So, I nearly died. How was your week?

[Forbin]

Last Tuesday, I was putting together office furniture at work and my right arm got stiff and and sore. I figured it was just the effort and didn't think anything of it. The next day it came back and my arm went blue so I went to the emergency room figuring that I'd torn a muscle that was swelling and occluding a vein.

I told them about my genetic clotting disorder so they Dopplered me and did a cat scan of my lungs. After the ER doctor saw the scan he was shocked that I was still walking. I had a massive clot in the sub-clavian vein and multiple pulmonary embolisms in both lungs.

I know that some doctors post on here so this is what I have.

Thoracic outlet syndrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
and
Factor V Leiden - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

those two coupled with too many push-ups leads to

Paget-Schroetter disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I posting this from my hospital bed. I've had two partially successful vascular procedures and they're planning to take a rib out tomorrow.

So, if there are any vascular surgeons or hematologists on here, what do you think? Will I ever play the violin again?

[standardman]

Holy shit, I hope you're doing ok, amazing that it can come so suddenly. Keep us updated.

I vow never to put office furniture together in your honour.

[tuttle88]

Wow! 2 years ago I had a blood clot in my leg and bilateral pulmonary emboli. I didn't have to have surgery or anything but I'm fine now. No lasting effects, had to be on blood thinners for a while, can't go back on the Pill and have to be careful on long flights but other than that I'm fine.

I passed out and apparently the chances of surviving a dvt and pulmonary embolism after going unconscious are tiny so that's pretty cool.

Having a rib removed is fun, won't you be able to fellate yourself now?

Also totally sue your office.

[RoundAbout]

I didn't almost die BUT, I had eggs and toast for breakfast. Week is looking good so far.

[Rhian]

I almost checked out in December.

I hope that it goes well and you will be able to play the violin after a hopefully quick recovery.

Sorry this went down.

[Forbin]

Thanks guys.

According to my surgeon I'm going to be fine. I'm lucky to be in Massachusetts General where one of the specialists has a clinical interest in exactly the kind of case that I am so he's literally fixed hundreds of guys just like me and apparently, I'm extremely unlikely to die, from here on out.

Tuttle, have you been checked for clotting disorders. They can screen for them to see if it was just random or if you're at higher risk. Unfortunately, It's the top rib rather than the bottom one so no self-fellation. Perhaps I'll be better at whacking off.

Rhian, that'll be awesome because I didn't know how to before.
ba dum dum tish

[Sparrow]

Fucking A! I'm glad you're not dead.

[standardman]

Your story gave me a new appreciation of for the fleeting nature of life. By which I mean read Batman comics in the garden with a beer.

[Forbin]

I appreciate the sentiment Sparrow.

If writing that I'd die for a beer didn't sound so gay, it'd make a good joke right about now as I apparently have that option. Since I have a bloodstream full of blood thinners. Yesterday, my dose was so high that I was told not to brush my teeth.

However, if I tell them that my arm really hurts, they'll give me OxyContin.

[tuttle88]

They did the tests, it was totally random. It can happen to anyone who takes long flights who are on the Pill.
I drank lots of water and walked around on the plane. Have fun ladies!!