Pulmonary Embolism Support Group
By far the most common form of pulmonary embolism is a thromboembolism, which occurs when a blood clot, generally a venous thrombus, becomes dislodged from its site of formation and embolizes to the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, pain during breathing, and more rarely circulatory instability and death.
Today is the six-month anniversary of the day I went into the hospital with my PEs. So much has changed in the last six months and yet stayed the same.
The biggest thing is that I'm now a warfarin lifer. My original standing order, FMLA leave, and perscriptions expired at six months and I had to get them renewed. This has never happened before! The past two times I was on warfarin, I got to stop taking it when I hit six months. I celebrated going warfarin-free and just went on with life. Now, I've got to figure out how to get my greens in AND keep my INR therapeutic. I've got to get my doctor's orders renewed. I don't take my medical ID bracelet off anymore. Stuff I never had to think about when warfarin was a temporary arrangement instead of a permanent one.
Not that I'm depressed about it. I'm not dead, and that is a big plus in my book. I've gotten great health care, once I was diagnosed. I've had a lot of support and help from the people in my life. I'm still tired here and there (I've been exhausted all week!) but I AM recovering and I am looking forward to many more years and having this whole medical crisis fade into a memory except for a pill I take every day.
I'm still dealing with residual stress and anxiety. I'm still dealing with tests and doctor's visits. I'm still not sleeping well or constantly. But, these are all things that can and will improve for me, now that I have the time to work on them.
It is a different reality for me this time around ... but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna make it through all this afterall.
The biggest thing is that I'm now a warfarin lifer. My original standing order, FMLA leave, and perscriptions expired at six months and I had to get them renewed. This has never happened before! The past two times I was on warfarin, I got to stop taking it when I hit six months. I celebrated going warfarin-free and just went on with life. Now, I've got to figure out how to get my greens in AND keep my INR therapeutic. I've got to get my doctor's orders renewed. I don't take my medical ID bracelet off anymore. Stuff I never had to think about when warfarin was a temporary arrangement instead of a permanent one.
Not that I'm depressed about it. I'm not dead, and that is a big plus in my book. I've gotten great health care, once I was diagnosed. I've had a lot of support and help from the people in my life. I'm still tired here and there (I've been exhausted all week!) but I AM recovering and I am looking forward to many more years and having this whole medical crisis fade into a memory except for a pill I take every day.
I'm still dealing with residual stress and anxiety. I'm still dealing with tests and doctor's visits. I'm still not sleeping well or constantly. But, these are all things that can and will improve for me, now that I have the time to work on them.
It is a different reality for me this time around ... but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna make it through all this afterall.
I was actually sitting here about 5 minutes before reading your post thinking that honestly, about 80% of the time I don't even think about being on warfarin. Other than taking a few precautions, getting a blood test now and then and a daily pill, it's about as annoying as a hangnail (and less painful.)
Good luck to you
Chris
Took an overseas trip last month for 12 days and that was a real turning point. I was so anxious for the months leading up to the trip but so glad I went. My next hurdle is driving down to FL from OH (had my massive PE on the way to FL in October and spent five days in a hospital in Georgia, Hubby came right away to be with me, but being away from my kids was scary.) Anyway, planning frequent stops, etc. for this trip.
The docs say that being in good physical health probably saved my life ( non smoker, worked out / ate pretty healthy) Since the PE I haven't exercised that much and I admit to self medicating with ice cream! But I am ready to get back on the wagon.
Things I've learned from this site: Life is good. Everyone heals in their own time. It's Ok to be scared, frustrated at times. Warfarin is my friend!
Well, that kind of turned into a ramble... Anyway, thanks for the positive outlook everybody.