For those of you who don't know, Sean was diagnosed with DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) recently. After we got home from Cabo he had swelling in his left leg and was having trouble walking. We thought maybe he got a staph infection from surfing or some kind of weird spider bite. Next thing we knew we were in the emergency room being told he has blood clots that could potentially break off and go to his lungs which is extremely life threatening. After spending the evening in the ER, the doctors decided that they could treat Sean as an outpatient, put him on meds and have him come into the hospital for daily shots of blood thinner. That lasted all of one day....by the next night he was being admitted to HOAG, the clots were worse than they had thought and they found some in his lungs. We spent the next 5 days in the hospital trying to stabilize his blood and figure out how this happened and why a perfectly healthy 32 year old would have such a condition. The poor guy was pricked and poked so many times and no one could tell us why this was happening. Most patients who suffer from DVT are twice or three times his age, have other health issues or have had some kind of trauma. Sean did not fit any of these, he was perfectly healthy other than the clots.
Once they got his blood to the levels that they needed they released him as an outpatient once again. He would have to be on the blood thinners for a year and go into the hospital frequently for tests to make sure his bloods consistency stayed within a certain range . They told him no alcohol, no extreme sports (including surfing)and a a diet free of vitamin K due to the nature of the medication. After being home for 2 days Sean was in so much pain...he was in a wheelchair and was EXTREMELY frustrated.
Those of you who know my husband know that he is a master of Google and a huge researcher...so while laid up he began doing his "research things." He ended up finding out about some machine that busts the clots out and can get you back on your feet in as little as 2 days. For some reason the doctors don't even give you this option and when he brought it up to his hematologist guess what she said? "You are not a candidate for that!" If you also know Sean...you know he does not take no for an answer....he convinced his doctor to at least call the interventional radiologist. Which Sean had found locally and who has this special machine. While Sean sat in the room she gave him a call. Sean's doctor gave the specialist the run down on Sean's situation, next thing you know Sean was being admitted to ICU having the procedure done THAT NIGHT! We were both scared, knowing the risks involved with the surgery but also knew that him having the possibility of having leg pain for life and being on dangerous medication for long periods were not good either. Sean was certain from the research that he had done that this was the best thing for him....and turns out it was!!!
It has now been 3 days since the procedure and Sean can walk. He still limps and has to take breaks but every day it gets better and better, the pain has drastically decreased. He is doing so well. I am so proud of what a strong and smart husband I have. We are so happy to have him home.
I have always been the type to do whatever the doctors say because they are the experts and you think they know best and always give you the best answers...from here on out I dont think I will be so trusting...its good to know we have the ability to learn and educate ourselves. We LOVE GOOGLE! :)
Daddy and Elle chillin...
Everyone at HOAG treated us so well...and of coursed LOVED Elle...but we are so happy to be back home! :)
Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes...looks like they worked! XOXOX
