Chicago or Bust - Day Two CCSVI Treatment

No makeup. No food. No water. We made our way over to the hospital for the long anticipated CCSVI procedure. I've been intrigued with this procedure for the last three years and I was finally taking the plunge.

I felt confident going into the procedure because I had done my research, the medical staff seemed highly qualified and more importantly I felt the love, support and prayers from so many people.

Thumbs Up! CCSVI Day

After a while, Dr. Arslan's Physician Assistant came by to check on me. She asked if I had any questions and I said no. She smiled and said "I didn't think so, patients who come for the CCSVI procedure are the most well informed patients we have." I chuckled.

I finally made my way into the procedure room. It was awesome! Right out of a TV show. I wish I had my camera. There was a small window that allowed sunshine to enter the room. There was heavy equipment everywhere and an extremely nice staff preparing the way.  They were still talking about the case before mine where they saved someone's leg from amputation. I knew there was a good reason for the delay in my procedure! They sterilized the whole room covering all of the equipment and me with special plastic.  I got a fancy shave and then my cocktail. Mmm. . . dreamland. Only I wasn't asleep. I was awake and even participated during the procedure.

They come in through the groin area and work their way up to the jugular veins. The venogram showed stenosis in the left jugular vein and axygous vein and very little in the right jugular. They did the balloon angioplasty in all three veins and then sent me on my way. I was in recovery for a couple of hours to monitor for blood clotting.

Hours after the procedure I was already showing some very subtle changes. I felt less foggy in the head, I didn't have to rush to the bathroom after drinking three cups of cranberry juice, when I walked I could lift my foot and bend my right leg ever so slightly. I felt very thankful and hopeful.


*Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) - Go to this website for more info: http://ccsvi.org/