Leg work

Before we had any of our kids I had some varicose vein issues in my legs, and four kids later they are notably worse. I went into a radiologist here in town in July to have the veins assessed, and they were deemed to be "medically necessary" by our insurance. So this past week I went in and had them done. Left leg Wednesday, right leg Friday. Took about two hours per leg from start to finish. I really liked the doctor, Dr. Herzig, and his team. I lay on a table next to an ultrasound machine (which they'd used for a comprehensive two-hour mapping process in July), and they anesthetized the leg they were working on so it wasn't painful except a few short times, just strange and a bit awkward at times. The big question was whether or not to take the anxiety medication they'd routinely prescribed, Xanax, which does nothing for pain relief but just helps keep patients calm. In the end I didn't do it... I figured, if I can do drug-free births repeatedly, do I really need something to help me get through someone working on my legs with anesthesia? And that was fine in the end. Sore the following day and stairs a big hard to navigate. But not too bad.

Compression stockings on with bandages beneath for three days, day and night, so tonight I can take them off and shower -- which will be great. Then three weeks wearing the stockings daily and then I should be in the clear. Big bruises now, which is to be expected, but all should be most worth it in the end.