29 Jan 09 Varicose Vein stripping Surgery Video … Vidéo de chirurgie de varices – éveinage
OK it’s lunchtime again and I realise this is probably not the most appetizing content to enjoy while dining, but I thought I would share this (graphic) video of how varicose vein stripping surgery is done. No, it isn’t a video of my actual surgery (hmm, 30 incisions would make for a long video) but it shows quiet clearly how it’s done. Not for the squeamish…
Alors, c’est l’heure de diner encore et je réalise que ceci n’est probablement pas le contenu le plus appétissant à savourer en dinant, mais je crois que je vais partager cette vidéo (assez directe) qui démontre comment se fait l’éveinage de veines varices. Non, ce n’est pas une vidéo de ma chirurgie (30 incisions … ca serai longue comme clip)… mais ca montre assez clairement comment c’est fait. Ce n’est pas pour les prudes…
Tags: éveinage de varices, Health, surgery, varicose veins
24 Nov 08 Convalescence leave sucks : After (sequential) extreme varicose vein stripping surgeries in 5 weeks – that’s enough.
Well, here I am, still trying to err… convalesce from the 16 incisions (and who knows how many staples) for the varicose vein stripping surgery on my right leg. I’ve gotten thoroughly tired of my couch-ridden existence off work; in between doses of Ratio-Emtec (acetaminophen + 30mg of codeine) pain killers I try to find a comfortable position. The worst, by far, is sitting or standing in the same position. The blood rapidly pools in my right leg and becomes unbearably (9/10) painful…
Basically it’s been resting / napping / surfing the net for news / watching the government bank bailout of the day and the correlated 400 point swings on the Dow. Yes, I wish I could be stable and pain free enough to be back at work so I could bitch about projects, bureaucracy and that lovely usual stuff. Wonder how the French expression “ca pourrait être pire” is so true and appropriate.
It also highlights the real-world benefits of having a career with an organisation that provides excellent health benefits – and more importantly: respects the health benefits!
Obviously, I won’t be getting any transdermal Fentanyl (a.k.a. Duragesic) for this kind of pain, and at least I am now a bit more familiar with what to expect given that just 4-5 weeks ago I had the cutting and stripping done on the left leg. That one is healing relatively well although it was a bit early for it to become the “strong” leg.
I’ve also learned to keep pain meds close to me – especially at night; no one likes to get out of bed in the middle of the night… imagine if it involved excruciating pain around 16 (precision) cuts in one leg …
(more…)
Tags: codeine, Fentanyl, Health, Kids, Love, surgery, varicose veins
01 Nov 08 Tristan & Zachary first Halloween pumpkin carving experience
At first Tristan and Zachary were somewhat disinterested in the pumpkin ritual as they were distracted by that (evil) TV and some usual crapola on Teletoon or whatever….
Tristan and Zachary’s first experience at carving and prepping a pumpkin was fun; ok, granted, it may seem a bit late to experience their first pumpkin carving but such is life. 
They had seen my Ace compression bandage earlier in the day covering my leg from thigh to foot over the vein stripping incision bandages… (no they didn’t see those yet)..
Tags: Food, halloween, Kids, Love, pumpkin carving, surgery, Tristan, varicose veins, Zachary
21 Oct 08 Woohoo I got the call – surgery time! :) Fast after midnight, Chlorhexidine Gluconate in the AM and no pills
Wooooohooooo….. 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning I go under the trusty scalpel (actually, phlebectomy hooks, I think)… and no food or drink after midnight tonight (I.E. let’s eat drink and be merry tonight!)
In the morning I get to wash with the Chlorhexidine Gluconate (4%) antiseptic soap…. at least on the leg destined for surgery, although I suppose I could use it all over (except eyes and ears as it can cause blindness)….
Tags: Health, surgery, varicose veins
20 Oct 08 Being anxious for surgery – sounds crazy but…
Well, even Tristan commented recently that I need to get this vascular surgery done with… (trust me, I want it more than anyone)…
So if all goes well this time around, by this time tomorrow night I should have received my phone call from the hospital surgery admissions office confirming what time I go in on Wednesday…
According to the doctor, despite it being quite a most severe case of vein stripping, I should be able to walk the day after. On the other hand, the amateur surgeon in me did some searching online, and apparently the day after it is recommended to ambulate the operated leg to prevent ulcers and bruising.
Tags: Health, surgery, Tristan, varicose veins
