Approved for surgery!
 

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.

I hope it all goes well for you!

It is funny how you say that you need the surgery because you are in the military and need to stay healthy and be active. As if those who are not in the military have no real need to be able to use their arms. hehe. I wish that were the case!

fondly.