Patient’s experience with peripheral artery disease turned her into vascular health advocate

Rebecca Davis was enjoying a cruise with her husband last October when she realized something was very wrong. The couple decided to leave the ship to do some sightseeing. While walking to the port, however, she needed to pause and rest her legs several times.

“We turned around at that point and got back on the ship,” she recalled, seeing no reason to continue. Back home, she started noticing mundane tasks become more challenging.

“I got to where I would go down my basement steps to the laundry room, back up the steps and then had to sit down and take a break because my legs were tired,” she said. For someone who considers herself a “mover” and doesn’t sit still, this fatigue was alarming.

Rebecca had a pretty good idea of what might be wrong, because her mother had been treated for peripheral artery disease (PAD). After voicing concerns at her annual check-up with Dr. Andrew McAfee, her primary care provider at Beacon Medical Group Main Street, she went through a series of tests — heart scan, ankle-brachial index and CT scan.

The results confirmed her suspicions: blockages were reducing blood flow to both her legs. She did not feel alarmed though since several relatives have been diagnosed with the same condition. “It’s in the family,” she said.

Dr. Howard Wiarda

Our comprehensive approach to care

To restore proper blood flow to her legs, Rebecca sought care at Beacon Medical Group Interventional Radiology and Vascular Specialists. Dr. Howard Wiarda, an interventional radiologist, stepped in with a solution: performing an angioplasty. This would open the blocked arteries and restore blood flow.

She arrived at Memorial Hospital in the morning and was discharged early the same afternoon. This procedure involved placing two stents in Rebecca’s iliac arteries, major blood vessels that begin in the abdomen and extend down each leg.

“All the hospital staff was great. It was just kind of a breeze,” Rebecca said. “As soon as I got out of the hospital bed and walked around, I could tell a huge difference.”

Rebecca was driving again the very next day. Weeks later, she couldn’t be happier with her results. She feels like she has a new lease on life. “I just got my legs back!” she exclaimed. “I’m doing really good. I’m walking. I’m attending baseball games. I’m able to go to the zoo.”

She even took five of her grandkids to the zoo for the day, without having to stop for a rest break. Now, Rebecca is eagerly looking forward to two upcoming cruises yet this year, including one where her son will be getting married.

Advocacy and appreciation

Rebecca’s experience has turned her into an advocate for vascular health. She encourages others to be alert for potential problems with their circulation. “I just can’t stress enough that people should always have their pulses in the lower extremities checked at their yearly appointments,” she said.

Reflecting on her healthcare journey with PAD, she appreciates the outstanding care she received every step of the way at Beacon Health System, from her testing to her angioplasty procedure and everything in between.

“Dr. Wiarda and his staff are amazing, from the time you walk in the door until you walk out, they are great,” Rebeccasaid. “I had no issues through this whole process, and I can’t stress enough what a difference I feel.”

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