A New Challenge

Elaine arrived home at 9:00 last night to find Lowell standing in the kitchen wiping off the countertop – and his right arm was swollen and dark-colored.

“Lowell, your arm is swollen and red!”

“I know.”

“How long has it been that way?”

“Most of the day.”

“Have you called the doctor?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Well, my fingers were swollen the other day – this could just be part of that same problem…”

No, I don’t think so...

So Elaine called the after-hours help line. When the doctor called us back he told Lowell to go to the emergency room immediately, as it sounded like Lowell had a blood clot.

We arrived at the emergency room about 10:00 p.m. – and left there about 2:10 a.m. In between times: 

• Various techs and nurses took Lowell’s information (seven times) 
• Lowell paid for the visit from his hospital bed (the nurse took our credit card and did it right there online) 
• Lively discussions took place regarding blood clots, ports and other issues
• The doctor came in twice; once to take Lowell’s information and check his arm, subsequently ordering blood work, an x-ray and an ultrasound – and another time to verify that yes, there were blood clots in his neck/port area and talked about treatments and what-ifs
• The x-ray tech (and machine) and the ultrasound tech (and machine) arrived at the same time. (X-ray tech went first)
• The ultrasound seriously looked like something out of a science fiction movie – lots of undulating terrain and crevices
• The tech and nurse watched Elaine give the blood thinner (Lovenox) injection in Lowell’s abdomen (he will need these twice a day for awhile)

Lowell will get two shots a day (in his abdomen) of the Lovenox for the next few days, plus he will have to take a Coumadin pill every day for the next six months. The doctor told Lowell to stop playing hockey and other contact sports :) but he could go about his normal activities.