I'm having surgery this Wed.

[slightlybroken]

Well I went to my doctors appointments today. The GYN said that the incision looks good but wants to see me in 4 weeks. I told her I was still having pain when using the bathroom but she said that will probably be the case since I was such a mess inside from the cyst moving everything around.

I went to the vascular surgeon too. We discussed the filter and the surgery he wants to do. He thinks I would benefit from the surgery since the blood clot decided to grow and runs from my hip to my knee. I'm starting to show some discoloration in the leg from lack of circulation. He believes that the surgery will take care of all of the clot or at least most of it. He said that I won't be completely put under..so that means no tube down my throat...YEAH!!! Since my jaw is currently locked that is a plus. They didn't put me completely under when they put the filter in but I don't remember a thing and it wasn't all that bad.

I'll be lying on my belly during the procedure. They are going to go in through the knee and inject "clot busters". There will be balloons inserted below and above the clot to prevent the "clot busters" from getting in my system for the most part. Then he'll take a catheter and remove the extra pieces of clot. Another great thing is that it will be an outpatient procedure..YEAH!!!!...I don't have to stay in the hospital. This procedure will help because my leg is swelling and it won't stop. They are afraid of permanent damage caused from this clot so I'm going for it.

We also discuss the filter. He said that he may want to remove it until I told him my family history and what I've been doing. I guess the filter can have clots build up around the filter and cause less blood getting to the heart which is really bad but he agreed with me in keeping it for a while just in case. My mother, when she started to have DVTs had multiple episodes and she got blood clots in her leg when she was on Plavix so just in case I react like my mother I want my filter in.

The bad thing was that the hospital was suppose to be checking me for Factor 5 Leiden the first time I went in. They could not find the results so they are not sure if they even did it or not. He said that my results could be tainted anyways because, I guess, he said that it has an effect and can give a false negative if you have blood clots at the time you are tested or if you are blood thinners when they take the sample.  I thought some of you might want to know that.

Well...Wish Me Luck!!
Love U All!!

[ohwild]

good luck hun in the op, will be praying for you, you are in my thoughts
lots of hugs
CJ :)

[slightlybroken]

Quix- they haven't determined what my DX is as far as the clotting problems. I was hoping they would find that Factor 5 Leiden test, and they tried looking it up on the computer in my room at the docs office but couldn't find where it was ordered. He kept bringing up the fact that my results could be tainted if they are negative for the reason I stated above. He suggested my mother get tested. She is currently not on blood thinners because they weren't helping and only takes a baby aspirin. She is going to have the test done.

The vascular surgeon did bring up Sjogrens and if I've been tested. I was tested back in the late 90s and had some characteristics of Sjogrens. I had the chronic inflammation and the lymphocyte infiltration but not enough lymphocyte infiltration to put me in the Sjogrens category. I wonder if things have changed but I don't seem to have trouble with the classic SX like dry eyes, or dry mouth etc...

I go in this Wednesday for surgery to have the clot removed. He said it's very large so there might be some of it left behind but believes he can get all of it, if not most of it. Yes, I'm very tired of staying of the leg. I try to do things and my husband says no,no,no..like I'm a little kid. It just drives me nuts not being able to do anything. Thanks Quix..or shall I say MAMA Bear. I always get a big kick how you play with my screen name..very funny!! It always puts a smile on my face.

Kathy- Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. I appreciate it. The vascular surgeon is wonderful. He did explain everything and listen to my input which seems uncommon now a days. I was pretty sad a couple of weeks ago when I was going through this.

It was quit scary to have that much pain and I did believe I was dying. From what the doctors said, that wasn't far from the truth. I just hope somebody figures this all out and puts me back to feeling somewhat normal.

The sad part about it was I missed my youngest kindergarten graduation. He got to wear a cap and gown and I missed my daughter's 5th graduation. I was in the hospital getting that filter put in before the other surgery. But I told my hubby to go and be with them and take lots of pictures. So at least I got to see them. It's not the same though but I know I had to be where I had to be.

You guys on the forum have meant so much to me. The support is just unbelievable. I love you all!!! :)

[Fluffysmom]

I'm wishing you all the best of luck.  I'll also be saying a few prayers, if you don't mind.

What you've been going through is just phenomenal.  Does that mean you're a Phenomenal Woman, like in the Maya Angelou poem?  

Thanks for sharing the details; I am always fascinated by the procedures we have to go through.  I always get my op reports, so I know what's been done while I'm in lala land.

It sounds like the vascular surgeon made it very clear what to expect, and I respect that in a surgeon.

You're in my thoughts,

Kathy

[Quixotic1]

Thanks for letting us know what's going on!  I've been concerned about you.  Wow, have you had the tough time.  I'm sure you will be sooooo much better after they remove the clot!  Soooo much better than losing the leg, I think.

So, have they quite determined what your diagnosis is in terms of what your clotting problem is?  Or did the whole thing come up with the first DVT and they haven't been able to get accurate results becasue of the thinners and clotting activity like you said.  Are they testing the rest of your family?  I find this all amazing; horrifying, but amazing.  I am so glad you are still with us after all you have been through!

When will they remove the clot?  Are you tired of lying around with your legs up?

Quix