Welcome to The Impatient Patient

I returned from the hospital with a massive DVT and a massive leg. I had a box of warfarin and a yellow book to show for it. Five days into being 25 and I’ll be honest it wasn’t looking good.

After being diagnosed the day before, I was bombarded with how serious and life-threatening my condition was. I couldn’t wrap my head around why I was out of the hospital. The nurse looking after me, Alan, was so chilled out about it.

I had to get my warfarin level to 2 it was 0.9 what happens in between?

“OK, if I suddenly go breathless, I must come straight back.

Coughing up blood is really serious.

But if I take the warfarin and suddenly start spurting blood everywhere, that’s serious too.

If I can’t stop bleeding, I have to go back into the hospital.

Otherwise I’m fine. Well, not fine. I have a massive DVT and can’t walk. But well, you know what; it’s all in the Yellow Book.”

The famous Yellow book were at 25. I read that sewing needles, razors, scissors, and large garden shears were now a no-no. They spelled danger. I had already been told alcohol would affect my INR. I had to keep it between 2 and 3. Otherwise, I would self-combust. Not really, but the way it’s explained, they might as well say this.

I was terrified, scared, worried, p****d off and most of all I had no one to talk to about it. Nobody I knew had ever experienced this. Everyone I did know who had was after a flight and had a little one in the calf. The famous statement from people was “Can I fly?” Well here is the answer I always wanted to say –

“No, no I can’t fly. You see, I am a human and not a bird or a plane. I lack the vital wings to allow me to get in the air!”

“If, however you want to know can I get on a plane, well yes I can!

And yes, with my leg, you see it’s attached, so unless I chop it off it will have to come along for the ride”

Mostly I actually just said yes I think so! To be polite as it was one of many things that you are repeatedly asked with this condition. I will do a further blog about the stupid things I’ve been asked and told later in the series. However, back to Day 2.

The fear was real. The Yellow book and Alan didn’t help. The book was full of old people. I also think Alan had a degree in how to avoid a straight answer to a question.

I actually didn’t realise then how lucky I was to have Alan. He’s actually a really nice guy and I think he has just retired. These days you are literally given your tablets and sent on your way. Most patients do not have contact with a medic until 3 to 6 months after their diagnosis. Even then, it’s just a phone call. I can’t imagine how that would feel. I had so many questions, Alan may not have answered them all but at least he was there.

I had been back the hospital earlier in the day to have my Fragmin injection and INR done. I didn’t have to go back for two whole days after today. Here I was on the sofa with my leg elevated. My mum was fussing over me. I had my laptop at hand so I could google extensively about Thrombosis, DVT, and blood conditions. I tried to see if I could find anyone like me. 25 with a massive DVT. Or if there were other proud owners of a yellow book. That was full of elderly people running from scissors and shears…

Anyone out there like that?

Anyone?

I’m not picky?