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Here is our daughter, Anna Henry’s story in her own words:
+ M Y H A P P Y P L A C E +
In just two short weeks, I'll be going through one of the biggest challenges of my life.
In June, this year, I found out I have SEVERE (multiple surgeons have not seen a case this severe before) thoracic outlet syndrome. It is so bad, my veins and arteries in my thoracic outlet are completely pancaked. According to my CTA findings, I have "nearly complete occlusion of my subclavian vein and artery" on both sides (left & right). My blood flow is being compromised and cut off in my arm, chest and flow to my brain. At times my arms will turn blue and my hands will swell and turn white - it feels like I have a tourniquet around my upper body. My body has been trying to compromise by developing a bunch of collateral vessels. I am at a great risk of a blood clot (they're surprised I haven't had a blood clot yet, and placed me on blood thinners) and was told my artery if it has not already will start to balloon
(possible aneurysm), and I need to have surgery to correct it, or I could die. I know, sounds crazy, huh? I think I am still in denial.
After 4 different opinions, I have found a surgeon who I trust and will be performing surgery on July, 16th.
What does the surgery entail? Well, sounds CRAZY, but they will be removing my first rib and parts of two muscles that attach to my rib. If my artery is compromised, they will put in a new one where it is affected with a graft.
After surgery, I will be in the ICU for a few days along with a chest tube. I am told I will probably get a pneumothorax which is not uncommon for this type of surgery and will be out of commission for about 6 months or more.
You know what the craziest part of the story is? They have to eventually do it on my left side as well!!
Am I am scared? Heck yes! Am I stressed? Absolutely! But, I know I will be ok. I have full trust in the surgeon and pray that God will guide him. I am definitely not going to let this obstacle bring me down. Before I know it, I will be back swimming laps in my H A P P Y P L A C E.
I am a W A R R I O R and nothing, and I mean nothing is going to bring me down or stop me!
+ M Y H A P P Y P L A C E +
In just two short weeks, I'll be going through one of the biggest challenges of my life.
In June, this year, I found out I have SEVERE (multiple surgeons have not seen a case this severe before) thoracic outlet syndrome. It is so bad, my veins and arteries in my thoracic outlet are completely pancaked. According to my CTA findings, I have "nearly complete occlusion of my subclavian vein and artery" on both sides (left & right). My blood flow is being compromised and cut off in my arm, chest and flow to my brain. At times my arms will turn blue and my hands will swell and turn white - it feels like I have a tourniquet around my upper body. My body has been trying to compromise by developing a bunch of collateral vessels. I am at a great risk of a blood clot (they're surprised I haven't had a blood clot yet, and placed me on blood thinners) and was told my artery if it has not already will start to balloon
(possible aneurysm), and I need to have surgery to correct it, or I could die. I know, sounds crazy, huh? I think I am still in denial.
After 4 different opinions, I have found a surgeon who I trust and will be performing surgery on July, 16th.
What does the surgery entail? Well, sounds CRAZY, but they will be removing my first rib and parts of two muscles that attach to my rib. If my artery is compromised, they will put in a new one where it is affected with a graft.
After surgery, I will be in the ICU for a few days along with a chest tube. I am told I will probably get a pneumothorax which is not uncommon for this type of surgery and will be out of commission for about 6 months or more.
You know what the craziest part of the story is? They have to eventually do it on my left side as well!!
Am I am scared? Heck yes! Am I stressed? Absolutely! But, I know I will be ok. I have full trust in the surgeon and pray that God will guide him. I am definitely not going to let this obstacle bring me down. Before I know it, I will be back swimming laps in my H A P P Y P L A C E.
I am a W A R R I O R and nothing, and I mean nothing is going to bring me down or stop me!
Organizer
Pam Magdanz
Organizer
Lincoln, NE