My Doctor

I am happy to see the vascular/TOS surgeon who has treated my son, my daughter, and myself for TOS now has a web presence. Dr. John Collins Jr. at Borgess Hospital, Kalamazoo, (South West) Michigan. He knows his stuff! My decision to delay rib resection on my left side has nothing to do with my doctor and everything to do with recovery. And a bit of stubbornness. I hate depending on people to help me while recovering. Hate it. We are fortunate to have him and his TOS clinic in the area. If you're looking for a good TOS doctor in the midwest, I recommend him. http://www.mysurgicalgroup.com/ThoracicOutletSyndrome.html

TOS specific MRI

I am pleased to have corresponded with Dr. Werden and to include a link to his website on this blog. After reviewing the information on his site, I wish I lived closer to California so I could consult with him. For my fellow TOSers who do live closer, looks like a great option to pursue. We need all the options we can get! http://www.tosmri.com/index.html

Two steps forward, one step back

Not much new to report on my journey with TOS. I have been really appreciating the posts in the Facebook TOS forum recently, lots of useful info and encouraging support going on there-check it out! https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/15231937182/ Life with TOS continues to have its up's and down's. Good days and bad. I over do it quite often. I continue to "look fine", but I know that I am just one too tight hug from a well-meaning person away from throbbing arms and pain pills. Or one short drive on a windy day to the store giving my arms and neck too much of a work out from that all too-familiar ache. Tough to plan ahead, knowing that with TOS, I might not be able to make it even if I do commit to be there. Life continues to be juggled, managed and taken in slow steps.

Some days forward, some days backward a few. That's what it's like on my journey with TOS.