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Jeff is scheduled to have his stent placed in his jugular vein on Tuesday, May 5th at Stanford University by Dr. Michael Dake. Details and results will follow.
This is moving faster than we expected...
AC

Cheer,

I think in a previous post, you mentioned that the doctor didn't think the procedure for putting the stent in was that big a deal. But it sounds fairly invasive to me. Is this pretty routine for vascular surgeons?

Also, once the stent is in, what's the plan? Just observe and see how Jeff feels?

Thanks for the continuing updates.

Mike

Hi Mike-
Dr. Dake is the premiere doc in the states for this endovascular procedure. He's invented/ patented FDA approved stents...so to him, it's a "no brainer."

Of course, to anyone looking forward to having a catheter inserted in their groin and up their leg, thru their chest to their neck, with a slinky-like metal stent on the end....it's a bigger deal.

Jeff will be watched post-op...but the risks with venous stents are much lower than arterial, because the pressure is less and risk of bleeding is less in veins.

Jeff's going along with this because he just trusts Dr. Dake...feels confidant, and has a lot of faith in God's protection. Me...I trust, too...but because I've brought my husband to this place, I'm (honestly) kinda nervous.
AC

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Chris...
these are not clots. It is not like plaques at all. They are stenosis, which is a narrowing of the vein. There is nothing to anti-coagulate. The vein needs to be opened up. Only a stent can do that.
AC

Man Chris, there lots of different kinds of things a cardiovascualar surgeon like Dr Dake can do for a cardiac artery issue or a vein issue and they pick the one that works with the kind of problem the person has.

Obviously Jeff needs a stent; his vein squishes shut so it needs something to keep it open. You might need something else maybe angioplasty would be best in your case they have to see to know. That is what the venograms or MRV are all about: they actually look at the problem and see what it is FOR YOU. Its going to be different for all of us.

Like one person might have a valve that is all goofed up, maybe they put a stent there to keep it open, or maybe in a different situation it would be repaired, depends on the need for preventing backflow at that location.

Or maybe a person has a big fat old plaque sitting right next to the juntion between two veins, perhaps there they can do the balloon angioplasty....or maybe they remove it instead depending on the situation

All these dicisions are made my thevascular surgeon, that's why they go to school for so very long after medical school is done. These guys go to school for like 15 YEARS . 10 years of all the med school stuff then 5 more of vascular surgery.

They have lots of tools in their tool box....

btw I am not a doctor just a nurse so I just made up situations based on my limited knowledge. I didn't go to school for 15 years but I'm glad someone did!

We wll have to check to find out what our doctors tell us, but the vascular doc who did my dopplers said that veins that have been repaired tend to plug back up with time and will often neeed another intervention.

I also know that wobbly said Zamboni told him he might plug back up sometime too. Repeat dopplers/MRV/checking down the road to make sure you stay clear will be part of our lives.

this is not apparently going to be a one time thing. I suspect that if you feel "bad" in the future checking the veins will be the first order of business

123

Thanks for explaining, Marie. Should have been more clear...need more coffee!
In Jeff's case his stenosis is due to a narrowing of the jugulars, but no clot. Appears to be something he was born with.

As Marie stated, only a vascular doctor can evaluate what is causing the blockage. Yours may be very different, Chris, and the doc will have to evaluate the best protocol for you. MS is most certainly a "fingerprint" disease.
AC

Isn't this just FUN--I feel like I am at a party!!!
I'll do my lampshade thing soon

WAAAAAA!!!! Party on, Marie! I need to walk the dog and step away from virtual world for awhile

Just talked to Jeff...he's flying home from NY and psyched about next week. Maybe I can finally get him to post on TIMS! It would be cool to have him check in, in real time, on Tuesday. (Only- no "twittering"...I think that's the lamest creation.)
AC

tweet tweet

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Jeff's heading up by himself tomorrow. ACK. I've gotta stick around with our son, who has a really busy week at school. Now that it's real, I'm excited/nervous. Got a reassuring e-mail from Dr. Dake. Jeff is psyched. But I feel responsible...Please God, all goes well.
AC (the agitated cheerleader)