Takayasu arteritis is a complex and challenging condition
Sorry could not upload the snaps of the angiography, they are extremely good!
snapshots of the angiography performed by Dr Dhani on 8th Dec 2003 at 8pm. What followed next was a chain of events that will haunt me for the rest of my life. While the operation was on I was in touch with my family doctor back home, during the course of my conversation he suddenly asked me to hand the mobile to Dr.Apurva. He instructed Dr Apurve to run an investigation on Liz to determine whether she had Takayasu arteritis, this was a new word that I had never heard of and from Dr.Apurva's facial expressions, I kind of guessed it was something not of the ordinary, made a mental note of it and decided I would get in touch with my doctor after the operation.
From the results of the angiography, it was confirmed that the artery carrying blood to the foot had a blockage in it and that the blockage was in the ankle. Conclusion An immediate operation of microscopic proportions would have to be performed and that too with abs no guarantee that it could be pulled off. The other option was an injection, (ST.PASE INJ ), so Heparin was stated for 2 days then Liz was diagnosed with thrombolysis with SK for 48 hr.T these 48 hours were a nerve-racking period, for both Liz and myself. I phoned my doctor next and asked him what was Takayasu arthritis, and he told me ran my blood cold. I walked to the nearest cyber cafe to surf the internet to glean what I could about this dreaded disease. I was numb and I felt a vice-like dread gripping my very being, the more I read the more I was convinced there was very little hope to hold on to. I returned to the hospital with a heavy heart and a dread of impending doom.
The staff at the Sal Hospital were very cordial, the interims, and the doctors were considerate and made the patients at the hospital feel comfortable, there was an air of trust that the doctors instilled into the patients. Liz had been monitored around the clock by a batch of competent nurses and young interim doctors who were ever ready with a smile and an encouraging word. Liz's condition was stable there was a slight improvement in the temperature of her foot, but the pain persisted and she was put on heavy painkillers. The doctors speculated as to what action should be taken, should they go in for an amputation of the foot, if so how much of the leg should be amputated, since the blockage was in the ankle should they amputate just above the ankle leaving most of the leg intact. The very fact of having a part of her leg amputated sends shivers down my spine. Liz was devastated, she asked me to take her home and to let providence play its part. I approached Dr Apurva the chief surgeon and told him of our decision. He was very considerate and only wished us the very best, before parting he advised us to see that under no condition was Liz to hurt that foot or even get it scraped as it would never heal. He also assured us should we ever need his services in the future he would be there for us. With a heavy heart, and dreading what was going to happen in the near future I packed our stuff got a cab and left Sal Hospital on the 13th Dec 2003 for our Abode in Mount Abu.
snapshots of the angiography performed by Dr Dhani on 8th Dec 2003 at 8pm. What followed next was a chain of events that will haunt me for the rest of my life. While the operation was on I was in touch with my family doctor back home, during the course of my conversation he suddenly asked me to hand the mobile to Dr.Apurva. He instructed Dr Apurve to run an investigation on Liz to determine whether she had Takayasu arteritis, this was a new word that I had never heard of and from Dr.Apurva's facial expressions, I kind of guessed it was something not of the ordinary, made a mental note of it and decided I would get in touch with my doctor after the operation.
From the results of the angiography, it was confirmed that the artery carrying blood to the foot had a blockage in it and that the blockage was in the ankle. Conclusion An immediate operation of microscopic proportions would have to be performed and that too with abs no guarantee that it could be pulled off. The other option was an injection, (ST.PASE INJ ), so Heparin was stated for 2 days then Liz was diagnosed with thrombolysis with SK for 48 hr.T these 48 hours were a nerve-racking period, for both Liz and myself. I phoned my doctor next and asked him what was Takayasu arthritis, and he told me ran my blood cold. I walked to the nearest cyber cafe to surf the internet to glean what I could about this dreaded disease. I was numb and I felt a vice-like dread gripping my very being, the more I read the more I was convinced there was very little hope to hold on to. I returned to the hospital with a heavy heart and a dread of impending doom.
The staff at the Sal Hospital were very cordial, the interims, and the doctors were considerate and made the patients at the hospital feel comfortable, there was an air of trust that the doctors instilled into the patients. Liz had been monitored around the clock by a batch of competent nurses and young interim doctors who were ever ready with a smile and an encouraging word. Liz's condition was stable there was a slight improvement in the temperature of her foot, but the pain persisted and she was put on heavy painkillers. The doctors speculated as to what action should be taken, should they go in for an amputation of the foot, if so how much of the leg should be amputated, since the blockage was in the ankle should they amputate just above the ankle leaving most of the leg intact. The very fact of having a part of her leg amputated sends shivers down my spine. Liz was devastated, she asked me to take her home and to let providence play its part. I approached Dr Apurva the chief surgeon and told him of our decision. He was very considerate and only wished us the very best, before parting he advised us to see that under no condition was Liz to hurt that foot or even get it scraped as it would never heal. He also assured us should we ever need his services in the future he would be there for us. With a heavy heart, and dreading what was going to happen in the near future I packed our stuff got a cab and left Sal Hospital on the 13th Dec 2003 for our Abode in Mount Abu.
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