Wow.

"You are lucky.  Your heart seems to be fine.  You are very strong and your body did very well."

One of the few times I have heard that or felt that.  25% of people with a pulmonry embolism simply drop dead.  The clot lands in the veins in the lung.  The veins are carrying blood from your body to your lungs to get re-oxygenated.  If a clost blocks a vein completely oxygen can't get to your blood.  CPR won't help.  If it isn't completley blocked it can lead to a heart attack because the heart has to work so hard to get blood past the clots.

My body might have gotten the clots way too young.  For that I could be mad.  But I am not, I am exceptionally proud and awed by what it did.  I am alive.  I AM alive.  I AM ALIVE!

I spent 9 days in the hospital.  I am home on medical leave and will be for many more days.  Healing is rough.  I am tired, slow, hot, out of breath, AND ALIVE.

Headache treatment has taken a back burner.  No more nerve blocks for a while as they can cause bleeding and I am on Coumadin.  I am at the Dr a few times a week to check my Coumadin levels.

For years while I was wowed by the wonder of the human body and how it works I was not happy with mine.  I wanted an upgrade.  Now all I can say is Wow.

I have a genetic condition called Heterozygous Factor V Leiden that is affecting my clotting.  I will know if I have more clotting issues after additional tests that will occur after I have been on Coumadin for 6 months to a year.  Birth control pills, travel, stress, and heat may have had a roll as well.  I will share more on that later to help you make safe choices to prevent clots in your arms, legs, or lungs.

Body, I hear you now.  You try your best with what we have.  You are an amazing piece of equipment.  You kept me alive when I should have died.  You survived clots in numbers unusual in my age group.  You had this battle for up to 3 months.  Headaches might be harder for you, but, you can handle the big stuff.  I am alive.

Thank you.