04-14-2009, 10:00 AM
In November of 1999, on the first day of deer hunting, I awoke with a sharp pain in my groin. I had planned to go shopping with a friend, which I did, with this nagging pain. My leg hurt but I didn't think much about it until Monday when I drove to work. After my 45 minute commute, I could barely lift my left leg to walk into the hospital that I worked at. I am an occupational therapist, and I intuitively knew that something was wrong. I suspected a blood clot. ......
My story is a really long one and so I will shorten it. I spent 10 days in the hospital with what they described as the largest clot they saw. This small rural hospital and it's physicians had never heard of tpa much less MTS... and of course, neither had I. I had post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) before I left the hospital. I was on coumadin for a year and have been wearing compression stockings since that time.
In 2003, I was diagnosed with MS and began having difficulty walking. Despite all my efforts, my PTS worsened, I believe due to my gradual decrease in mobility. In March of 2007, I consulted a vascular specialist who diagnosed the MTS. I am so very grateful to him as know I had a "diagnosis"... and I began my research.
In August of 2008, just last year, I had three stents placed in my left groin. The constant pain in my groin was gone and for a short period of time, my walking improved. Then in November, one week before we were to leave on a trip to Italy, my symptoms worsened and sure enough, my stent was blocked. My stent was lengthened and I was able to walk and keep up with our travel group with the assistance of my husband and a cane. I did fall into the arms of a couple of Italian men but that is another story!
Overall, my symptoms have not improved with the stents and I am establishing care with a vascular specialist. AND THIS IS WHAT I KNOW ....
1. I have a body and my body has MTS, PTS, and MS [i]AND I am NOT my body or my MTS, PTS, and MS. I am so much more.
2. This MTS, PTS, and MS is a gift. After years of building a career, I have been given the gift of time for meaningful pursuit. I am creating my own business, working out of my home, offering encouragement and support to women as they journey. [/i]
3. I am 53 years old and I feel like my life has just begun. I am excited about my future. It is not how I imagined it but this MTS, PTS, and MS has been (and is) my greatest teacher. I have a loving husband, three independent children and a wonderful circle of friends.
4. While it would be a lie to say that my life is good or grand. Some days are truly the pits, I am well. I participate in a yoga class, get regular massages, acupuncture treatments, and chiropractic adjustments. I meditate almost everyday and am part of a group that has been meditating together twice a month for five years. My life is full and I feel blessed.
My story is a really long one and so I will shorten it. I spent 10 days in the hospital with what they described as the largest clot they saw. This small rural hospital and it's physicians had never heard of tpa much less MTS... and of course, neither had I. I had post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) before I left the hospital. I was on coumadin for a year and have been wearing compression stockings since that time.
In 2003, I was diagnosed with MS and began having difficulty walking. Despite all my efforts, my PTS worsened, I believe due to my gradual decrease in mobility. In March of 2007, I consulted a vascular specialist who diagnosed the MTS. I am so very grateful to him as know I had a "diagnosis"... and I began my research.
In August of 2008, just last year, I had three stents placed in my left groin. The constant pain in my groin was gone and for a short period of time, my walking improved. Then in November, one week before we were to leave on a trip to Italy, my symptoms worsened and sure enough, my stent was blocked. My stent was lengthened and I was able to walk and keep up with our travel group with the assistance of my husband and a cane. I did fall into the arms of a couple of Italian men but that is another story!
Overall, my symptoms have not improved with the stents and I am establishing care with a vascular specialist. AND THIS IS WHAT I KNOW ....
1. I have a body and my body has MTS, PTS, and MS [i]AND I am NOT my body or my MTS, PTS, and MS. I am so much more.
2. This MTS, PTS, and MS is a gift. After years of building a career, I have been given the gift of time for meaningful pursuit. I am creating my own business, working out of my home, offering encouragement and support to women as they journey. [/i]
3. I am 53 years old and I feel like my life has just begun. I am excited about my future. It is not how I imagined it but this MTS, PTS, and MS has been (and is) my greatest teacher. I have a loving husband, three independent children and a wonderful circle of friends.
4. While it would be a lie to say that my life is good or grand. Some days are truly the pits, I am well. I participate in a yoga class, get regular massages, acupuncture treatments, and chiropractic adjustments. I meditate almost everyday and am part of a group that has been meditating together twice a month for five years. My life is full and I feel blessed.