Recovery from Pulmonary Embolism - Part 1

So, it is now 10 weeks and 3 days since my Pulmonary Embolism (PE). I'm in recovery mode and doing o.k I think.

I did have to go back to hospital in the early hours of the Tuesday morning, 18th August. I'd started coughing a bit before midnight, and it wouldn't stop, no matter what I tried. I was getting increasingly short of breath and had a feeling of pressure. I tried water which had usually helped, but not this time. I also had pain under my shoulder blade. My pulse was o.k. but my respiration rate was a bit fast at 25, and the same about 20 minutes later. In the end at about 1:00am I woke Boar and said I was going to talk to someone. I rang 111 (Emergency services number here in New Zealand) and before I was off the phone a rapid response vehicle was at the bottom of the drive! They were at the base in Johnsonville only a few minutes away. An ambulance was there soon after and I was taken into ED. Boar followed in the car.

What I didn't know till the next day was that Locket had heard the commotion and was sitting at the top of the stairs listening . . . poor girl. She said she knew I was o.k because she could hear me talking. She came down after Boar left to check the front door was locked and turn off the lights.

I was admitted to the Short Stay Unit around 5am and they kept me in for most of the day. It turns out that when the clot is breaking apart sometimes a piece gets stuck in the smaller vessels, causing irritation hence the coughing, and also a pleural rub - which is when the two layers of the lung rub together. There is a better description here. It was what was causing the pain.

I left the hospital around 5pm when Boar got off work and was able to pick me up. Brains and Locket came as well. They got me a wheelchair as walking was still a bit of an issue. Since there was a pretty cold wind I got Locket to run into the house when we got home and get my scarf  which I wrapped over my nose and mouth, as I'd found cold air didn't help and would start me coughing. Then it was up to the house. The only way to do this was slowly as there is a path up to the house and some steps. So I walked 5 steps and rested. And again . . . and again . . . until I was in the house. Mission accomplished!  :D

I took it pretty quietly for a few days and anyone who came to visit was greeted by me in my PJs and dressing gown. We were brought meals and my Life Group from NBC brought a whole heap of food to us, which made a lot of meals. So thanks a lot to everyone who helped out  :)

My first big day out was on Saturday. By then I was able to walk around the house pretty well, though still not quickly, and had even ventured upstairs! Up three stairs, rest . . . and repeat till I got to the top. Mainly to see if I could.

I got Boar to drive me out to Porirua to a couple of the shops. I managed o.k, but was tired by the time I got home. I saw some coasters I liked and so bought four . . . just because I wanted to.

They make me smile  :)

Friends were great at getting Brains and Lucy to and from dance which was a great help. I took it fairly quietly the following week however I did sew as I needed to get some dresses finished for Mrs C who was going to Fiji on the Saturday. They got done and delivered the day before she left!

The day before that was the first time I'd driven the car since my PE. I took Locket to dance and came straight home. I found I had to concentrate really hard, much more than usual. The short 10 minutes there and the same back was more than enough for a first outing! I did it as a test drive as Brains had an appointment I needed to take him to the next day. So I needed to drive for that.

The following week I took Pa to an appointment and also had my first follow-up appointment after the PE at the VTE clinic (Venous thromboembolism). It was a long and very thorough appointment! I had to have some blood tests done and also arrange to have a mammogram, plus there was another scan the consultant ordered - CT Colonography. Basically a scan of your gut and pelvis.

I was working through that week and weekend on a sewing job for a client and delivered it the following Monday. That night I got a call from Chuckles and Butcher. One of Butcher's best mate's wee son had passed away at only 18 months old. It was devastating news. I agreed to look after Half-pint and Lil Battler so they could go to the funeral. In the end Brains and Locket looked after the two boys as P had said it would be fine for me to go to the funeral. It was a beautiful, but very sad, service. They always are for wee ones  :(

I went for a short walk on the Tuesday - It was a flat easy stroll. 5 minutes one way and 5 - 6 minutes back. My first walk since the PE. I really enjoyed it but even though I took it really slowly I still found I was coughing by the time I got back to the car. It happens when I walk too far, or talk too long!

It was a lovely day and so I snapped a few photos of the calm sea at Oriental Parade.

I saw the small yacht and the ferry were going to pass and so decided to take a coupe of shots as the ferry dwarfs the yacht! It didn't take long for them to pass.

I managed to catch them just as they passed. By the time I clicked again they'd gone past each other.

Another thing that happened was Ma & Pa's 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration. It was held at Johnsonvale Rest Home where ma lives as Ma is not able to go anywhere these days. I had organised it - but in the end I couldn't go. I had a flu bug a couple of weeks before, and then came down with another virus bug that had me coughing a lot. Coughs and sneezes are not welcome at the rest home and so I stayed away. A good afternoon was had by everyone who was able to get there. I think Ma basically slept through most of the event. Her sister was able to come down from Palmerston North for it which was lovely, and there was a good number of family and friends there as well.

I had the mammogram done and thankfully it was all clear. Not having had one before it was an experience!  :-O   I think the poem below sums up the experience well!

Ode To The Mammogram

For several years they've told me,
"Be careful of your breasts.
Don't ever bruise or hurt them,
And give them monthly tests."

So I heeded all their warnings
And protected, both, they are!
I've guarded them most carefully,
And always worn a bra.

After thirty years of tender care,
The doctor found a lump.
He ordered me a mammogram,
To look inside that bump.

"Stand up very close," she said,
As she got my breast in line,
"And tell me if it hurts," she said,
"Ah yes, there… that's fine!"

She stepped upon a pedal…
I could not believe my eyes!
A plastic plate was pushing down,
My boob was in a vice!

My skin was stretched and stretched,
From way up by my chin.
And my poor breast was being squashed
To Swedish pancake thin!

Excruciating pain I felt,
Within this vice-like fit.
A prisoner in this vicious thing…
My poor, defenceless tit!

"Breathe deeply, now," I heard her say.
Who does she think she's kidding?
My chest's been smashed in her machine -
Can't breathe, can't do her bidding!

"There, that was good," I heard her say,
As the room was slowly swaying.
"Now, let's have the other one."
Lord, have mercy, I was praying!

It squeezed me from the up and down,
It squeezed from each side.
I'll bet she's never had this done
Upon her tender little hide!

If I had no problem when I came here,
I'm sure I'll have one now.
For if there'd been a cyst in there,
It would have popped - ker-pow!

This machine was made by men,
Of this I have no doubt.
I'd like to get their nuts in there -
For months they'd go without!

Author Unknown

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