Trip 6

My Summary

July 8-10 2008

Josh's mom, Jan, came down to make the trip with me this time. Again, we met a lady on the plane who used to be a nurse and now worked in some crazy job where she dealt with the legal aspect of medical claim reviews and was often an expert witness in trials. But when she was a nurse in Hawaii, she worked for a doctor that treated AVM's!!! Such a small world. So we talked with her on our way down to San Diego for our stop over.

We arrived in Denver and went directly to see Dr. Reed. No real exam again this time but he did check things out and was glad to hear about my HBOT treatments over the last month. He was glad that the size of my lip was smaller and felt encouraged about the wound beginning to heal.

Jan and I then went downtown to 16th street (fun outdoor, pedestrian shopping area) for lunch and people watching! I was totally good and avoided ALL shoe stores, but my weakness won out when we walked by Ann Taylor Loft. My "let's just go in and look real quick" turned into Jan convincing me to buy a super cute little white swing jacket. It was only sale!!!! It was only $30, how could I pass it up?!?!? I promised myself not to eat for the next two days to recoup my money... (It was only a coincidence that I had to fast for my treatment and wouldn't each much afterwards!)

Went to Swedish the next morning, and everyone again was pleased with how my lip was looking. Went through the regular routine and woke up in post-op. Rhonda, Dr Yakes PA, said he "hit me hard" this time around and used a total of 34 ml of ethanol. The previous high was only 11 ml. My face was very swollen this time around. For the next few days I could barely open my eye and was seriously the drool queen! I had new blisters on the side of my face which eventually turned into another scabby wound...and my surprise bonus hole in my face! Due to the aggressive treatment, Rhonda recommended that we wait six weeks before coming back this time around.

Made it home and Jan continued her road trip down to visit Grandpa Joe & Grandma Sue in Morro Bay.

Continue to Trip 7

Medical Mumbo Jumbo

Indication: Massive left facial arteriovenous malformation, pain and swelling symptoms, non-healing ulcer in the lip, sever pain syndrome, intermittent bleeding, and intermittent infections.

Report of Operation

Operation: Repair of left facial AVM reparative procedure

Complications: None

Estimated Blood Loss: Less than 5 ml.

Operation Notes: ...No arteriograms this time.

Utilizing a 23 gauge needle access to the malformation of he left facial area is accomplished, contrast was injected, angiogram performed and the study reviewed. Serial injection for a total of 6 ml of ethanol was utilized to treat that compartment.

A second area of malformation was then accessed percutaneously in the left facial area by direct puncture, contrast injected, angiogram performed and the study reviewed. Serial injection for a total of 10 ml of ethanol was utilized to treat the compartment.

A third and final compartment was then accessed percutaneously in the left facial area by direct puncture, contrast injected, angiogram performed and the study reviewed. Serial injection for a total of 18 ml of ethanol was utilized to treat the compartment.

At this point control angiograms were performed on all three compartments thrombosis. The procedure was then terminated.