Playing With Fire

I have been experiencing physical pain lately. About a week ago, I had surgery on one of my legs. I decided it was time to remove the varicose veins that I have been carting around for the last 12 years. I had a pretty severe case. I acquired them during my second pregnancy, and then they got worse each time I got pregnant. Since my birthing days are more than likely over, I thought now would be a good time to remedy this unsightly, and painful issue.

So off to the doctor I went...

The vein removal procedure was not all that bad. It is an outpatient procedure, and I was awake the whole time. All they gave me was some medicine to keep me calm during the process. I was relaxed, and I watched the whole thing. (I do not recommend watching it, the images came back to haunt me later.) 

First they took me in a room with a pen, and then drew lines around my veins. Then I went into the operating room where they numbed my leg, and using an ultrasound to guide, sent a wire through my saphenous vein to basically burn it shut. After that was done, they took scissors and a hook, and went to town ripping out all the superficial veins on my leg. It was like watching pieces of spaghetti being pulled from my skin. I can still feel the tugging... Eek! 

The veins did not come out in long strips, it was a bunch of tiny pieces. It was fascinating to watch at the time. The doctor and nurses thought I was crazy for watching. I am crazy; it was nasty. When they were done with the yanking and tugging, they used steri strips, wrapped my legs in bandages, and sent me on my way with a compression sock. I walked out of the office, and I felt OK... though a little out of it from the procedure. I had a friend drive me to and from the office, since I was on medication that makes you super calm and sleepy.

The real trick has been in recovery. It hurts! It has not been painful enough to keep me completely down, but I have had moments where down was all I could do. I have spent a lot of time on the couch with ice. Right now I am dealing with some inflammation and swelling around the incisions, and it hurts like an itchy fire. I am currently treating that with medicine. You can see how pretty it is in the picture below... OUCH!!! (Just ignore the hair on my legs... shaving is out of the question for awhile!) 

I know this is probably TMI, but we are all friends here, right? If you are not my friend, don't look.

I am just so excited because I get to do it all again! Yea! I go in this Friday for leg number two. I am a little more prepared, but also a little more nervous knowing the pain that can follow the process. I have been able to walk, but running is out of the question for awhile, which is sad. But eventually it will be worth it. All of the improper blood flow from the varicose veins will now be flowing in the deep vein system, so my circulation should actually greatly improve, and my running should be better in the future. I am excited for that! 

One thing that has been a little hard from all of this, is discussing what happened to Charles with my doctor. The office I go to deals with issues like Pulmonary Embolisms; what Charles died from. There are pictures and pamphlets all around the office about it. With the proper treatment he could very likely be alive still. That is hard for me sometimes. I try not to dwell on it, but it is a bit frustrating knowing there were things that could have easily saved him. I was sitting on the operating table staring at a poster of the deep vein system. I could not help but think of Charles, and the clot that ended his life. 

In fact, a Pulmonary Embolism is something they have been watching me for after this surgery; they are looking for clotting in my deep vein system. I feel like I am playing with fire to some degree. All is well though, because I know what to look for, and they know how to treat it. I let them know how my husband died, and I expressed my desire to live a long life; I asked them to take great care of me. They are watching me carefully, and all I would need to do is take some blood thinner medication if there was clotting; all Charles needed was the proper medicine. Ugh. 

Through this process I have felt like I am walking the path of pain that Charles went through, except he did not know what was going on with him. When the clot appeared on his leg it was big, and it burned, and cause him great pain and discomfort; I feel very close to him as I now understand a little better the pain he felt. It is so sad. I just wish we would have known what was wrong. 

I had a clot in my superficial veins (surface veins) when pregnant with Henry, but it went away with medicine. It was scary, but not the same as having a clot in your deep vein system, like Charles had; obviously, that can be deadly. For information on a Pulmonary Embolism go: HERE 

I want to get these veins out, so I can experience full health in my legs, and improve my overall circulation, and even appearance. I am excited to feel the positive difference on the other side of healing... it may be a good few months from now before I feel totally better. It has been 12 years with these floppy leg veins, causing improper blood flow to my heart. I am super anxious to see what proper blood flow feels like! Maybe I will be able to fly after all! My legs would often ache and burn after running before. It did not stop me from doing it, but I am anxious to try a run with my new legs in a few months. 

For now, I walk. I am happy to walk. It is spring, and it is beautiful. 

Bodies are so fragile and delicate. It is amazing all the things that can go wrong with the flesh. It is amazing we humans can last a full 100 years or longer. Our bodies are precious gifts from God, and we need to take proper care of them. Sometimes we neglect things because we don't want to go to the doctor, or we even feel selfish by tending to our own physical needs. But if you have something that needs attention, don't wait. Just go and get things checked out. And ask lots of questions, and I mean LOTS of questions. 

Good health is such a vital part of a happy life. Taking care of myself has become a new priority of mine. I am the only one left. I am very important to this family of mine. I'm doing my best to preserve myself until I am really, really, old. 

Please say an extra prayer for my quick healing. Pretty please! It really helps! 

Oh, and the kids have been taking good care of me. Here is what Sammi did for me during General Conference... there is nothing better than having your hair braided. ;)