75 Year-Old Bella Has a New Life. What’s her Secret?

Bella is my elderly neighbor. I’ve known her for a long time, but we’ve never talked like friends. I’ve seen her walking with a cane and it was obvious that every step was painful for her. But I’ve never felt comfortable enough to ask about her health.

A few days ago, I met Bella walking without her cane and looking a lot younger! I couldn’t resist asking what had caused such a metamorphosis in her life. She invited me to sit down on a nearby bench and told me her story.

I’m so happy to see you without the cane!
I couldn’t imagine my life without it for so many years. It’s all because of my veins. I’ve had this problem from my youth. It started with my first pregnancy. Nothing terrible—just spider veins. When I was 24 weeks pregnant my legs became swollen and tired. I felt terrible pain in my calves. My shoes didn’t fit me anymore. People told me not to worry, it happens from pregnancy, but it will go away. It never did. I had two more children and each time my problem worsened.

Couldn’t your doctors help?
What difference could they make? Endless diagnostics, tons of ointments and pills. Advising me to rest my legs on pillows, don’t lift anything heavy, exercise, no high heels and to watch my weight.
They were right. But who cares about such things when you’re young? There was no time for exercise with three kids. They were my gym. High heels? Don’t even think about it. We lived on the fourth floor so I ran up and down with babies, cribs, laundry, groceries. I ate fast food and eventually gained weight. So finally the veins on my legs became like thick, blue ropes. I couldn’t sleep at night because of the cramps. My doctor said surgery was inevitable if I didn’t want to make my kids orphans.

Did you agree to have surgery?
I did. I really had no choice. It was many years ago. I’m 75 now. But I remember it like it was yesterday. The surgery was a nightmare from complications with anesthesia. I had horrible pain afterwards and couldn’t walk without crutches. Months later, as usual, I put bandages on my legs and realized that the surgery didn’t change anything. I started to cry. I was saying goodbye to my dreams of wearing nice dresses and skirts.
I prayed it wouldn’t get worse, but it did. A trophic ulcer appeared on one of my legs. [A trophic ulcer forms when stagnated blood leads to skin malnourishment and non-healing skin lesions.] Because of my growing fear of surgeons I tried alternative methods. Herb potions brought only short relief. Years passed. My two daughters and son got married. But I couldn’t help them care for my grandchildren. I was literally disabled.

But you didn’t give up, right?
Actually, I almost did. My Mom had varicose veins too. It’s in our family. Once I heard from a distant relative that her older sister was struggling like me. Six months ago she went to USA Vein Clinics located on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn and was very happy with the treatment. I decided to give it a try. 
After the doctor diagnosed me, I expected him to say, “It’s too late.” Instead, he offered me several Endo-venous Laser Therapy (EVLT) procedures. I’ve received four procedures already. I didn’t pay a dime. Medicare fully covered it. My ulcer is gone. And as you can see, I don’t need a cane anymore!

You even look younger now!
Thank you! And I feel younger too. For our wedding anniversary we’re planning a trip. I have never travelled because of the varicose. I’m so grateful to the doctors of USA Vein Clinics. They gave me a new life!

USA Vein Clinics
New York
2511 Ocean Ave., Ste. 102
Brooklyn, NY 11229
1-866-994-4343
Chicago
800 Biesterfield Rd., Ste. 201
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 593-8460
Boston
1208 «B» VFW Pkwy., Ste. 300
West Roxbury, MA 02132
(617) 391-6900
Los Angeles
7901 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. 209
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 798-1800