Pamela Russell wished for a long time that she could do something for her varicose veins. They left her legs achy, numb and tingly by the end of the day. She was also bothered by spider veins around her ankles. It was only when she received a postcard about a free screening at CMC’s new Vein & Vascular Specialists that she realized relief might be in sight. She called and set up a 15 minute appointment. “Boy, am I glad I did!” she says. Pamela was impressed from her first appointment with Diane Desmarais, APRN, who performed the screening. “The space is very nice and comfortable. Everyone there was so nice. Diane was an angel. She made me so comfortable.” Desmarais says that Pamela’s response is typical of many of her patients. “When patients do come in for a screening, they often are relieved that there’s a reason for their symptoms that can be treated.” Desmarais recommended she have a consult for her varicose veins with Patricia Furey, MD, FACS, CMC Chief of Vascular Surgery. Pamela recalls, “When I first met with Dr. Furey, what struck me was she was so smart, but also very friendly. She took the time to explain the varicose vein treatment she was recommending.” Dr. Furey says many patients who suffer with terrible achy legs can experience significant relief with treatment. “Sometimes simple compression stockings help but in other cases, more significant treatment is warranted. Afterwards, they often remark that they shouldn’t have waited so long to feel better.” After she healed from the procedure for her varicose veins, Pamela decided to return to the office to have her spider veins treated. In just two visits, the look of those veins had significantly improved. One factor that had kept Pamela from having her veins treated before was a fear of the cost. “I would absolutely recommend people give the office a call and set up the free screening appointment.” In most cases, medically necessary treatment is covered by insurance. Cosmetic treatments such as Pamela’s sclerotherapy for spider veins, is an out of pocket expense, but “Overall, the entire process was really not very expensive.” Pamela is thankful that she acted on that postcard. She was so impressed with the outcome that she wrote Vein and Vascular Specialists a Facebook review. “I don’t often do that, but I want others to know they can feel better coming to such a great practice!” In the photo, left to right Vein & Vascular Specialist patient Pamela Russell with Diane Desmarais, APRN.