Help Fund Research in Vascular (Chester Countess)

Rebecca Cusato is raising money for Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Charitable Funds

Story

hI all,

Thank you for taking your time to look at my Just Giving page. I have been through and awful lot this year and I want to give back to the Team @ChesterCountess who saved my life - however I am still dealing with Chronic conditions while running and raising money!

I have ran to raise money and awareness 2018:

Chester Half Marathon 2018 (8weeks after surgery) Time 2h:04m
Liverpool Rock and Roll 5k (2 weeks after surgery) TBC

Please donate if you can. Thanks all. xxxxx

There's a brief description of what I have been through below:

I am currently recovering from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) of my right and left. TOS effects everything that is important that runs from your head into the rest of your body (nerves, arteries and veins). The veins in my left arm had become damaged and therefore created DVTs (blood clots). After 2 surgeries in Intensive Care @ Chester Countess - my blood clots were returning each time - further CT Scans/ Ultra sounds/ X-rays and veinograms confirmed TOS in my left. Surgery was planned to remove my left rib/ muscles - they also repaired all my damaged veins with skin grafts - after this surgery the blood clot came back again... I then had a thrombectomy which is supposed to take 2 hours... It took 6 as the instruments kept getting stuck - the vein was stuck solid to my collar bone! My left side is now left 100% clotted between my armpit and my collar bone - this inflammation pushes on my nerves (axillary and subclavian vein).

After a few weeks of being home my rights side started to show symptoms of TOS - I was urgently rushed into hospital after running the Chester Half Marathon 2018 to have surgery on my right side - the marathon didn't cause this don't worry.

My right side was an awful mess nerves had grown over my rib bone through muscles and were completely stuck - my surgeon managed to free them up however same as my left side this has now left me with further nerve damage.

May 2018 - Imagine burning your hands / arms; getting 1000s of paper cuts on your hands; having lightening strikes down your shoulder to into your hands and then experiencing that everyday of your life for the next 12 months...😭 I wouldn't wish this pain on my worst enemy.

Recently I told you all I've been diagnosed with Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).🤔🤔🤔This means I am going to have a chronic (lasting greater than 12 months) pain condition that effects both my arms and hands.😑😑😑CRPS is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the peripheral and central nervous systems. Unfortunately this has happened during my surgery as my nerves had grown through my muscles and the muscles / ribs needed to be taken out to decompress my thorax.🤐The skin of the affected body part can become so sensitive that just a slight touch, bump or even a change in temperature can provoke intense pain.😥 I've been urgently been referred to the Chronic Pain team for interventions to further helps past medication. 😁🤞🤞🤞