My Personal Story with Varicose Veins
Helping Others is my Passion!!
Hi, my name is Cheryl Nevin, and I have been nursing for 31 years as a RN which means a lot of time walking, walking and more walking on my feet while taking care of my patients. For the past 17 years which is more than half of my nursing career, I have been wearing compression stockings which has made a significant difference in the health of my leg veins.
When I was in my late 30's I was experiencing achy legs and some swelling after working long 12 hr shifts, and I tried to ignore those complaints. As time went on, the symptoms increased to further swelling, increased fatigue, and increased discomfort in both of my legs. My job environment at that time entailed working long 12 hr shifts and on my feet constantly which increased my chances for the development of varicose veins.
When I would come home from work after my long 12 hour shift, I would lay on my bed and elevate my feet against the wall which would provide some relief and decrease the swelling in both of my legs and ankles. However, the swelling would start all over again as I went back to my long 12 hour day job and non stop walking. Working long hours on my feet was not only a factor for me for developing varicose veins but my mother too suffered with the same condition. My mother suffered horribly with varicose veins, and to this day I can still see her unsightly enlarged rope like tortuous varicose veins in both of her legs from her ankles all the way up to her thighs.
My mother was in her early 40's at the time and I was in my teens when she suffered terribly with varicose veins. To this day I can picture her legs and it makes me feel queasy and uncomfortable.
My mother went to see a surgeon to have her varicose leg veins surgically stripped. She was told to wear the compression stockings after the surgery for a couple of weeks but after that I never saw her wear them again since she was not informed to do so by her Dr. She was told to wear the compression stockings after the
surgery for a couple of weeks but after that I never saw her wear
them again since she was not informed to do so by her Dr. As a result
the other veins in her leg became enlarged and swollen once again and
she started to complain of achy legs, fatigue and heaviness in her
lower legs. Back then, it was not encouraged to wear compression
stockings on a regular basis. Stripping the varicose veins,
sclerotherapy laser treatments and sclerotherapy injections are
procedures that are still done today, but that does not fix the
valves in the lower legs that are defective and inefficient to
adequately force blood back up to the heart.
Flashes of my mother's unsightly tortuous rope varicose veins bombarded my mind when I was experiencing achy legs, swelling and heaviness in my legs so it did not take me very long to get proactive. I was in my late 30's when I started to wear compression stockings, and the first time I wore them I was amazed and beyond impressed!! My legs were no longer swollen and I actually felt less tired. I didn't even have to lay in bed with my legs elevated up against the wall after working a 12 hour shift. I was amazed at the difference in my symptoms when I wore my compression stockings and that was enough to encourage me to keep being proactive. From that day on, I became a walking, talking, singing, dancing, running compression stocking lady!!
I had only two strikes against me as far as potentially getting varicose veins but I think the big one for me was hereditary. Working in a job on my feet for 12 hours increased my chances as well. There are other factors too that can increase your chances of developing varicose veins such as inactivity, constipation, age, sex, being overweight, and medication like birth control. I had none of those since I was working out about 4 times per week for 1 1/2hrs, very active lifestyle, not overweight, had good bowel movements, not on birth control medication, and I was young. Other than the family history and working 12 hour shifts, I was not your typical client that would have been predisposed to varicose veins. I do believe that the hereditary factor was the huge element that predisposed me to developing varicose veins.
Since I have worn compression stockings, I have had sclerotherapy injections because I wanted t0 eliminate the varicose veins that were visible. Although sclerotherapy injections do eliminate the varicose veins, it ultimately does not fix the valves in my legs, and that is why I must be proactive and wear my compression stockings.
EVERY DAY I wear my compression stockings. There is not one day I go without them. Within 1-2 hours without my compression stockings on, I can feel the heaviness in my lower legs. That's because the valves in my legs are defective and the only way I can ensure that the blood is being pushed back up to my heart adequately is to make sure I wear my compression stockings.
Today in my 50's, I can happily say that my legs do not look like my mother's when she had those terribly looking tortuous rope like varicose veins. I do have some mild varicose veins that are apparent at the back of my knee but overall, I think my legs look pretty good. That is only because I have educated myself and I continue to be proactive with my lifestyle habits by wearing compression stockings EVERY DAY!!
I have been working in the medical health field for the past 31 yrs and I have a lot of nursing experience and knowledge working with various clients with many medical ailments. I also have a Physical Education Degree {BPhEd.} which encompasses knowledge of kinesiology and anatomy, reinforcing and complimenting the foundation of nursing and medicine.
Helping others is a passion of mine, and I LOVE to educate others, educating them about the importance of wearing medically prescribed compression garments to benefit their health. Over the years, the compression garments have evolved tremendously in their fabrics, versatility and the incredibly beautiful vast array of stunning colors so you can look fashionable. "Back in the day" when I bought my first pair of stockings I had three colors to choose from: white, black and dark beige. I chose to wear the dark beige color since that one was the best choice with my dresses. However, when I wore them to work, right away my co-workers noticed, and would comment on my “compression stockings.” However, I was so happy to feel much better, more energy, no leg swelling and no heaviness in my legs that I did not care what they said.
Today clients can purchase not only amazing high end quality compression stockings but they can walk, run, skip, hop, dance and fly in comfort and style. Compression stockings are not just for women but men too. I'm so excited about the vast array of seasonal colors and the tie dye groovy hip hop various colors that are available today. How fun and fashionable is that??? So many delightful wonderful colors to choose from and no more do you have to LOOK like you are wearing compression garments but rather you will look like you are in STYLE!! No matter what event or occasion, there is a compression garment for you.
I am not only a Certified Compression Fitter but I am a client too. Helping others is my passion and I would LOVE to help you. If you are suffering with varicose veins symptoms and/or lymphedema and are in need of compression garments then contact me. I will come to your home and or workplace, measure you, help you find the proper fitted compression garment, and provide you with the education so you can be proactive for your own health.
Great Health is your Wealth so walk in comfort and style with KnockOut Legs at your Door!!
Cheryl Nevin, BPh.Ed., RN, CDN, CCF
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KnockOut Legs At Your Door
604-621-5678