For nearly four decades, Cathy has dedicated her time and energy to helping others; first in the field of domestic violence, and later during a 20-year career at the University of Southern Maine. After retiring from the university, she continued working part-time at L.L. Bean for another ten years before fully retiring.
Originally from New Hampshire, Cathy relocated to Maine in 1986 and built both her career and family life there. She and her partner of nearly 30 years, married for the past 13, share two adult daughters and are proud grandparents to three grandchildren. Family remains at the center of Cathy’s life.
But so does the beautiful Maine outdoors.
Spring and fall hikes, long walks, and time spent exploring the state’s natural beauty have always brought her joy. Until recently.
When Walking Became Painful
While on vacation, Cathy began experiencing cramping in her left calf. What started as minor discomfort quickly progressed into something much more limiting. The pain would ease with rest but return as soon as she resumed walking.
“It kept me from hiking the way I used to,” she says. “Even simple walks became difficult.”
After returning home, she saw her primary care provider, who ordered diagnostic testing and referred her to Dr. Elizabeth Blazick at The Vascular Care Group’s office in South Portland for further evaluation.
A Serious Diagnosis
Cathy was diagnosed with life-limiting peripheral artery disease (PAD) and claudication. Angiographic imaging revealed a complete blockage of her superficial femoral artery (SFA), a major artery responsible for delivering blood to the leg.
Given the complexity and diffuse nature of her disease, Dr. Blazick determined that more advanced imaging would be beneficial to guide the most precise and effective treatment plan. Rather than relying solely on traditional angiography, she utilized Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS), an advanced imaging technology available in The Vascular Care Group’s procedure suite.
IVUS uses a miniaturized ultrasound probe mounted on the tip of a catheter to generate detailed, 360-degree images from inside the blood vessel. This real-time imaging allows physicians to:
- Accurately measure vessel diameter
- Pinpoint the exact location and severity of narrowing
- Visualize plaque characteristics and distribution
- Make highly informed, data-driven treatment decisions during the procedure
By incorporating IVUS, Dr. Blazick was able to thoroughly evaluate Cathy’s artery and tailor her intervention with precision.
Restoring Blood Flow
To address the blockage, Dr. Blazick performed a laser atherectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that uses targeted laser energy to carefully remove plaque from inside the artery.
In Cathy’s case, the atherectomy alone successfully restored healthy blood flow. Because the vessel responded so well, a stent was not necessary. A final balloon angioplasty was performed to optimize the result and ensure the artery remained widely open.
The procedure was performed on January 28th, and for Cathy, the improvement was immediate. “Since that day, I’ve walked pain-free,” she says. “No cramping. No discomfort. Just relief.”
Compassionate Care Close to Home
Cathy is quick to praise the team at The Vascular Care Group’s South Portland office.
“Everyone I interacted with, from reception to the clinical staff to Dr. Blazick herself, was kind and professional,” she says. “I’m truly grateful for the care I received there.”
Now, Cathy is looking forward to getting back on the trails she loves without having to stop, rest, or worry about pain.
Don’t Ignore Leg Pain
Peripheral artery disease can silently progress until it begins to limit your daily activities. If you experience cramping, fatigue, or pain in your legs when walking that improves with rest, it may be more than just aging; it could be PAD.
At The Vascular Care Group, advanced tools like IVUS allow our specialists to diagnose and treat even complex blockages with precision and expertise, all in a comfortable outpatient setting.
If leg pain is holding you back from doing the things you love, schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward walking comfortably again.