He is supposed to be the BEST in this field!!!! I am at work so I can not stay to long here. My I.R. is going to call me back in a day or two... WE ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!
Update....
The IR called me this am, surgery is set for Monday 03-02-09 at 9am in OKC at Mercy Hospital.. Said I will probaly stay over night if not a few days, because of what happened the last time and he is also going to use the Gamma Knife this time, or at least that is what their plans are. They won't know till they get started and finished how things will work out. He said the risk is much higher than the last time, beacuse of all they are going to do. I won't think about that though, beacuse I might scare myself out of having it done. REO will let you know as soon as she can what things are...Ok Guys time to do what we do best here...PRAY!!!!!!! Thanks Art and Theresa
What they can do now a days!
Procedure they are going to do (try). I have cut alot out, it was 4 pages long. This is what the IR sent me as to what they hope this will do.....
Catheter Embolization...
In a catheter embolization procedure, medications or synthetic materials called embolic agents are placed through a catheter into a blood vessel to prevent blood flow to the area.
Various sized metallic coils made of stainless steel or platinum are used to block or occlude large arteries. They can be positioned very precisely to stop bleeding from an injured artery or halt arterial blood flow into an aneurysm.
Liquid sclerosing agents ssuch as alcohols, which are used to destroy blood vessels and vessel malformations. Filling a vessel or a vascular malformation with this liquid agent causes blood clots to form, closing up the abnormal vascular channels.
Liquid glue... When injected into the target channel that needs to be closed off, it hardens quickly.
These methods can be used to treat tumors and vascular malformations that either cannot be removed surgically or would involve great risk if surgery was attempted.
Catheter embolization is performed to:
Control or prevent abnormal bleeding, including:
Occlude or close off the vessels that are supplying blood to a tumor, especially when the tumor is difficult or impossible to remove. After embolization a tumor may shrink or it may continue to grow but more slowly, making chemotherapy or surgery a more effective option.
Eliminate an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or arteriovenous fistula (AVF) (abnormal connection or connections between arteries and veins). These passageways, which may occur anywhere in the body including the brain or spinal cord, act like a short circuit diverting blood from fully circulating and delivering oxygen where it is needed.
Treat aneurysms (a bulge or sac formed in a weak artery wall) by either blocking an artery supplying the aneurysm or closing the aneusymal sac itself as an alternative to surgery.
Using x-ray imaging and a contrast material to visualize the blood vessel, the interventional radiologist inserts a catheter through the skin into a blood vessel and advances it to the treatment site. A synthetic material or medication called an embolic agent is then inserted through the catheter and positioned within the blood vessel or malformation where it will remain permanently.
Using image-guidance, a catheter (a long, thin, hollow plastic tube) is inserted through the skin into a blood vessel and maneuvered to the treatment site.
A contrast material then is injected through the catheter and a series of x-rays are taken to locate the exact site of bleeding or abnormality. The medication or embolic agent is then injected through the catheter. Additional angiograms are taken to ensure the loss of blood flow in the target vessel or malformation.
The interventional radiologist can advise you as to whether the procedure was a technical success when it is completed.
In cases of bleeding, it may take 24 hours to know whether it has stopped. After embolization of a tumor or vascular malformation, one to three months may have to pass before it is clear whether symptoms have been controlled or eliminated.
At the end of the procedure, the catheter will be removed and pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding. The opening in the skin is then covered with a dressing.
Catheter embolization may be used alone or combined with other treatments such as surgery or radiation.
How should I prepare?
Prior to your procedure, your blood may be tested to determine how well your liver and kidneys are functioning and whether your blood clots normally.
You will be admitted to the hospital on the morning of your procedure and be assessed by the interventional radiologist before the procedure begins.
You should plan to stay overnight at the hospital for one or more days.
Risks...
Any procedure that involves placement of a catheter inside a blood vessel carries certain risks. These risks include damage to the blood vessel, bruising or bleeding at the puncture site, and infection.
There is always a chance that an embolic agent can lodge in the wrong place and deprive normal tissue of its oxygen supply.
There is a risk of infection after embolization, even if an antibiotic has been given.
In a percentage of cases, the procedure is not technically possible because the catheter cannot be positioned appropriately. Whether clinical success is achieved depends on many factors, including the size of a tumor, the location of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and how the patient views the outcome. Several sessions of embolization may be needed to reduce symptoms from an AVM.
The IR told me on the phone today, I am running out of time, my blood work is not the best, liver is struggling and so is my heart. Sounds scary, but we are ready and as prepared as we can be. I plan on being around for mannnnnnnny more years. This just has to help, and if we have to keep doing this, we will. We know that with the prayers and support of our families, friends and this forum family this is going to be our miracle. And we won't have to do this again and again. We have seen many miracles on this forum, and Dreamer has recieved one herself from here. Art and I are going to spend the weekend alone, quality time. I will try to get back here before we go, but if not, please know..."That Art and I Love and Cherish each and everyone of you on this forum"...You have been here for us in the good, the sad, the new beginnings, and the possibility of the endings. Thank you my friends....Theresa and Art
Update....
The IR called me this am, surgery is set for Monday 03-02-09 at 9am in OKC at Mercy Hospital.. Said I will probaly stay over night if not a few days, because of what happened the last time and he is also going to use the Gamma Knife this time, or at least that is what their plans are. They won't know till they get started and finished how things will work out. He said the risk is much higher than the last time, beacuse of all they are going to do. I won't think about that though, beacuse I might scare myself out of having it done. REO will let you know as soon as she can what things are...Ok Guys time to do what we do best here...PRAY!!!!!!! Thanks Art and Theresa
What they can do now a days!
Procedure they are going to do (try). I have cut alot out, it was 4 pages long. This is what the IR sent me as to what they hope this will do.....
Catheter Embolization...
In a catheter embolization procedure, medications or synthetic materials called embolic agents are placed through a catheter into a blood vessel to prevent blood flow to the area.
Various sized metallic coils made of stainless steel or platinum are used to block or occlude large arteries. They can be positioned very precisely to stop bleeding from an injured artery or halt arterial blood flow into an aneurysm.
Liquid sclerosing agents ssuch as alcohols, which are used to destroy blood vessels and vessel malformations. Filling a vessel or a vascular malformation with this liquid agent causes blood clots to form, closing up the abnormal vascular channels.
Liquid glue... When injected into the target channel that needs to be closed off, it hardens quickly.
These methods can be used to treat tumors and vascular malformations that either cannot be removed surgically or would involve great risk if surgery was attempted.
Catheter embolization is performed to:
Control or prevent abnormal bleeding, including:
Occlude or close off the vessels that are supplying blood to a tumor, especially when the tumor is difficult or impossible to remove. After embolization a tumor may shrink or it may continue to grow but more slowly, making chemotherapy or surgery a more effective option.
Eliminate an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or arteriovenous fistula (AVF) (abnormal connection or connections between arteries and veins). These passageways, which may occur anywhere in the body including the brain or spinal cord, act like a short circuit diverting blood from fully circulating and delivering oxygen where it is needed.
Treat aneurysms (a bulge or sac formed in a weak artery wall) by either blocking an artery supplying the aneurysm or closing the aneusymal sac itself as an alternative to surgery.
Using x-ray imaging and a contrast material to visualize the blood vessel, the interventional radiologist inserts a catheter through the skin into a blood vessel and advances it to the treatment site. A synthetic material or medication called an embolic agent is then inserted through the catheter and positioned within the blood vessel or malformation where it will remain permanently.
Using image-guidance, a catheter (a long, thin, hollow plastic tube) is inserted through the skin into a blood vessel and maneuvered to the treatment site.
A contrast material then is injected through the catheter and a series of x-rays are taken to locate the exact site of bleeding or abnormality. The medication or embolic agent is then injected through the catheter. Additional angiograms are taken to ensure the loss of blood flow in the target vessel or malformation.
The interventional radiologist can advise you as to whether the procedure was a technical success when it is completed.
In cases of bleeding, it may take 24 hours to know whether it has stopped. After embolization of a tumor or vascular malformation, one to three months may have to pass before it is clear whether symptoms have been controlled or eliminated.
At the end of the procedure, the catheter will be removed and pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding. The opening in the skin is then covered with a dressing.
Catheter embolization may be used alone or combined with other treatments such as surgery or radiation.
How should I prepare?
Prior to your procedure, your blood may be tested to determine how well your liver and kidneys are functioning and whether your blood clots normally.
You will be admitted to the hospital on the morning of your procedure and be assessed by the interventional radiologist before the procedure begins.
You should plan to stay overnight at the hospital for one or more days.
Risks...
Any procedure that involves placement of a catheter inside a blood vessel carries certain risks. These risks include damage to the blood vessel, bruising or bleeding at the puncture site, and infection.
There is always a chance that an embolic agent can lodge in the wrong place and deprive normal tissue of its oxygen supply.
There is a risk of infection after embolization, even if an antibiotic has been given.
In a percentage of cases, the procedure is not technically possible because the catheter cannot be positioned appropriately. Whether clinical success is achieved depends on many factors, including the size of a tumor, the location of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and how the patient views the outcome. Several sessions of embolization may be needed to reduce symptoms from an AVM.
The IR told me on the phone today, I am running out of time, my blood work is not the best, liver is struggling and so is my heart. Sounds scary, but we are ready and as prepared as we can be. I plan on being around for mannnnnnnny more years. This just has to help, and if we have to keep doing this, we will. We know that with the prayers and support of our families, friends and this forum family this is going to be our miracle. And we won't have to do this again and again. We have seen many miracles on this forum, and Dreamer has recieved one herself from here. Art and I are going to spend the weekend alone, quality time. I will try to get back here before we go, but if not, please know..."That Art and I Love and Cherish each and everyone of you on this forum"...You have been here for us in the good, the sad, the new beginnings, and the possibility of the endings. Thank you my friends....Theresa and Art
Last edited by a moderator:
) but I can't seem to make my mind translate I.R. . Anyway assuming that its a new specialist in a field that may be of some help for you, I am soo glad for you. I will be keeping my proverbial fingers crossed that he will have some good news for you!!
