Sunday, November 30, 2014

Not Much to Report

 

This is what I saw when I opened the blinds this morning.

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Jim had a nice visit with Dr. Moats at Mayo Family Medicine on Friday. After looking at the ER report, I think she was surprised that he was actually alive and well, not having leg pain and having no problems breathing. We read that in nearly 25% of patients with pulmonary embolism the initial clinical manifestation is sudden death. Fortunately for Jim he was in the other 75%. She said most people with his diagnosis would still be lying in bed with their leg elevated due to pain and having shortness of breath. Just goes to show the benefit of regular exercise all these years.

Unfortunately now he must take blood thinners, probably for the rest of his life, which of course have their own risks. Dr. Moats advised him to not do any really strenuous exercise for another couple weeks, as they think the risk of the DVT in his leg throwing off another clot to the lungs is greatest in the first month. So he will keep walking, which she said was fine. He asked about mountain biking, and of course she said it was up to him to weigh the risk of bleeding from a fall off the bike. Of course he could fall off the step walking out of the Lazy Daze and would not be wearing a helmet, so everything we do has some risk involved.

She ordered some basic blood work but the hematologist will do more specific testing next month. She also referred him to a cardiovascular specialist who has an interest in coagulation disorders. The first appointment he could get wasn’t until January 30, so we will be hanging close to this area over the winter.

On the way home we stopped at Office Max, Best Buy, and Target. For being Black Friday we were surprised that there was little traffic and very few people in those stores.

Sherry wondered what we ate for Thanksgiving dinner so here goes in case anyone else is interested.  I made Portabella Pomodoro, Brocolli-Walnut Stir-Fry (I left out the oil and used olive oil spray), and baked a loaf of whole wheat bread in my little bread machine.

For desert we had Crustless Pumpkin Pie. I used EnerG Egg Replacer, almond milk, and just 1/4 cup of half sugar and half stevia. I’ve made this recipe many times before and it turned out fine, but for some reason it didn’t really thicken this time so it was more like eating pumpkin pudding, but it tasted great. And there was enough of everything left over for dinner the next day.

Yesterday Jim installed a new fan in the refrigerator. He wired it into the light, and it attaches to the fins and blows back onto them. From what a couple people on the Lazy Daze forum have said it keeps ice from forming on the fins, so we’ll see what our experience is after it’s been in there awhile.

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Pretty exciting stuff, I know.

18 comments:

  1. Glad to hear the visit went well. That's a scary diagnosis, as you know, but it sounds like you are going to have some very good management. Whew! Hope like hell we'll be able to meet-up this winter.

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  2. Don't you just hate it when you become part of the medical establishment. I wish there was an escape door. We are hoping for the very best. It's hard not to have it affect your lifestyle.

    Thanks for the Thanksgiving menu. Maybe we'll get to celebrate together one year. Sounds great. I also like the fan idea. Thanks for showing us that too.

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  3. Thanks for the Jim update and the recipe links! :)

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  4. Totally scary. Very good thing you guys caught this...and Jim is an otherwise super healthy guy. Roosevelt Lake is not far from Phoenix with good boondocking. Plus we love McDowell Mountain County Park and McDowell Mountain State Park. Wishing Jim good healing.

    Nina (wherlingit)

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  5. What a view out the window you two have! Gorgeous.

    Staying in one place for the winter is a small price to pay for Jim's health issues. Hopefully with all the doctor's putting their heads together, they will get Jim back to 100%. I see more hiking in your near future.

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  6. I am reading along harmoniously when I get to the part in the sentence that says "the clinical manifestation is sudden death," followed by the sound of someone pushing the needle across the vinyl record soundtrack playing in my head. rrrrrrriiiiiippp!!!

    That Jim is a Modern Medical Miracle indeed! Good thing he has a manager like you. ;-)

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  7. Sounds like this medical situation could have been worse and was caught in time. Dinner looks yummy and the view looks divine. Could be worse places to be for the winter.

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  8. If you get bored in Phoenix, come on over to Imperial. You could stay here for a five night 'vacation' for free. :)

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  9. Well crap, a lifetime of anticoagulation. I am sorry to hear about that. I am, however, very glad that Jim was not in the unfortunate 25%.

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  10. Sooo glad he wasn't in the 25% What a blessing you have access to quality health care.

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  11. Good to hear Jim is doing all right...and is able to at least get out an walk!

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  12. Good to know Jim has seen his first doctor:) I'm sure it is hard for him to be patient and really take it easy but there will be time later to hit the trails hard. Thinking of the both of you:)

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  13. Glad to hear you are in the top 75 percent of your class! ;->

    Can you stay in McDowell Mountain Regional Park for a month, or is there a two-week limit? We are thinking of heading up that way in a few weeks. Have been hoping for years to visit Arcosanti. Have you been there? Every time we have been anywhere near there, it was so hot that we just kept going. This time of year should be a better choice.

    https://arcosanti.org

    Virtual hugs,

    Judie

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  14. Sounds like the opportunities outweigh the risks - it's always fun to surprise the medical professionals :-) Your dinner sounds unique and yummy!

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  15. I'm with Suzanne, "sudden death, rrriiippp" keep up the diligent exercise and excellent diet; you're an excellent team. And with Joan, "Go Jim, Go!"

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  16. Sorry Jim is going through this, but so glad he was in the 75%. It pays not to ignore things, like I tend to do.

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  17. That's pretty scary stuff, I'm so glad Jim is okay. Gotta love modern medicine!

    I like the fridge fan - Defrosting the fridge and freezer are SUCH a pain. :)

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