In which my life is changed again
Wednesday started out like a typical work day for me. I was generally half awake and putting my mind on working.
Except that somewhere along the line, something happened. And I hadn't been at work too long before realizing that something was 'off' in my right hand and arm. I wanted to wear my arm warmers but it felt too constricting on my right arm. I started work at 0500. By 0635, my coworker M (as we shall call them at this point) stated that my hand looked visibly swollen to them and I agreed because it felt swollen. By 0700, I was feeling uncomfortable enough that I couldn't type properly and I couldn't use the computer mouse. At 0805, I was on the phone with my MD's office and setting up an emergency appointment. I wanted to be sure that I was doing things correctly.
By 1400 we had confirmation that I was in fact correct when I told them that it felt like I had a blood clot. There's one sitting in my brachial vein, right around the elbow. IRONY: it's the SAME ARM that the first clot was in and in almost the exact same area, albeit far smaller. Turns out I caught it early. I was held overnight for observation and was Not Happy about it. I also didn't really get any sleep there because they kept waking me up for vitals, another dose of Lovenox, and 8 more vials of blood being taken from my arm.
I have decided, knowing now first hand how an overnight stay goes, that I do not want to have to go through it ever again. Unless you're in OB/GYN, Critical/Severe, or being swept in from an ambulance-vehicle (have to take helicopters into account here) the atmosphere seems to move on Island Time. Realistically, I know that's really not the case; there are a lot of people being looked after by the nurses and doctors. But it doesn't make the waiting any easier. Worse, every time I tried to take a nap, the door would open up before I had a chance to really get into sleep of any sort. It really sucked.
Now I get to do a WEEK of Lovenox shots, plus Coumadin, and my meds have been rearranged yet again. Work was wonderfully understanding about this whole mess and my boss has been excellent at making sure I have what I need to get the right paperwork done and turned in. I have been told to "take it easy and relax". I didn't even get a chance to ask about being able to draw, but I'm certain that at this point it's a no-no.
So... I'm still alive. I just have to wait for test results to come back and not do anything. I'm out of work for a week. I'll likely make use of the time by sleeping in at least three days in a row (unheard of!) and mulling over how to budget out for more book shelves. And take care of laundry... And subsequently feel utterly useless because I won't be able to do anything major. Frakking blood clot, showing up for no apparent reason. (we really don't know what the deal is; I haven't been injured recently and I have been doing well in PT)
My thanks to everyone in Twitter who sent me well-wishes. I appreciate it :)
Except that somewhere along the line, something happened. And I hadn't been at work too long before realizing that something was 'off' in my right hand and arm. I wanted to wear my arm warmers but it felt too constricting on my right arm. I started work at 0500. By 0635, my coworker M (as we shall call them at this point) stated that my hand looked visibly swollen to them and I agreed because it felt swollen. By 0700, I was feeling uncomfortable enough that I couldn't type properly and I couldn't use the computer mouse. At 0805, I was on the phone with my MD's office and setting up an emergency appointment. I wanted to be sure that I was doing things correctly.
By 1400 we had confirmation that I was in fact correct when I told them that it felt like I had a blood clot. There's one sitting in my brachial vein, right around the elbow. IRONY: it's the SAME ARM that the first clot was in and in almost the exact same area, albeit far smaller. Turns out I caught it early. I was held overnight for observation and was Not Happy about it. I also didn't really get any sleep there because they kept waking me up for vitals, another dose of Lovenox, and 8 more vials of blood being taken from my arm.
I have decided, knowing now first hand how an overnight stay goes, that I do not want to have to go through it ever again. Unless you're in OB/GYN, Critical/Severe, or being swept in from an ambulance-vehicle (have to take helicopters into account here) the atmosphere seems to move on Island Time. Realistically, I know that's really not the case; there are a lot of people being looked after by the nurses and doctors. But it doesn't make the waiting any easier. Worse, every time I tried to take a nap, the door would open up before I had a chance to really get into sleep of any sort. It really sucked.
Now I get to do a WEEK of Lovenox shots, plus Coumadin, and my meds have been rearranged yet again. Work was wonderfully understanding about this whole mess and my boss has been excellent at making sure I have what I need to get the right paperwork done and turned in. I have been told to "take it easy and relax". I didn't even get a chance to ask about being able to draw, but I'm certain that at this point it's a no-no.
So... I'm still alive. I just have to wait for test results to come back and not do anything. I'm out of work for a week. I'll likely make use of the time by sleeping in at least three days in a row (unheard of!) and mulling over how to budget out for more book shelves. And take care of laundry... And subsequently feel utterly useless because I won't be able to do anything major. Frakking blood clot, showing up for no apparent reason. (we really don't know what the deal is; I haven't been injured recently and I have been doing well in PT)
My thanks to everyone in Twitter who sent me well-wishes. I appreciate it :)