Hello,

I've have had TOS for 2 years. I have bilateral C7 cervical ribs and now carpal tunnel as well. Pain and limitations are a part of my life everyday now.

I live in Northern Canada and don't have any TOS specialist here - I travel 8 hours to see Dr Sean McFadden (thorasic surgeon) in Calgary. Great doctor, he has helped so much. I was lucky to have a family doc that new about TOS and referred me right away to the doc in Calgary.

I will be going for a right side cervical rib resection in the beginning of Dec or Jan 08. I'm very nervous about the surgery and pain. I'm also nervous about the outcome - if this doesn't work, I don't know how I can live with the pain I have now for the rest of my life...it's affecting my family, my job, my friends and my happiness. I'm sure you all understand - I wish sometimes those around would understand too.

I've had many surgeries (non TOS related) in the past. I've dealt with the pain and live with pain on a daily basis. I'm just not sure how the pain and recovery from the rib resection compares to those?

How long is the recovery?
What can I do to help recovery quicker and with a good outcome?
What positions help ease the pain? I'll be a passenger in an 8 hours car ride home after I'm out of the hospital (sitting on a plane or car is painful now..scared about what it will be like after the surgery!)
What about reducing the scar (dr will be not going through the arm pit - neck area instead)?
Does it matter if you're in a flare-up when you're going in for surgery?
Any other things that others have done to help the recovery or surgery go smoother?

I'd appreciate any help or advice you have - it's difficult to find anybody in my home town that understands what it's like to live with TOS and how much I want to be "normal" again ( I miss my previous life!!)

I'm really glad I found this group - I already feel better just reading the many threads...there are others going through the same thing - i'm not alone!

Toby