Vein surgery.

Back to the Netherlands

We got back to the Netherlands safe and sound yesterday, leaving Wales at 8am and arriving here at around 4.40pm.  Paul did all the driving as usual while I zzzzz'd, yawn.  There was a bit of sleet on the way through Belgium and we learnt that more snow had fallen in Wales after we left.  Darn! 

Oh.... and Paul left his shoes behind in Wales by mistake he so may end up spending the next few weeks in flip flops until we can retrieve them (bear in mind it is winter...  But then again I, myself, spend most of my time in flip flops throughout the year even in winter.  Mad??!!!  But my African-born feet need to breathe, feel fresh air ....).

Today Paul had an incompetent vein in his calf zapped today.  Tiny valves in the vein were not working properly and he developed a blood clot (fortunately not a deep vein thrombosis/clot!) quite a while back during his last cruise contract.  He has been on a low dose of blood thinners since then and has had to wear rather 'fetching' compression stockings.

Apparently the ablation (cauterise/burning) of the vein didn't hurt.  Paul had a local anaesthetic beforehand and a small laser probe was manipulated up to the bad vein and a laser beam was used to burn and close the vein.  I had to wait in the waiting room while the treatment took place and wished I could have been allowed to go in to watch. 

After the procedure Paul had to walk around for about 15 minutes to ensure everything was ok before he was re-examined and discharged.  He feels fine, with no pain, but is not allowed to drive.  So I drove us back to Paul's mum's place.  Paul will have to wear compression stockings for the next 2 weeks at least and will eventually have a consultant review to make sure that everything is going well.