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Do Fish Dream ?

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Downside to Jetsetting

Hmmm, yes folks there is a serious downside to jetsetting and today I've discovered - yet again - what that is.... I've been diagnosed with a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) for the second time in 8 months. The first time I had this condition was after 23hours of flying to get to our South American destination in May last year. After experiencing extreme pain in my left calf, I presented to a Peruvian hospital, where the provisional diagnosis was DVT or Phlebitis (they did not do any scans to check) and I was given anti-coagulant medication, taken off my Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and sent on my way with strong painkillers. The language barrier didn't do much to help the Doctor or me, but with the help of a bi-lingual ward clerk, I was advised to check in with my GP upon returning to Australia. So, Tex and I proceeded to go ahead as planned and trek to Machu Picchu. There was pain, but that's what painkillers were for and to be honest, both legs were so sore after the end of each day, I didn't give much more thought to the matter.

When I developed the same symptoms yesterday, I immediately knew what it was. Despite two Doctors telling me that it was merely a soft tissue injury, I demanded to be sent for an ultrasound - at least the second Doctor had the good grace to be embarrassed when presented with the Radiologist's report that said DVT :) The third Doctor I was shunted off to is quite convinced that the first episode was a DVT as well, as it was in almost the same area and the symptoms were identical.

The Good News - I didn't suffer a pulmonary embolism or stroke on the trek up to Machu Picchu last year (the Doctor said more my good fortune than anything else) and because I was diagnosed properly this time, the risk is very low of it happening now. I've been given some stunning white compression bandages to wear, an anti-clotting medication called Clexane which I get to self-inject into my stomach twice a day, and Warfarin to thin my blood (which I will have to take for the next 6 months at least) So, within a few weeks, all will be well.

The Not-so-Good-News - Apart from having to cope with the 'yuk' factor associated with injecting myself and the un-unsexy factor of the compression bandages, I am not to undertake any activities which involve unnecessary risk while taking these medications, because of excessive bleeding and slow clotting that occurs - immediately stopping riding my motorbike was the first order I was given (WTF ????) and I need to carry bandaids and bandages wherever I go in the event I cut myself as even a small cut will take ages to stop bleeding.

Now, the most hideous part ...the fact that because of the risk factors involved, I will never be able to take HRT again - now those ladies who are taking this gear will know what I mean when I say this is the news that makes jumping out planes without a 'chute seem appealing :) Seriously, I have tried the natural plant oestrogen's, and other alternatives including acupuncture, even bloody reiki - I still suffered enormously from the worst symptoms of menopause (yeah, I know ... sorry boys, too much information).

And the worst of the not-so-good news is that Tex is somewhere holed up in the wilds of Tasmania for the next three weeks, uncontactable for the most part, other than the occasional phone call from a pay phone (our mobile phone provider obviously got lost when he visited Tasmania to install towers - there is very little coverage). Whilst Tex is probably not going to miss seeing me inject myself, or dressing up in the Nanna Stockings, or for that matter, the hissy fits that may kick in when my HRT wears off tomorrow - I will miss his support, his company and even his bloody awful crap jokes ... all of which help to keep me grounded :)

I'm quite certain I'm being a precious drama queen, and that things will look and feel much better tomorrow, but right now I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself and wish more than ever that chocolate was on my freaky eating plan :)

13 comments:

pita-woman said...

Egad! I was torn between laughing at the image of the granny socks and the hormones wearing off thus the husband suffering too, to being grossed out by the thought of injecting one's self in the stomach. Sounds horrible!
I wish you a speedy recovery (if 6 months can possibly speed by) and a return to feeling your old self!

Watergurl said...

Before I slip on my Dr outfit I need more information. Did the DVT come from a recent trip or was it a hangover from Peru? I'm on HRT too, have been since I was 30, ovarian tumours, OK GUYS stop reading now as we are entering 'womens problems zone". To think you can't take it again....fuck off!! I get massive headaches, bone ache, depression and a constant feeling of the flu when I run out of HRT candy......I feel for you. Are any of these guys specialists? Don't wanna take Dr advice as gospel when they won't even a DVT right.

Bettie K. said...

Wait a minute...let me put my legs in the stir-ups for gyne talk. Just kidding ladies. I can't even imagine the pain. You are getting a huge hug right now...

Before I forget...you know what might help? Some Grey Poupon....

Sean Wright said...

secret wome's business, i am off to crack open a beer and cooka snag on the barbie

tina FCD said...

I had to read it twice, about the injections...I don't think I could do that myself.
Hell, at what age do women normally go through menopause? Not sure if I have been there yet....?
Sorry to hear you have health troubles. I hope all turns out well for you. :)

Tex's Missus said...

Thanks Pita-Woman - the injections are ok and I'm sure I'll laugh about it all myself....eventually :)

H2 - I've got rebound hot flushes worse than ever; apparantly stopping HRT suddenly can do that - fucking wonderful - and cried when I had to take my dog to the vet this morning (WFT ? Sooking over not bloody much..) The Doc's think that this DVT was caused by HRT, but you can be sure I'll be asking for a referral to a specialist ... but first they have to stabalise me with the drugs to make sure I don't kark it from a bloody embolism or stroke brought on by the thrombus breaking up...I too had a surgical menopause brought on two years ago because of cancer issues - the fucking indignites of being a woman just don't end (not that I'd wanna be a bloke tho')

Sarah - you know where you can shove your filthy Grey Poopoo dontcha ???! But thanks for the thoughts and hugs :)

Sean - mate, you are such a bloody wuss :)

Tina - thanks so much for your thoughts - I am young for menopause, but as I said to h2, it was brought about via a total hysterectomy 2 years ago. (And trust me, if you were menopausal, you'd certainly know about it ! Something for you to look forward to ..... NOT !)

Sean Wright said...

"Fingers in ears" - Lalalalalalala

Watergurl said...

Now I'm scared....DVT bought on by HRT...AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!
What a SOB! I think you send smoke signals and get back your Alpha Male pronto.
Big hugs to ya.

PS loved the comment to Sarah... sounds like she's rallying from her flu and back in the writers saddle.

Take care of you.

Anonymous said...

well that sucks big hairy dogs' balls! chocolate anyone?

Chelsea + Shiloh said...

Awe bloody hell missus, I swear if its not one thing its another when your female...Ditto all the womans comments re HRT...

but gees my first thought was 'why arent you allowed to ride ya bike?!!!' and what ya doing at the vets?

seriously big hug..It just bloody sucks all round..x.x.x

Tex's Missus said...

Sean - so whatcha gonna do when your missus has to cope with all things menopausal ?? I can tell you where she'd shove your fingers if you gave her a bit of lalala action, and it wouldn't be your bloody ears mate !!

H2 - don't you worry, they think I must have a genetic disposition to DVT, cos I've had 2 - so they are sending me to a specialist to get tested (it'd be fucked if I passed it onto my son tho' ...)

Tracey - welcome and ditto to the sentiment shared :) And, yes please - a freakin' king size box of choc Belgian seashells if you don't mind !

Abbey - thanks my friend - it does bloody suck...Can't ride the bike because if I crash (duh, as if !), the danger of bleeding to death is much higher because of the anti-coagulants and blood thinning medication I am on for the next 6 months...same goes for any other activity deemed 'high risk' - may as well wrap myself up in cotton wool and hide away (except that I'd spontaneously combust from the fucking hot flushes, grrrrrrrrrr)

ps. woke this morning to find Banjo (one of my dogs) had a very red, swollen, gooey eye - trip to vet, grass seed removed, anti-biotics, anti-inflammatories, ointment, Elizabethan collar ... that'll be $220 thanks for coming ! Poor pooch, but he's much better tonight !

But, seriously, thanks to all you wonderful people for your thoughts and well wishes - you make me feel much less alone and much less like the scardey cat I was yesterday :)

Sean Wright said...

You read my post about the sailor suit . I am kinky just not that Kinky. That and I never lie either.

Any who, I sincerely hope you get some relief. Maybe you could leave a flack vest at the front gate for Tex when he returns.

Unknown said...

"may as well wrap myself up in cotton wool and hide away (except that I'd spontaneously combust from the fucking hot flushes, grrrrrrrrrr)" oh that just proves how strong you are TM and how resilient! What doesn't kill us makes us stronger so they say...whoever they are..lol...probably men of course! Hope you are feeling better soon xo