May have to cancel trip

[shaz105]

Hi

Sorry to hear about your sad news i do hope you go on your trip and things work out for you.

My thoughs and prayers are with you that the blood clots go away

 

[disney_princess_85]

Just dropping by to say I'm sorry you're going through this. Thank God you caught it in time! Fingers crossed you'll be able to go on your trip.

Good luck.

 

[jenshell75]

aussietravellers, I am sorry to hear your sad news, I am sending you many good health wishes for a speedy recovery and a fast pass to WDW.

 

[aussiemickeys]

I just wanted to send our best wishes to you as well!

 

[darren123]

Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery

 

[aussietravellers]

Just a little update.

Have not been on the boards much, the whole thing with the torn artery has been very overwhelming and really I have been thinking that we just won't be going on the trip now so its hard to come here being excited when the reality is that we probably won't be going.

Have been put on other medication as well as blood thinnners to lower my blood pressure and slow my heart rate to give the artery a bit of a rest.

Saw the Neurologist today and he thinks that I will probably be able to fly. I am now booked for a follow up MRI/MRA at the end of August, so exactly two weeks before we are due to go so fingers crossed it will heal quickly.

I am going to see another neurologist for a second opinion next week so I'll see what he says about travel too, my current neurologist is lovely but he just doesn't seem to be providing much information. So if I get another more than likely thumbs up next week I will be all over the place and right back into the swing of planning (although WDW is pretty much planned, it's NY that has planning left).

Anyway thanks again to everybody here for their kind words and support

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks for the update.

Just take care and get better. I hope that it's the best news for you next week .

 

[cola]

my current neurologist is lovely but he just doesn't seem to be providing much information I've encountered quite a few specialists over the years. Usually the more they know about their specialist area, the less they tell you. I'm not sure if it's because they assume everyone knows what they know, or if it is because they see so many strange twists they don't want to get it wrong. I'm all for second opinions (they've saved my life in the past ). If you still want more info after the second opinion and are happy with your GP, go to your GP with any questions, they can often get more info that the patient! Even the receptionist at your GP will probably get more info, receptionists seem to happily talk to other receptionists.

 

[glara]

I've been wondering how you were doing...hope you do get some definitive answers soon, and that your trip gets the go ahead.

 

[Mum from oz]

Glad to hear you are ok. Fingers crossed for good news for you

 

[KristiKelly]

Hi aussietraveler,
I just responded to your post on the disabilities board then found this thread. I am doing alot of internet reading just to hear other's stories and healing process.

When I read that you went to a chiropractor I did cringe, that was one of the 1st things the dr.s told my husband regarding VAD was absolutely NO chiro adjustments.

My husband has complained with headaches in the back of his head/neck for about 2 years. He was told they were cluster headaches and made to feel pretty stupid by an E.R. dr a couple of years ago. Hindsight 20/20, I wish we had demanded an mri, I think his VAD has been brewing for a couple of years now.

I wish you the best of luck in your healing and take care of yourself! Please remember - WDW will be there - take time to heal!!!

 

[aussietravellers]

Hi aussietraveler,
I just responded to your post on the disabilities board then found this thread. I am doing alot of internet reading just to hear other's stories and healing process.

When I read that you went to a chiropractor I did cringe, that was one of the 1st things the dr.s told my husband regarding VAD was absolutely NO chiro adjustments.

My husband has complained with headaches in the back of his head/neck for about 2 years. He was told they were cluster headaches and made to feel pretty stupid by an E.R. dr a couple of years ago. Hindsight 20/20, I wish we had demanded an mri, I think his VAD has been brewing for a couple of years now.

I wish you the best of luck in your healing and take care of yourself! Please remember - WDW will be there - take time to heal!!!

Thanks Kristikelly

Yes I also had a fit when I realised what I had and the fact that I had been going to the chiropractor 3 times a week with a VAD. I am so very very lucky that I didn't have a stroke or worse. I think maybe I was lucky, due to the fact that my neck was just so sore that the chiro would ice it at every visit before any manipulations and also as I have a fused third and forth vertebrae without a disc, he was very very gentle. But I do know how lucky I am to have this and to have not suffered a stroke or worse.

I am at week 10 now (week 5 after diagnosis) and I'm feeling pretty good, only a little neck pain every now and then and the odd headache. The main thing I get is lightheadedness. I'm seeing a new neurologist next week, I did go to another one for a 2nd opinion but he was a neurosurgeon so he said to go and see another neurologist that is upstairs, in the same building.

I am only on aspirin and then a blood pressure medication to lower my blood pressure. I only have the dissection in the right vertebral artery and there is still a little blood flow in that artery (although not much).

I have been told by my cardiologist also that flying shouldn't be a problem, that flying doesn't affect this so if I get the all clear from this neurologist too then that is three DR's who have said flying is fine. It will just be rides and my luggage lifting that will be the problem. We have been to WDW a few times now and we are there for three weeks, so we will just be taking it easy, having pool days and just going at a steady pace. Luckily my son is not a huge fan of rollercoasters so it will just be the slow rides if we go. I was wondering about rides like TSM though, the way they spin and whip you around, I hope that will be ok to ride.

Anyway thank you so much for posting and I hope that your DH recovers soon from his (although it seems to take such a long time to heal). It is just such a big shock isn't it when you find out about this, particularly when you've never heard of it before and I hadn't. I have been visting the VAD website. That was a wonderful thing for somebody to start as there are so few people with this and it's nice being able to find others to share with who are going through the same thing.

 

[glara]

Glad to hear that you are feeling much better - and are also still on track for your holiday!

 

[queenie82]

I'm also so happy to hear things have been going ok!
TSM is a tricky one. I remember being really surprised at how jerky it is. But having been on it you know how it feels and if you brace yourself it should be ok.
If you are feeling a bit off then give it a miss...but just see how you feel.
I was always an adrenaline junkie but I've had to put a limit on myself and know when to say no since I got my condition.

Thankfully you have been before and have the time to relax.
AKL is such a wonderful place to base yourself!!!
Take care of yourself

 

[aussietravellers]

Another update. I am 99.9% sure that we will still be going on our trip.

Went to a new neurologist today for a another opinion and he was just fantastic! Have decided to go with him and cancel my appointment next month with my current neurologist. My new neuro has ordered more lots more tests, changed my medication but said that I will be right to travel to the US in September! Woo Hoo

Now I just hope that the test results come back with a good result and that some show some improvement on the MRA from 6 weeks ago.

But it's all looking very promising and it really makes you feel so much better when you find a good Dr

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

That is awesome news .

A good doctor that you feel gets you and is proactive and understands is such a gift. It really makes a difference.

 

[cola]

Yay for the new doctor!!!! Yay for your trip!! Just remember no lifting you get to be a princess for this trip, no touching the suitcases, even moving them! You are only allowed to open and shut them. Everyone has to carry their own bottle of water!

 

[shaz105]

That great news - about the trip

Also great news also and finding a great doctor it gives you peace of mind i bet.

 

[shushh]

Glad to hear that things are going well and hurray for a go on the trip!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Glad you can now focus on the countdown!