2013 is already looking very very good. I finally had my visit with the hematologist today to review all of the blood and genetic test results and it couldn't have goner better. Out of literally a dozen tests, none came back with indicators for any blood or genetic disorders that would be the cause for an increased risk of blood clots. It appears my PE and DVTs were caused solely due to my immobility as a result of the ankle injury.
This means that I will be able to discontinue use of Warfarin (Coumadin) blood thinners in about 6 months to continue a daily dose of baby aspirin at that time, instead. This also means I will be able to return to my favorite physical activities (read: running and maybe some soccer) once I have rehabbed my ankle. However, since this has been my second blood clot related incident due to an ankle injury, I will be taking a slightly different approach to anything I do in order to minimize traumatic injury risks and to prevent blood clots in the future. I also plan to train a little different and a little smarter (e.g. follow a more conservative yet effective training approach) and reduce my annual ultra running race schedule.
Next steps? An Angio Chest CT Scan on Monday to determine whether the pulmonary emboli are dissolved, in which case my hematologist and my ankle surgeon will schedule my reconstructive ankle surgery as soon as possible. Due to my current state, the ankle surgery will require a 2 day stay at the hospital. They will also surgically insert a temporary filter into my "common iliac vein" prior to the ankle surgery to prevent any potential clots from traveling to my lungs, heart and brain. This is actually more intimidating to me than the actual ankle surgery. This is purely a precautionary measure, since they will have to take me off blood thinners for the duration of the surgery. This filter will be removed again once I am back on blood thinners. Here is to hoping for even more positive news after Monday's CT scan. I am ready to start my road to recovery once the ankle surgery is done:-)
This means that I will be able to discontinue use of Warfarin (Coumadin) blood thinners in about 6 months to continue a daily dose of baby aspirin at that time, instead. This also means I will be able to return to my favorite physical activities (read: running and maybe some soccer) once I have rehabbed my ankle. However, since this has been my second blood clot related incident due to an ankle injury, I will be taking a slightly different approach to anything I do in order to minimize traumatic injury risks and to prevent blood clots in the future. I also plan to train a little different and a little smarter (e.g. follow a more conservative yet effective training approach) and reduce my annual ultra running race schedule.
Next steps? An Angio Chest CT Scan on Monday to determine whether the pulmonary emboli are dissolved, in which case my hematologist and my ankle surgeon will schedule my reconstructive ankle surgery as soon as possible. Due to my current state, the ankle surgery will require a 2 day stay at the hospital. They will also surgically insert a temporary filter into my "common iliac vein" prior to the ankle surgery to prevent any potential clots from traveling to my lungs, heart and brain. This is actually more intimidating to me than the actual ankle surgery. This is purely a precautionary measure, since they will have to take me off blood thinners for the duration of the surgery. This filter will be removed again once I am back on blood thinners. Here is to hoping for even more positive news after Monday's CT scan. I am ready to start my road to recovery once the ankle surgery is done:-)
0 $type={blogger}:
Post a Comment