posted March 24, 2011 11:24 PM            

I went in to the doctor's office this morning to have a swollen arm looked at, which another doctor earlier this week had thought was just swollen lymph nodes. It turns out it was due to a clot originating near my heart, blocking the brachial vein, among others. They took me to the ER immediately and admitted me for treatment since it put me at risk for worse issues if the clot travels. I'm alone in the hospital as my family lives in TX, my boyfriend in MD, and I live in NC but am visiting Memphis, TN for work. They are mobilizing to come out to me, and I'm so glad because I went through some pretty nerve-wracking periods sitting in the ER this afternoon. They now have me admitted in a room and have started me on blood thinners.

Anyhow, I wanted to post this to ask you guys to please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. If things go well overnight and they see signs of a fast recovery, they may release me tomorrow evening, otherwise they will keep me here until they see some change.

posted March 25, 2011 06:58 PM            

Thanks for mentioning Oral Contraceptive, I no longer take it because of those reasons (stopped many years ago) any risk is too much of a risk.

posted March 30, 2011 11:15 PM            

I just got back online after a crazy few days, and am very moved to see such an outpouring of support.. Thank you so much for your healing thoughts and prayers... for they have helped me tremendously!

I am now out of the hospital (my parents undertook a 16 hour road trip to bring me home) and though I'm still undergoing treatment (twice daily shots of blood thinner and oral medication), the situation is much better and under control. The veins in that arm are still swollen but the swelling overall is down. Now that I'm home, I'm having to administer the shots myself in my belly, and it was upsetting and tough at first but I have been getting used to it and getting better at it. I have to visit the doctor a few times a week for bloodwork to monitor the therapy, and avoid travel for some time, maybe a few months. I am also done with the Pill for good..

This situation has really brought home to me the importance of being mindful about what I put in my body, both medicine and food. I will be watching what I eat and attempting to monitor drug side effects more closely for all medications I take. I am still shocked that what doctors always caution out of what almost sounds like a sense of bored obligation (with regards to the Pill & dangers of clot formation) really came to pass in my case, but I guess my lifestyle (frequent travel) contributed in a heavy way.

If you are reading this, PLEASE take my lesson to heart and consider talking to your doctor about alternatives to the BCP if you are also on it. I have been very lucky, from what I've been reading - many young women have died of pulmonary embolism stemming from blood clots that formed due to BCP use. Please don't join that statistic..

Thank you all so very much for your prayers and kind thoughts... I am so very lucky to have you pulling for me, and I am sending loving thoughts back to each of you..

posted April 04, 2011 12:11 PM            

Much love to you all for sending me your healing thoughts and for your prayers!

Dear Ami Anne & SunChild,

I would love any advice you could give me on matters of nutrition! My doc's got me avoiding all foods high in vitamin K while I'm on the blood thinner, which sucks - I love spinach, broccoli & cabbage, among others - but I hope to get back to a regular diet once they have my clotting factors where they want them.

My cholesterol's been on the higher side in the past couple years - triglycerides in the low 200s and total cholesterol as well, so I would welcome your advice on bringing it down. I know my diet is to blame - despite being a lacto-vegetarian, I've blown it by indulging one too many times in high fat desserts while travelling and have not had well-balanced meals either. I'm going to have to get back to a schedule of cooking balanced meals and regular workouts once again.