Pulmonary Embolisms

[Guest guest]

H wrote:

> --- Sharon wrote

> > The main thing to emphasize here is that I was in USC

> > Medical Center and most importantly, under the care of Dr.

> > Anthone! I already had the pressure stockings on my

> > calves and had been getting heparin shots before blood clots

> > were even diagnosed. Once my clots were discovered, I

> > received immediate, aggressive treatment under Dr. Anthone's

> > close supervision. Specialists were called in and Dr.

> > Anthone and his associates visited often.

>

> Sharon....What was the aggressive treatment?? Is it drugs, or surgery?

> Something else?

No surgery. I saw Dr. Anthone every day and he called in two

specialists - Hematologist & Pulmonologist, I think they

were called. I was given medication regularly, remained on

oxygen and in addition, every 4 hours around the clock, was

given a sort of misting treatment for my lungs by a

pulmonary specialist. I was monitored closely and given

cheerful support as I gradually continued with all other

areas of recovery -- such as eating, walking, etc. There

were also regular blood tests to monitor treatment

effectiveness as well as catscans, etc.

> Also, why do you say that you think the problem might have started

> before you had surgery? I am also out of breath easily and frequently,

> but then dragging around an extra 200 pounds would be tough for anyone.

> I am walking and trying to get into better shape. Now I am worried

> about this condition.

When I went in to see Dr. Downey (Plastic Surgeon at USC)

regarding my second surgery last May, I told her I was

afraid that I would get another blood clot. She said that I

had a completely different body at that time and she thought

I probably had the problem before my first surgery. When she

said it, it just seemed to fit for me -- given the breathing

difficulty I'd begun to experience pre-op. Of course, the

discomfort pre-op was mild compared to what happened

post-op. I mean the pain was awful and I'd not experienced

that previously so who knows?

It's good that you are walking as much as you can. I would

encourage you to keep moving in whatever ways you can. It

helps by strengthening your lungs as well as improving your

circulation. I was quite sedentary pre-op because I had such

bad pain from fibromyalgia and arthritis whenever I walked

for any distance. If I had it to do over again, I would have

found ways to push myself more - despite the pain.

Take care,

Sharon - Huntington Beach, CA

DGB w/DS - Dr. Anthone USC June 1, 1999

Hernia Repair w/TT - Dr. A. USC May 24 2000

Pre-Op BMI 51 Post-Op BMI 26 -- 132 lbs. gone!