weeks removed from a 1st rib resection on my right side. I am so glad that I went with Dr. Donahue and have already scheduled my left side for this summer. Had you asked me before the surgery, I was pretty nervous. Now I know that it was absolutely the only decision for me and I credit Dr. Donahue for a lot of that. The recovery went way smoother than I expected.

I would encourage you to let a doctor, whether that be Dr. Donahue or not, set your timetable. Dr. Donahue is admittedly conservative and will encourage you to "pay your dues" at the beginning and take it very easy. I felt better enough to return to work two weeks post-surgery but as a teacher, had already put in for my sick leave previously. Dr. Donahue had encouraged me to take 5 weeks off. Though I got very antsy at times, this was the right decision. I think all the downtime helped my recovery tremendously. My second surgery is planned for late July and that timetable puts me at ready to be back in school teaching the 1st week in September.

Before you make up your mind about any surgery or plan of action though, see Dr. Donahue. He keeps you in the loop on everything and takes you through the diagnostic process. I would recommend him to anyone who is able to see him.