Day 2- Treatment 1

I took my 50 mg of Ultram for pain last night as recommended. I took a cat nap, but I was not out cold. The pain narcotic made me feel buzzed but I still had discomfort in my leg. My husband has researched on-line and found that it was common for the lidocaine to discolor the skin. The nurse explained to me this morning that the large white spot above my stocking was a result of having so much fluid pumped in me the day before.

As directed, I took my "bird bath" this morning. It is not easy to get clean while half hanging in the bath tub using the spray hose. I can't take the stocking off to shower nor can I get it wet.

After my "bath", I was able to pull the stocking back to remove the large pads of gauze. The twisted rope vein by my knee wasn't even visible. I was concerned about the red marks on my leg, but the nurse today told me that was not a problem. The large reddish/purple mark above the compression stocking line is the beginning of my bruising. I didn't have the courage, or the time, to count the injections marks in my leg, but I know that I have 6 injections in the reddish/purple area above the compression stockings.

I didn't take the Ultram before work today. The bottle warns that it could cause drowsiness and it is not recommended to operate a vehicle. I did take the maximum dosage of ibuprofen. I felt much better when I got home and took the Ultram.

Lesson of the Day: Don't wear khaki pants the day after this procedure. One of the injections above my stockings started to bleed through my pants. The lidocaine was oozing out all day. Once I identified which injection was oozing, I could control the mess without a band-aid that I changed multiple times through out the day. It was too late for my pants though.

Myth:"Rarely does bruising occur" according to the marketing material
Fact: See the picture. "Bruising and tenderness for a few weeks to a month"- Expectations of a successful procedure according to my "Postoperative Instructions for Endovascular Catheter Ablation"