Surgery #3

As I type this Tracey is at the hospital in Houston consulting with the surgeons.  Her surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 11:00 am, Texas time. 

For those of you new to my blog, my oldest daughter has a genetic mutation of the veins in her left arm.

When we finally got a definitive and correct diagnosis from the fine folks at Harvard Medical Center we were referred to a certain doctor who worked at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.  There are only a handful of surgeons who specialize in pediatric venous malformations.  Last spring we made the trek to Houston to begin the series of surgeries on her arm.  She had 2 last spring and is having the 3rd tomorrow. 

What is a genetic mutation?  In Tracey it causes the vein walls to expand in her arms and the blood to pool, causing pain and swelling.  They inject stuff directly into these veins to kill them off. After the first surgery she noticed no difference, but after the 2nd there was remarkable difference...almost immediately.  Hopefully we'll have more improvement after this one.  

Does it cause problems for her?  Not really.  We have never restricted her activities due to this.  Even though one of her sports is volleyball and the area affected is her left forearm.   And forearms are necessary equipment for volleyball.  But it doesn't seem to hurt her too much.  She occasionally wears her compression sleeve when it bothers her.  It also bothers her more when it's cold.  The cold restricts blood flow and so there's more pooling in her veins- therefore, more pain.  So in winter, obviously, it's worse.   

Why am I not there?  She's old enuf to go on her own.  Heehee.  Not really, her dad took her this time. 

Will she have more?  We don't know.  We'll have to wait to see what the doctor says tomorrow. 

If you have any more questions, just leave a comment and I will answer them as best as I can.  I will also be giving updates on FB as I get them from her dad. 

Keep her in your prayers tomorrow.