My aching calf…. *sigh* Perhaps I should begin at the very beginning, as it’s a very good place to start. Okay. All doctors and med students, pay attention, lest I make an error. Okay, when I was about two years of age, I was diagnosed with beta thalassemia intermedia. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder. People with Thalassemia are not able to make enough haemoglobin, which causes severe anaemia.
Anyway, I was dependent on blood transfusions which started when I was seven year sold. My mum held out as long as she could, coz she knew that once you start with transfusions, there’s no stopping. But thankfully I don’t need to go for transfusions anymore. To cut a (very) long story short (which I might tell one of these days), suffice to say that I had to remove my spleen last December. The op went ok. I went home but a week after that I developed these terrible pains in my chest area. I couldn’t eat. Threw up most of the time. Was in such excruciating pain! Went back to my surgeon (a very kind man, I might add) and he had me undergo an ultrasound and guess what? After the removal of my spleen, it was the expected reaction for my platelets to shoot up to a million. But the blood clot or thrombosis was not expected. Not in such a major vein anyway. Portal vein thrombosis, it’s called. Hmmm, such a mouthful that caused so much pain.
Back to my story, because my blood was clotting, they had to give me medication. During my stay in the hospital, I was strapped to an IV all the time and was given painkillers to deal with the pain. After three weeks, I was finally allowed to go home with my prescribed warfarin pills that would ‘even out the effects’ of the blood clotting. My happy pills….
A few days ago, I developed a terrible pain in my left knee and calf. Called my haematologist, who said I actually needed to talk to my surgeon, coz it could probably mean that there are clots there. I was so terrified after hearing that. He said not to worry and suggested I talk to my surgeon. Maybe the dosage needed to be increased.
I am so worried…. I don’t wanna be admitted to the hospital again. Hopefully I only need to see him and get his advice and there will be no need for me to be detained in the wards.
Guess I better stop now and see what else needs to be done, since I told my boss that I will be away from the office tomorrow. And the pain is really really ugh….
Anyway, I was dependent on blood transfusions which started when I was seven year sold. My mum held out as long as she could, coz she knew that once you start with transfusions, there’s no stopping. But thankfully I don’t need to go for transfusions anymore. To cut a (very) long story short (which I might tell one of these days), suffice to say that I had to remove my spleen last December. The op went ok. I went home but a week after that I developed these terrible pains in my chest area. I couldn’t eat. Threw up most of the time. Was in such excruciating pain! Went back to my surgeon (a very kind man, I might add) and he had me undergo an ultrasound and guess what? After the removal of my spleen, it was the expected reaction for my platelets to shoot up to a million. But the blood clot or thrombosis was not expected. Not in such a major vein anyway. Portal vein thrombosis, it’s called. Hmmm, such a mouthful that caused so much pain.
Back to my story, because my blood was clotting, they had to give me medication. During my stay in the hospital, I was strapped to an IV all the time and was given painkillers to deal with the pain. After three weeks, I was finally allowed to go home with my prescribed warfarin pills that would ‘even out the effects’ of the blood clotting. My happy pills….
A few days ago, I developed a terrible pain in my left knee and calf. Called my haematologist, who said I actually needed to talk to my surgeon, coz it could probably mean that there are clots there. I was so terrified after hearing that. He said not to worry and suggested I talk to my surgeon. Maybe the dosage needed to be increased.
I am so worried…. I don’t wanna be admitted to the hospital again. Hopefully I only need to see him and get his advice and there will be no need for me to be detained in the wards.
Guess I better stop now and see what else needs to be done, since I told my boss that I will be away from the office tomorrow. And the pain is really really ugh….
5 comments:
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i hope all will turn out well and you'll be strong. take care :)
I'm sorry to hear about your condition. I know how it is like although I'm not a sufferer myself. But both my parents are thalassaemia carriers themselves and at least four of my siblings are afflicted by the disorder. My (late) eldest brother lived a full life before he succumbed to complications arising.
I don't mean to sound morbid, but I have seen first hand the pain that sufferers go through. You have my utmost admiration for the courage required to combat not just the physical pain, but also the psychological battle you have to endure vis-a-vis the insidious nature of the ailment, knowing full well the lifelong care and medication ahead. Indeed, the courage, grit and determination displayed by so many thalassaemia sufferers in the face of adversity is something that never cease to amaze me. Be steadfast.
Get well soon!I need to get my happy pills from ur blog :)
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