Yesterday, I had my miniscule procedure
with Dr. Alomari from interventional radiology done at Boston Children's
Hospital. The focal point of the procedure was the ankle and foot,
both of which are still in a extraordinary magnitude of pain despite
the medicine in which I am on (10 mg, Oxy). In sum, he injected three
different areas with medicinal needles, including the ankle, foot,
and thigh. Just prior to the procedure, I inquired to him about
potentially working on the thigh area as well (it has been leaking a
substantial amount of lymph fluid in recent times). So (despite his
grueling schedule that day), he graciously agreed to inject that area
as well (as opposed to c02 lasering it, which we have done on that
particular area in the past).
Prior to the operation, I was required
to have a series of pulmonary functioning tests done. The was my
first time ever undergoing this specific series of tests; the
reasoning behind the testing was due to one of the chemo medications
in which Dr. Alomari was going to be injecting within me. Even though
the amount in which he injected was incredibly bijou, the testing was
still a hospital requirement as a mere matter of precaution. Below
are three pictures mom took while I was undergoing the testing; I had
no idea she was even taking them until she texted them to me later!
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| Pf Test |
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| Me and Katelynn after surgery yesterday |
Now, onto some of the more personal
details regarding the day... I awoke feeling a great deal of
anticipation, keen to have the procedure done with as I could hardly
tolerate the pain any longer. The throbbing and burning sensation
throughout my foot and ankle was momentous in nature, and I had no
abatement from the lidoderm patches the night prior...much to my
disappointment. Just before the procedure, I was greeted by one of my
favorite hospital staffers to date, Jenn from hematology. I first met
her several months back prior to starting the Sirolimus. She is so
incredibly kind in nature, and such a truly thoughtful person. Even
though I am no longer one of her patients, she still took time out of
her busy day to come by and (literally) hold my before I was taken
into the procedure room. Tomorrow, I will be meeting with her and Dr.
Trenor at 9 a.m. To devise a plan about safely resuming the Sirolimus
sometime in the near future (more about that in a future post). I am
quite fond of Dr. Trenor as well, and feel incredibly lucky to have
such a world renown hematologist as part of my staff. The way in
which I see it (based upon several testimonials I have heard from
chronic illness colleagues throughout the past several years), a Dr.
who is good at his craft is a dime a dozen. However, to have a Dr.
who is both empathetic and skilled in his/her specialty is, well,
incredibly rare. I can truly say that all my Dr.'s ooze both empathy
and knowledge, which is why I continue to trust them with my life and
will always speak highly of them.
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| Me and Dr. A right after surgery |
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| Dr. A and the amazing Cindy K. from interventional radiology. Love these two! |
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| Picture of thigh area right after surgery! |
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| Me in recovery room following surgery |
Before I get too off topic, though,
there are some shout-outs in which I would like to give! One is to
Jose, the interventional imaging specialist who has worked on me
within the past when I was vehemently ill. He so good-kindheartedly
stopped by the waiting room just prior to my procedure to say hello,
something in which he has done in the past as well. He is such an
incredibly kind man; if you are reading this, Jose, thank you for the
visit and all of the graciousness in which you have shown me in the
past! Also, I would like to say hello to Pradeep, who is training
under the skilled hands of Dr. Alomari. Everytime I see him he is so
refined in nature and genuinely seems to care about his patients'
well-being... I have no doubt that he will be a patient favorite one
day and that he will continue to excel at his occupation as learns
from Dr. Alomari. Also, a major thank you to Cindy for all in which
she has done for me over these past several years. Whether or not she
realizes it, she has truly been such a calming presence throughout
all of my anxiety driven episodes and a pillar of strength. Aside
from this, she is so enlightening as a nurse practitioner and overall
person in general.
Upon awaking from surgery yesterday, I
noticed that my post-operation nurse was actually a familiar
face...it was Katelyn from 10 North West (the surgerical floor in
which I am nearly always hospitalized on when inpatient). Turns out,
she made the transition from floor nurse to post-op nurse a few
months back. Although my memories from after the operation yesterday
are rather hazy, I recall how lovely it was to have her as my
caretaker again. She is so sweet! If you are reading this, Katelynn,
thank you for all of your good care in the past, it was a pleasure to
see you again yesterday (at least given the circumstances!). Also, a
dear friend of my family (Jodie) and her sister-in-law surprised me
with a visit just prior to my operation yesterday. Her son, Ben (a
friend and fellow Klippel patient), just had a major operation done
and is currently hospitalized across the street from Children's
Hospital. Despite all of the post-op stress in which their family has
surely been enduring, they so generously came to greet my mom and I.
It is people as endearing as them who truly who inspire me to be a
better person... they are always thinking of others despite their own
plights. Please say some prayers for my friend Ben as he continues to
recuperate from his operation and regain some of his strength back.
Wishing you nothing but the best, Ben!
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| Adorable stuffed animal the beautiful Jodie and her lovely sister-in-law brought to me just prior to my procedure! |
And, as always, thank you to my other
friends and family for being there for me through thick and thin. As
I have said in the past, having a chronic illness is truly a blessing
in disguise... It has aided me in helping to realize who my true
friends are throughout the years! It is easy to be there for people
throughout the good, but to continuously be there for them throughout
their trials and tribulations is another... well, that is what being
a genuine friend is all about!
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| Thigh area today, no flash |
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| Thigh area today, flash |
Love you all so much, and will update
soon!
Lots of love,
Ari
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