Life in Wells, Maine, offers the perfect blend of fresh air, hands-on projects, and quality family time, and for Helen, it’s an ideal place to enjoy her retirement. Originally from Dover, New Hampshire, Helen dedicated over 30 years to public service with the federal government. Today, she shares her days with her husband, a U.S. Navy submariner who served this country for more than 25 years, their son, and two much-loved “grandpups.”
When she is not spending time with her family, Helen enjoys attending auctions, repairing furniture, working out, and playing with her two rescued white highland terriers. But earlier this year, all of that came to an abrupt halt.
A Sudden Change
It all began with red areas on both calves and a “ripping pain,” as she describes it, in her left leg, that made walking excruciating. The condition made life difficult for her family, leaving Helen unable to leave the house or manage daily activities, even with the aid of a walking stick. “For more than three months, life was at a standstill,” Helen recalls. “I couldn’t go anywhere or do anything.”
She sought help from multiple physicians, seven in total, before finally finding answers. “I had no idea there were vascular doctors at York Hospital,” she says. “Amber, the physician assistant, was fabulous, and after an in-depth ultrasound scan, she referred me to see Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Blazick at The Vascular Care Group, and they found the issue right away, venous insufficiency.”
The Procedure That Changed Everything
On July 8th, Helen underwent a simple office procedure, called radiofrequency ablation, of her great saphenous vein to treat her venous insufficiency. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses targeted heat energy to close off a diseased vein, so blood is naturally rerouted to healthy veins. This helped reduce the swelling, pain, and other symptoms Helen was experiencing while improving the overall circulation in her leg.
The results were noticeable almost immediately. “Right away, walking was great and there was zero pain,” she says. While she’s still awaiting her follow-up appointment and experiencing the minimal discomfort that her care team says is normal, she’s already been able to walk every day to rebuild her leg muscles, something she couldn’t dream of doing before.
Care Worth Traveling For
Helen is quick to praise the team at The Vascular Care Group’s South Portland office. “This group of folks works so well together. The kindness of each person in that office is unreal,” she says. “I have zero issues driving from Wells to South Portland if there are no openings in the York office. I feel like I hit a grand slam being able to be seen here!”
Moving Forward
While she’s still on the path to full recovery, Helen is already looking forward to getting back to the things she loves most, working out; restoring furniture; and enjoying time with her husband, son, and those grandpups—without the constant distraction of pain.
Her message to others is simple: “If you’re living with leg pain or symptoms of venous insufficiency, don’t wait, get checked by the specialists at The Vascular Care Group.”
Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Seek Vascular Care
Helen’s experience is a testament to how quickly life can change when venous insufficiency goes untreated and how powerfully the right care can restore independence, mobility, and peace of mind. After months of immobility and pain, she found answers, relief, and compassion at The Vascular Care Group. The team of specialists not only diagnosed her condition after others could not but also provided a minimally invasive treatment option that gave her immediate results and a clear path forward.
If you’re living with leg pain, swelling, or fatigue, don’t ignore the signs. Contact The Vascular Care Group today to schedule an evaluation and take your first step toward getting back on your feet.