Terry Clark has suffered from painful and unsightly varicose veins in her legs for years.
She called the veins “my mess.” The source of much “discomfort and pain,” varicose veins prevented Ms. Clark from doing many of the things she enjoys.
Decades ago, Clark underwent several “vein stripping”procedures in an effort to eliminate her vein problems.
“The doctors didn’t get all the veins,” she said.
Varicose veins continued to plague her life, but her primary care provider told her they were “just” varicose veins and there was no way to fix them.
Then Clark heard about a free vein screening hosted by the University of Florida Comprehensive Vein Center and its director, Peter Nelson, M.D. Nelson is an assistant professor of surgery in UF’s College of Medicine.
“I thought ‘Well, I’m just going to go in there and see what they can do,’” she said. “I saw Dr. Nelson and he looked at my mess and said that, yes, things could happen. It’ll take a little bit of work, but he can solve these problems that I have on my legs.”
Since then, Clark has undergone endovenous ablation, followed by ambulatory phlebectomy and sclerotherapy.
She said has noticed a marked improvement in her legs, and in her self-image.
“After my surgeries, now I can do a lot of things. I can climb mountains. And my legs don’t hurt,” Clark said. “Everything is improving. I feel better about myself.”
She says her legs “will never be perfect,” but the improvements have moved her to recommend the Vein Center to others.
With permission from her employer, Clark recommends her patients with varicose vein problems see Dr. Nelson.
“He gave me hope and he always listened. He always answered my questions. He always put my mind at mind at rest, especially when the surgeries came about,” she said.