Day One

As we were waiting to go in to get my MRV,
Matt says so how is the test done exactly? I said, I wasn't sure....

Oh boy. I should of checked.

It was probably good I didn't do the research on this one, because I would of never attempted without sedation as that is just plain crazy.

It is much like a MRI but this particular machine is
4 times stronger
than the best MRI machine and is so specified, they won't be missing anything.

But the process...
well there needs to be some advancement as I believe I can sign up for that again.

He begins telling me to lay down on the skinny table and asks if I am claustrophobic?
um...YES.
(but I immediately realize I should of made prior arrangements to get some
"you do anything and I won't care" drugs,
and was afraid I would prolong the test if I needed to get any so...)

I followed up with,

"But I will be fine"

phuhh... ya right.

Then he said I just have a few gadgets for you then we are all set.

Gadgets?

So we began with
gadget number ONE:

He placed a hard plastic neck brace snugly placed around my neck.

Then gadget TWO:
He proceeds to place a hard plastic cage
around my face with slits to see through.
(Man in the Iron Mask- ring a bell?)

Finally gadget THREE:
A heavy blanket/contraption to lay on my chest.

Finally he says,
"Your all set! Don't take deep breathes,
you need to stay steady and still.
And the test
will take approximately 2 hours."

Are you kidding me?

So after a few panic attacks and some MAJOR pep talks I went to my happy place.
When that didn't work,
I spent the time doing simple math, reorganizing my cupboards, and reevaluated my budget all in my mind,
and anything I could do to keep my mind busy in order to keep from
going seriously mental from my new worst nightmare.

It was one of the hardest things I have ever done.

Now when I am asked if I am claustrophobic. I need to say

"yes, where are my drugs?"

Day One...Complete. (barely)

What If's

Just 4 more days until we leave...

I can't wait.
but I am really nervous...very very nervous.

what if
I am not blocked and they say "sorry lady, no problem here."?
what if
they tear my vein or some other freak incident occurs?
what if
it really really hurts?
what if
I need a stent and I have to tell them no, is that the right decision?
what if
after spending over $10,000 for this procedure, our car gets in a wreck, our house floods or the kids cause a freak accident and all our furniture is ruined...(okay that may be a stretch) and then we need that money for such emergencies?

and my biggest fear of all...

what if it doesn't work?

I have felt that Heavenly Father has been holding my hand through this entire experience
...since the beginning...
but my hand is still shaking with fear's...or tremoring. (a little MS humor)

I am trying to squeeze all the faith I can out of that mustard seed.
Allowing me to be able to stand and have the courage to conquer these fears.

Matt told me tonight that

Real faith is when you get off your knees,
and then you do everything in your power
to bring about what you are praying for.

So...even with all of my what if's?
I will now have faith AND courage to stand up and do my part.

even if
my legs are shaking...
but with fear this time and not from MS.

Day Two- Liberation Day

(this picture is showing how the vein isn't flowing,
in fact it started to break off and make alternate routes
and highways in order to get more blood flow.)

So the morning went fast,
and I don't remember much up to after I woke up.

I learned my lesson from yesterday
and asked everyone wearing a badge

when were my drugs coming??

So I will start there.

Dr. Arata found that my left and right jugulars were blocked/narrowed/ or stenosed. My right being the worse.
He said a normal vein size is approximately
19mm

Mine is 8mm.

Yaaa, now I know why I didn't score higher on my ACT.

He was able to snap/pop/destroy my left jugular valve.

But he wasn't' sure if he got the right side as it was so much smaller which made it thicker and harder to snap.
He said he might of or might not of.

Because it is a guided procedure, the only way to know is by feeling it snap or hearing it...

I know, gross eh?

So the bad news is within the next two weeks, if my symptoms all return we know it didn't snap open and I will need to return to get the procedure again to try again to get it to break.



These are pictures of the balloons pumped up in my vein.


So the verdict.

I feel flipping fantastic.

Leg Pain:
Mostly Gone

Fatigue:
Gone

Brain Fog:
Gone

Bladder "Issues"
Mostly Gone

Tingles
Mostly Gone

Limb Weakness
Gone

Foot Tremor
Almost Gone

Morning Eye Stabbing
Gone

Intention Hand Tremors
Gone

Heat Intolerance
Gone

Burning Skin Neuralgia
Gone

I feel like I am 15 years younger. I just feel "normal" again, and it feels amazing. I do have a doosey of a daily headache but we heard is from the blood thinner injections. He also said it could take months for your body to see all the positive symptoms.

I feel so blessed.