March 9, 2009

Cautionary Tale and Thanks and Love Sent out

Hi Everyone so sorry I have been away for so long. It was so close to being forever. I don't write about my personal life much but I am doing so now as a cautionary tale to all of you to watch and advocate for yourselves. I had a spiral fracture to my right leg in January and it was surgically repaired. No one in my family has had blood clot issues and the doctor did not feel it necessary to put me on any blood thinning drugs. Almost one month to the day of my surgery I started having shortness of breath and extreme fatigue after writing it off as a bad cold on Thursday evening I crawled into bed. Friday morning I woke up and could barely move, 2 steps, lie down, catch breath, 2 more steps. My sister rushed me to the ER. It turns out I have a saddle Pulmonary Embolism (blood clot) blocking both sides of my lungs at the top and putting pressure on the right side of my heart. I am one of the lucky ones, I almost died in ER but I did not thanks to quick thinking family and friends, the fatality rate for my type of PE is approximately 80%. I have now spend 10 days in the hospital and will spend another 6 to 8 months on drugs to thin my blood and help the clots dissolve. At the same time this condition can now cause my squeezed heart to develop problems.

My caution is this tale is that you need to advocate for yourself with the doctor. I should have pushed on the blood thinners for the surgery, I should have questioned more about clots. Anytime you see a doctor, make sure they know your entire family history and question question question.

The Most Important Thing I learned: My stitching friends are the greatest friends in the world. Special thanks to Amy, Vonna, Christina, Robin, Brenda and Vicki, for all the love, support, prayers and kindness in the world.
Without all of you and I am sure I wouldn't be here :)...

Anyway off my soap box. I hope to get out of the hospital today and quit being quite the human pincushion and start stitching. See you all around :)......Watch for some stitching to appear here again very soon.

23 comments:

staci said...

Oh My Terry! You've been through an extreme ordeal!!! Many hugs and prayers to you...so glad that you are improving and hope that you are back on your feet soon!!!

Take care!

Kim B said...

Oh my gosh Terry!!! What a terrible situation! How incredible that you survived it! Hugs and prayers for you!

Amy said...

Still praying for you my friend, and remember, the doc keeps telling you how serious this is. TAKE IT EASY when you get home! You are a dear & special friend & loved so much by so many. We want you around for many, many years to come. Besides, you have LOTS of things on your list to stitch! Love you my friend & take care!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Terry, we all love you! We do! And I am so, so thankful that it wasn't your time for you have more work to do. Thinking, praying and hoping for you to stay on this road to recovery and that it will all be smooth sailing now...no pot holes or bumps in the road...just on autopilot. Love you girl, you keep getting better and stronger!

Jennifer said...

How scary!!! Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery!

You're absolutely right - in this day and age of HMOs and insurance companies ruling our healthcare, it's important for patients to be as well educated as they can and to advocate for themselves as you said. It will always be the questions you don't ask that cause the most trouble.

Daffycat said...

I am so happy you are OK! Take care of yourself, Terry. You would be missed. ***hugs***

Erica said...

Gosh Terry! That is terrible what you have been through!
I am glad you are feeling a little better!

Mama Joan said...

Glad to hear that you are better.
Take care of yourself, I will keep you in my prayers.

Margaret said...

Terry, how awful!! I'm so glad you caught it in time and are recovering. Thank you for the warning too -- it's always so easy to just listen to the doctor and not question what he or she says. I know I've done that too. Good thoughts coming your way -- take care and get better!

Carolyn NC said...

So sorry to hear about your ordeal. Glad you're feeling better now, but be sure to rest! My mother was diagnosed with multiple PE's after chemo a few years back and the Dr. told me she might make it through that time, but they didn't know. Well, it's been almost three years and she has clear lungs and no problems with them. Hope you heal quickly. :)Keeping you in thought and prayer.

Nicole said...

Terry, I'm so sorry about everything you have been through. My FIL had one not too long ago. I know from his experience that it was very painful. Please take care and get lots of rest!!

Wendy said...

Oh my! This has been a terrible situation for you! I really hope it will be much better for you and that the blood thinner drug will help soon!!
Take care.

Brenda said...

Sorry to hear of your health problems, hopefully now you are on the road to recovery. You are so right about being your own advocate when dealing with doctors.
Take care and get lots of rest.

Brigitte said...

Oh Terry, what a scary situation you had to go through. It's so good to read that you are getting better and will hopefully be completely healed very soon. I'll be thinking of you.

Sonda said...

Wow! That is the worst possible PE to get and it's wonderful that you survived it!!! Best wishes for your recovery!!

Cindy F. said...

Terry! I had no idea you were in the hospital! I am so, so sorry to hear you have been going through this horrible ordeal! Thank God you have such wonderful family and friends! I shall keep you in my thoughts and prayers! I hope you're feeling better very soon!
Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

WOW Terry, I know that was extremely scary!!! If they put you on coumadin, follow the dr's orders closely....and don't eat things on the no-no list.
I will keep you in my prayers that you continue to heal up quick!
robinpich.blogspot.com

Jeanie said...

I am sorry to hear of your health problems. Hope you are now on the road to recovery. Take care and have lots of rest.

Hugs

Cindy said...

Gosh, that is scary! Glad to hear that you pulled out of that and are on the road to recovery. Take care :)

Sharon said...

Hi Terry, how terrifying. I am so glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery. Take care of yourself!

Kit said...

I am glad that you are on the road to recovery, and hope you take a well deserved rest for a while.

DaisyGirl said...

Terry!
How horrible for you! Shame on me for not keeping up with my stitching buddies! Band does consume my life. Sorry :(
glad you are on the mend! Take care of yourself!
Donna

Aussie Stitcher said...

That must have been quite a scare for you, I am so glad that everything turned out well for you Terry. Take care (((HUGS)))