These Little Secrets Men Have. One Man’s Story of Taking Care of Himself

Traveling by bus has some advantages, especially if you’re on a 3-day tour. Since everybody’s stuck on the vehicle for hours at a time, you get to know your fellowpassengers. I happened to be on such a tour recently, sitting next to a good-natured, middle-aged gentleman. After a short stop, where we all got off the bus, he sat back down and was rubbing his leg.
"Did you hurt yourself?" I asked.
"Oh, no," he said, "it's much better now."
It was as if I had opened some secret door, because he poured his story on me.

 
“I was a track-and-field coach,” he said. “Sports were where I excelled. When I had a burning sensation in my feet or sore muscles, I would attribute it to excessive training. Poor veins were something women had trouble with, you know? In fact, my wife suffered from it during and after her first pregnancy. Doctors recommended surgery, but she never went for it. And frankly, I didn’t try to talk her into it. I couldn’t imagine veins causing any real trouble!”
He looked out of the window, then continued. “After my family and I immigrated to America, I changed my occupation, but I never gave up physical activity. I was a healthy, 53-year-old man with no bad habits. But my pain got worse. At nights the cramps kept me awake, and I felt more and more miserable. I had to see a doctor.” 
“Did your wife take you?” I asked. 
“I kept her out of it,” he said. “You have to understand. I was the breadwinner, the head of the family. I didn’t want to look like a wimp. But I definitely needed help, so I went to USA Vein Clinic. It’s at 2511 Ocean Ave in Brooklyn, an easy location to get to. They told me I had a lower part venous insufficiency. The diagnosis was serious, but thank God, I was only at the beginning stage. It’s funny, because I knew I was sick, but when I heard it firsthand, it was like the most unexpected thing. I decided right then to get treatment.” 
“Was it covered by your insurance?” 
“It was! The clinic took care of it all. I didn’t have to do a thing. Meanwhile, they recommended compression stockings. Stockings, for a man! But I tried them, and I felt much better. In a month’s time, they scheduled my first laser treatment.” 
“Were you nervous?” I asked. 
“I was a nervous wreck, but it was much more tolerable than I’d anticipated, so my next procedures were easy. And I felt positive results right away. The burning sensation disappeared, my feet didn’t feel as heavy and bloated, and I started walking again. The real challenge was when I joined a group of friends for a hiking trip. I was scared, but everything went fine.” 
“And this after how many procedures?” I asked. 
“Only three! After the second one I had no more night cramps, and after the third, my vein looked and felt normal again.” 
“What about your wife?” 
His eyes flickered. “I had to tell her. She was so thrilled, she went to USA Vein Clinics. She says she should have done it a long time ago, but she was afraid. Now, she’s very eager. We’re both sure she’s in good hands, with knowledgeable doctors and up-to-date technology.”
As we came to the next stop, my new acquaintance added, “I know men don’t take vein problems seriously, but that’s a mistake. The sooner the problem is addressed, the better the results. I feel so good now, I could fly. I feel young again.” 
Looking at my new friend, I had to agree.

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