Actually I got a little better news from my vascular surgeon today that I expected. Based on what he told me in the hospital on Tuesday, I didn't think he would have much encouragement for me today, but it was somewhat better.
He did achieve a small flow through my deep vein that was 100% blocked before the procedure. He said that would make a big difference to me in about 10 years when, untreated, my leg would have given me major problems. So, this procedure has been mostly an investment in the future.
As far as the blood clots go, he said that now they are not considered as blood clots, but as scar tissue. So, they will remain. But, at least the blood flow is getting by them.
He told me to wear knee-high compression hose, actually on both legs, from now on anytime that I am up. I don't have to wear them while sleeping, but when I'm up, the blood will want to descend into my legs through my veins. That is because the clots have destroyed the valves that keep that from happening. The bit of good news with the compression hosiery is that over time, they should help my swelling to decrease. The squeeze on the leg will help keep the blood from descending as much. My left leg will never return to the size of the right one, but the swelling should not stay where it is now. I told Terrie that I just need to exercise the right leg a whole lot and beef it up to match the larger left one!
I go back to see him in a year, so I hope he has something much improved to look at next December!
Oh, yeah. One more thing: I found out that I have an ear infection and the beginning of a sinus infection. No, the vascular surgeon didn't diagnose that one - it was a doc-in-the-box. So now, I'm doing 10 days of two horse-tablet-sized antibiotics per.
But, who's complainin'?
Prayers up!
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