Pulmonary Ebolism

Damn dude, good luck, that is some scary shit. When I saw the first page of this thread I was thinking Jonsey had one too last year that almost did him in.

These are really scary. I was glad I never had to deal with one when I covered the ER.

If you throw a big clot from your femoral artery, it could be the circumference of your finger. The fragment shoots up into and out of the right side of the heart and if it's big enough, it can plug both pulmonary arteries. Nothing in, nothing out to the heart means sudden death.

But the clot can fragment into a shower of particles that lodge diffusely in the pulmonary arterioles.  They trigger a release of vasoactive chemicals from the tissues that can provoke severe bronchospasm.  I've heard that the lungs can be so seized up that you litterally can't aerate the patient's lungs because bagging or using a respirator can't overcome the bronchospam.

I've had a patient get a femoral deep vein thrombosis after a long plane trip, and my sister got one after surgery on her knee.  Common risk factor is when the legs are not moving for an extended time, and you are not pumping your calf muscles...the primary way you push blood up out of your heart and back to the heart.   The blood just sits in the vessels and starts to clot. Wonder if sitting too long in a kayak presents a risk?  Keep pumping those calves.

Very scary.

Take care of yourself and hope you get better soon.
 
Sincerely,

Jim

Hip surgery Pateints also have a tendency to throw clots. 

I hope you are feeling better Rich. Wow, just hearing your experience with the PE
made me realized how important life is and not to ever take it for granted. Take
it easy bro and hope to see you on the water soon.

Jedmo

Heading in for another CT and more blood work.  From what I gather, the shock from the blast damaged internal tissue, releasing clots into the blood stream once I was rested and started moving around again.  They have been getting smaller each CT scan, and my lungs are clearing out well.  Still coughing and hacking like a 40 year smoker, but I feel better.  I might even go hit up Oroville for some coho's this weekend, I hear the bite is on fire right now.

Hey Rich , hit me up if you go to Oroville I'll join you if you want the company ..? Glad to see your on the mend . Looking foward to fishing with you again this year . David

Will do David, nice sheephead! I finally got one of them in San Diego this winter.  Cool fish.  I plan to hit the lake at daylight on Saturday, will probably have my kids, so taking turns on the kayaks.  I need to get Cody a 10-12 footer.  Chat with ya soon!

Hey Rich , I got a Hobie you can borrow for Oroville if you need .

should be alright David, Cody and I can double up in my P-15

Got news last Friday that I have PE as well. I was in for just a regular check up (for my Cancer) and they drew blood samples from me (again) and they gave me a CT scan (again). Doc sent me to ER and they had me on Arxitra and Coumadine right away. They kept me in the Hospital for another 4 days (again) for observation. I was sent home and still taking the Coumadin and the Arixtra (self injection into the belly).

I'm glad you guys are speaking out your experiences...after all we are not getting any younger and that "knowing before hand" is simply a must.

Stay healthy and LIVE life


YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR WEALTH!!!

Hang in there bro. If you feel like a homecooked meal at my place, let me know.
  Randall

MOOCH: "knowing before hand" is simply a must.


Thats it dude, that is what this paddle is all about... Get people talkin!

scary rich!  good thing you got yourself to the hospital quick.  you gonna be at albion?

Rich
Your run of luck this last year hasn't been the greatest. You're definitely due for some equal but opposite luck. Maybe you should be buy lottery tickets  . Lookin forward to fishing with you.

Best wishes
Kirk