BY SHANNON PICKETT This woman told how she took her ribs home in a bag after having them removed. Nicole Webb, 28, from California, USA, has shared her extraordinary story after undergoing surgery to remove one of her ribs. She explained that the lengthy procedure was the only option to treat her condition, thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) - a rare disorder where bones or muscles compress blood vessels and nerves in the upper body, causing severe pain and even risking blood clots. The Californian documented her journey online, showing the painful build-up to surgery, her hospital stays, and the shocking moment she was discharged, clutching her rib in a bag. She said: "Yes, I kept the rib. Her name is Ribina. "What am I going to do with my rib? I have absolutely no idea… they just said I could keep it. Now it’s time to head home with my little Ribina in hand.” Nicole admitted the condition was frightening, particularly because of the risk of clots. She explained that she was warned that physical therapy wouldn’t fix the problem. The only option was surgery to cut out her first rib, going in through her armpit to free up space and relieve the pressure. Nicole shared clips online charting the entire process, from diagnosis to hospital stay. After three days in a hospital bed, she was finally discharged, lighter by one rib, but in far less pain. Nicole also joked about her unexpected post-surgery test results, saying nurses even asked if she was a young athlete. She said: “I have a diagnosis called thoracic outlet syndrome. "Quickest way to explain that is there’s too much crowding here… something is cutting off my vein blood flow to my left arm when I move my arm. “I’m high risk for blood clots, kind of scary because your heart’s on your left side. "I’m scared about that, but I’m good. I haven’t gotten any blood clots yet. “I have lost my pulse in my left arm. What it causes is my left arm to be numb almost constantly. "I’m in an excruciating amount of pain every single day. “Discharge day! I am a free woman. "It was time to put all my piercings back in and become who I’ve always been, minus a rib. My pain has significantly dropped." ENDS
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