It was supposed to be the family vacation of a lifetime. That’s what Universal Studios represents...a dream come true. Magical, even. However the reality was, for Samantha, a sad and painful experience. Samantha had been experiencing leg swelling and pain for years. When her family decided to schedule a dream trip to Disney, she was hesitant. Little did she know, because of her legs, how horrible the experience would be.
After sitting through the airplane ride to Florida, and then being on her feet all day walking through the park, afternoons and evenings were miserable. The pain was so intense, she was forced to stop, sit on benches and tell her husband and kids to enjoy the park without her. Not only was she suffering from debilitating leg pain and swelling, she now also felt like she was letting her family down.
Samantha, 39 years old, had dealt with leg pain and swelling for years. Her condition worsened to the point where it was impossible to enjoy time with her husband, son and 4-year old daughter. Pain and swelling every evening forced her to sit and elevate her legs to try and find relief, while everyone else was out having fun. Then at night while she was trying to sleep, horrible leg cramps kept her awake. It was an endless cycle that just kept getting worse.
Samantha saw information on a free vein screening with Missouri Vein Care and, on a whim, decided to set an appointment. For years, she’d though her problems were the result of tired achy muscles...never realizing it was something that was treatable. When the ultrasound revealed a vein condition, Samantha was elated! Finally! There was now a solution - and for the first time in years, Samantha had hope.
“Going into treatment,” Samantha says, “My legs hurt so bad I couldn’t get down on the floor with my 4-year old daughter. My goal was to be able to spend time with her - ride a bike, play outside…all those things I couldn’t do.”
Samantha says she noticed a difference in her legs almost immediately. She smiles, laughs and almost dances as she lists all the things she can do now that weren’t possible before: “I have a totally different lifestyle! I get home at night and don’t need to sit down. I can go up and down the street, jump on the trampoline, help my daughter with gymnastics, and actually sit on the floor and do stretches with her. I couldn’t do any of that before.”
What’s more, after treatment, Samantha was inspired to a second shot at that dream vacation with her family. “It was a wonderful experience! We went to Disney, and this time, I was able to go to all the parks, walk all day, come back in the evenings...and still go swimming!”
She says her goal now is to spread the word to anybody who will listen. “Dr. Ryan is amazing! If somebody says they have heavy, achy legs…I tell them to call right away. There’s no sense in waiting and making yourself miserable when you can have it fixed now. After my very first procedure, just like Dr. Ryan predicted, the cramps went away. From day one, you’ll start feeling better.”
“Look at me” she yells, “I got my life back!”
See more of Samantha's story here: