Some have noticed that posts have been infrequent and slow around here. Definitely not what I wanted at all, but it’s how it has had to be.
I’M NOT DOING OKAY!
I haven’t been doing okay for some time. I shared over a year ago that I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism while pregnant with Orie. I ended up on blood thinners through the whole pregnancy and for some time after. Within two weeks of coming off of the blood thinners, I had another blood clot in my leg. This started the horrible cycle of being on blood thinner injections only to come off them after a cycle and develop another clot.
Most recently was the longest stretch of time I went off of the blood thinner injections. We thought everything was fine, boy was my body about to prove me wrong.
Over a month ago, I trusted my gut and went back to emergency knowing something wasn’t right. Sure enough, after a CT scan and ultrasound, I had another clot in my leg. A superficial one because it wasn’t in a deep vein. The emergency room doctors decided I didn’t need to go on blood thinners again, despite my history. Telling me I only needed to take baby aspirin every day and things should clear up.
WHEN YOUR BODY SAYS “HOLD MY BEER…”
During all of this, I was trying to get ahold of the specialist who had been dealing with my case during the pregnancy. The one who originally put me on blood thinners. Turns out he was on vacation. As soon as he got my message he phoned me. I was sent for an immediate, emergency ultrasound to check my leg again after I gave him an update of how I was doing.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen an ultrasound tech have their eyes pop out of their head so far. She told me I needed to go to emergency immediately and get on blood thinners. I dragged my tired butt over to emergency at 9:00 at night. Placed a guess that I wouldn’t be out of there for at least 4 hours. I was almost right. I left for home just before 2 am after receiving an injection of blood thinners.
Thanks to still having refills for my previous prescription they didn’t give me another. The problem is that the blood thinner injections are ridiculously expensive and I no longer have a special authorization to help cover the cost, and Fare Pharmacare has been useless in helping us. We cannot afford the cost of the injections each month. I got ten days worth only, and the price was our groceries for the week. I made the mistake of crunching the numbers for if I have to be on them again for a longer period of time, it was terrifying to see the potential total.
The specialist phoned me again this morning for my most recent telephone appointment *thank you covid for stupid telehealth appointments* and gave me the full update. I have what is considered to be a very large clot in my leg. I also have another on my calf. Thankfully, again, they are not in my deep veins. The new plan is to get me switched over to warfarin. I said I don’t mind dealing with multiple blood tests if it means the cost comes down. I flat out said that we can’t afford the injections, I honestly don’t know how anyone does. *PS: Thanks Pfizer for making life-saving medication no one can afford!* I’ll be finishing the injections I have and hopefully switched to warfarin soon.
The big question is why? Why do these blood clots keep happening? I have a hematologist appointment in June. All of this kind of screws that up because you have to be off blood thinners for 6 weeks before they can test your blood. Now, we all know what’s been happening when I come off blood thinners. Hopefully, I will be able to come off them and get the blood work done, something is up and we have several things that they will be testing for.
Meanwhile, I definitely have hit a wall and have had several breakdowns. If you see me in person and ask me how I’m doing, don’t be surprised if I just burst into tears. I am not doing okay right now, and that is okay. I just want answers as to why at this point. Oh, I also recently had a mass removed from my leg that was thought to be a large skin tag, but upon removal, my doctor suspects it’s a lipoma *yay, my own Dr. Pimple Popper Moment*. The mass is being tested just to be sure, but now I have 6 stitches in my leg which the blood thinners made things interesting to stop the bleeding.
Now… would my body please just get it together? Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated as I’m a hot mess and ready for all of this to be over.
Ugh this is so awful. I’m sorry you have to keep going through all of this 😔 I hope you get some answers at your appointment in June!
Thank you ❤️
WOW! I just went through your story and you have been through so much!! I pray the Lord give you the strength to go over all of this and also give you health so you can continue to enjoy you family and loved ones!