I have been diagnosed with a blockage in my neck that has caused circulation problems and numbness in my right arm. I have had carotid artery surgery in both carotids in years past. I am going to have a cat scan next week and then will return to the vascular surgeon for recommendation for treatment/surgery. I am pretty uptight about this and the fear of stroke. I was advised that a stent could be the procedure used. or if that is not advisable, then perhaps surgery. The surgeon seems pretty hesitant to even discuss the consequences until he receives the results from the cat scan. He did ask me if I could live with the lack of circulation in the right arm and I just don't feel that I want to do that because of the constant pain and discomfort. I am a female, 80 years old and moderately active. Can you give me any insight into this situation?