I am SO superficial

Well, my veins are anyways lol.

The vein (ultrasound) scan is now done. My deep veins are in GREAT shape. I am in trouble with the superficial veins. Both valves on both sides in the groin are 'shot' and will both need to be fixed with surgery. During the appointment he asked me to do ONE thing, that is to PUSH when he says push, and I said to him OH I CAN PUSH WELL lol! The funny thing is I pushed more at the scan than with my last births (but not as hard!!) So, that is all I have to report. I go back to for the follow up with my specialist at the end of this month to discuss what happens next. Glad that is over. Hopefully no more trips downtown for awhile.

Stocking Saga...

Well, the compression 'hose' were not fit to me correctly, and so I called first the specialist's office and asked them if what I was feeling was OK, and they said the hose are probably too long. So, I then called the place that fitted me and they sent a courier to pick up the old stockings and send me a 'short' pair. So, today it took me about 8 minutes to get these things on with my 'donning gloves' seriously they are called that. I kid you not.

Today, I feel so so about this. I wanted to cry this morning when I put these suckers on. I was doing this when Courtney was starting to cry. And so that made me want to cry. I feel really warm, as I banned pantyhose a long time ago. So, now to be wearing these hot, itchy Lycra hose UNDER my jeans feels really uncomfortable. Thankfully though, this is not happening in the summer.

Well, I need to do this for my vein health, but every day I just seem to feel older and uglier by the second. 10 years ago I would be putting on nice high heels and nice skirts and going to work. Now my life is so different from that.

Anyways, enough of the whining here. On a more positive note, January first is a coming fast and I cannot wait to start this contest called Goo-be-Gone. It is a take off of the Biggest Loser. It runs for 3 months, and finishes on April 1st. I hope to lose about 25 pounds in 3 months. I think that is a realistic goal. And, in 6 months (June 1st) I hope to have lost 50 pounds. And by October 1st I plan on having lost a total of 70-80 pounds. Just in time for my 37th bday. And hopefully something really fun to do, like perhaps run a half marathon if I can train for it.

I watched the finale of the Biggest Loser, and it was so good and inspiring. And, I look forward to watching the couples version of it that starts on January 1st. Perfect time for motivation for my own weight loss. Cliff has decided that he wants to lose 50 pounds. That is so exciting too! We can motivate each other and cheer for each other, and that gives us 2 chances in the competition we are entering!

I am not allowed to kickbox for the time being because of the leg/vein issue so I plan on power walking 60-90 minutes every day. Hopefully when the vein is not swollen anymore then I can ask the surgeon again if I can start.

That will be MY TIME...whether it in the morning or the evening, on the treadmill or outside I will do this. And, I will be watching my portions. And, hopefully do some skipping with the kids!! And a video or two when time permits ;D and maybe some other stuff...who knows. All I know is that I cannot wait to do this! I need this!!

I have booked my ultrasound scan on my veins aka vein study for mid January, and a follow up in the end of January. The cost: $250 dollars...our extended does not cover this darn it. Oh well...I am worth it!!

Vascular Surgeon Appointment Update

Today, Cliff took Courtney and myself to the big old city and I met with my specialist. He took a look, and suggested that I get support hose. And let me tell you, they are like the worst/tightest pair of hose you have EVER worn. And, they are very EXPENSIVE. Like 150 dollars expensive. And, I had to be measured for them. It took so long!!!

Anyways, so he also wants me to go for a vein scan/ultrasound to check out my faulty valves/veins etc. I have to call to arrange for that appointment. It takes 45 mins and I have to wear shorts to that appointment...oh lovely when you have such knotted up, twisty veins. I don't even OWN shorts...so, I think I will borrow a pair of Cliff's running shorts. This scan will give the specialist an idea of if I need surgery or not. I am thinking yes, because he handed me a piece of paper with the info on day surgery. And if I need day surgery it is done under local with IV sedation, or if BOTH legs it would be under general sedation. I am hoping for only one leg. Anyways. I will arrange for that vein scan for asap.

The good thing is that, I do NOT have to wait 2 months after breastfeeding for surgery if needed. And, thankfully he is starting the process early for me so that when the time is right...all of the steps are in place to get my legs looking lovely and smooth again. And, oh what a joy that will be to wear skirts, shorts, dresses and be able to shave properly again. That will be good. I am sick of my grandpa/old man legs.

So for now. I will suck it up and wear these tight tights/stockings/whatevers. I want to take a photo because they are just so ugly. I am sure my husband will not come NEAR me lol!! I need to wear them until the vein swelling goes away. Right now I feel hot, because they are not natural fibres, and they make me itchy and sweaty feeling. Especially when I am used to being barefoot all of the time. I also have to wash these things DAILY EVERY night, and you need rubber gloves (bright green ones) SERIOUSLY to pull/rub them up. I kid you not. Then, I need to put them on EVERY morning. Oh, just give me a little more to do...because I have all of the time in the world...Uh huh.

Suck it up buttercup...yup suck it up. It is for your own health...yup.

Appointment with the specialist

I heard from my doc this morning! Thank goodness!

I am heading into the big city on Monday to meet with the vascular surgeon! I hope he has some good ideas/options for me.

Vein Update - Dr Appointment

Well, here is what went down. Yes, my leg is worse. No, it is not fatal and it cannot kill me. And it is a superficial clot, in a superficial varicose vein. I am able to walk, exercise whenever I want. I have my doctors blessings to exercise, walk etc. It just hurts and it is uncomfortable for me. So, my doc is going to call the vein specialist aka my vascular surgeon (I met him just after I had Caroline) and my doc is going to ask what he can do for me. What can he do to help me. As it stands, my doctor gave me the strongest drugs he could give me because I am breastfeeding. Now, he needs to get some help! That is good! I need the help!

So, if my doc can get a hold of the vascular surgeon tomorrow, and if he talks to him, and gets an answer my doctor will call me tomorrow. If not tomorrow, as soon as he hears back from him.

So, at least their is a game plan in place. Now, I wait.

My doc said my legs will be fixed up as good as new. I sure hope so, because as I see my legs today I wonder what they will be able to do to fix me up! *fingers crossed*

Veins Update - Courtney 2 weeks old tonight

Here is the bruise remaining from my IV vein blowout

OK, and here is an updated shot of my veins this morning.
I have a few more days of antibiotics. I think an doctors appointment will be in order for Monday. Unless it just goes away. To me it looks like it is here to stay.