Procedure Scheduled

My procedure is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 12th at 10:00 am. I'm preparing myself that the procedure could happen several hours later. They are planning on using a plasty or stent to open up the left subclavian vein. It was confirmed that I have a venous stenosis, and DVT (blood clot) with lympedema. I'm not sure how they take care of the clot.

I made sure to rest all weekend and keep my arm up as much as possible. Trying to control the pain has been very difficult. Each day it just seems to get worse. I did go to work yesterday hoping I could keep my arm up as much as possible. Everyone at worked encouraged me to go home. I should have listened because I just made everything much worse. I really had a hard time last night. I won't be able to return to work until I can get this swelling and pain down.

I've been told that once the procedure is completed I should feel instant relief. It will take several days for the swelling to go down, and I will probably need therapy. I see my primary doctor on Monday so she can access the situation. By they way...she is wonderful. Last Friday I was in her office for 3 hours and she spent at least 2 with me. She wouldn't let me leave the office until my procedure was scheduled.

I wasn't able to get the same doctor who had performed the test last Thursday because he is on vacation this week. My doctor and I are hoping I will get someone just as good as he was. I continue to trust that God is Sovereign in every detail. My doctor and I both agreed I could not wait until he returned.

Please pray for me these next 48 hours or so. I am not feeling so well because of the pain, and once again won't be able to take anything after midnight tonight. I am hoping everything will go well tomorrow and I will be able to come home afterwards. There is a possibility they will keep me overnight. No matter how hard I try I always get very anxious in the hospital. It was so different not being at the Corona Hospital having my favorite nurses (or how I wish they could be there). They knew how to keep me calm. I truly felt your prayers last week.

I'm off to go elevate my arm and hopefully get some relief from this pain. I hate having to take all this pain medication.

Thank you again for all your love and prayers! Please keep Jim and the kids in your prayers as well. All of this is hard on them too.