Now that I admitted that I do not like help, one may wonder how well I do at physical therapy. I am actually a very good patient but in full disclosure I question the purpose of it since I can't put any weight on my leg but I continue to go twice a week. I'm also not a homebody and it's the only place I have gone since surgery. Think about it: I can't push a grocery cart, I can't take Natalie and Adam anywhere (unless I attached them both to leashes to my crutches), I can't walk the dog, I can't mow the yard (which is something I truly love to do), I can't carry anything so what good am I?
At my second physical therapy (earlier this week) I made a HUGE mistake. Eric (my therapist) was working on my range of motion and then asked me what is causing you the most pain? Without thinking, I was totally honest and said my calf was killing. It was, I actually unlocked the bottom clip of my brace the night before because it hurt just laying there. I assumed that the pain was because I was not using my leg, they assumed the pain was because I had a blood clot. You guessed it! I had another appointment at 12:30 for an ultrasound at the Radiology Center and I was told the test should take 10 minutes and I should be out 30 minutes at the tops. This was critical for me because Roby had a meeting that afternoon at 1:30 ( during nap times, the great husband schedules most of his meetings in the afternoon during nap time or when Noelle will be home and works from the home in the morning).
As the technician was finishing the test, I asked, "Can you give me any hint, am I OK?"
She promptly replied, "NO, the Radiologist will read it and call your Doctor. You can't leave this building until your doctor calls and tells you what he wants you to do."
First, I was told the test will take 10 minutes and it took 25 minutes. Now, I'm sent into the waiting room and sit next to the sign that said: OUT OF RESPECT, PLEASE DO NOT USE CELL PHONES. Hello - I'm stuck here, I'm calling my husband on my cell phone RIGHT now and tell him: I might die and I won't be home on-time for you to leave! Fifteen minutes pass and they call me back to the ultrasound room again. She says nothing on the way to the room and when we get there she says we need more images. Now, I really think I'm going to die of a blood clot! Forget a blood clot, my blood pressure must be skyrocketing!!
Following the second ultrasound, I find myself sitting in the waiting room with all sorts of other patients and so this time I sit a little closer to the TV, Rachel Ray is on......guess what.....it's bra day. How in the world can I sit and stare at half naked ladies while Rachel and her guest explain how to fit the correct bra? Did I mention that it is senior citizen day at the radiology center. Seriously, who wants to watch this in a crowded waiting room with a bunch of strangers?
It's now been 2 hours and 40 minutes. My worries have subsided some because if it was that serious, surely my doctor would have already called or an ambulance would have showed up to take me to the hospital. Finally, I get called to the front desk.....over the phone a nurse from my Doctor's office simply states, "You do not have a blood clot but your veins are swollen....blah....blah" Truthfully, I stopped listening, I do not have a blood clot, I will not die today!
Thank You Christi for saving us. At the spur of the moment, Roby was able to drop them off at her house, go to his meeting, and sadly return home with the children before I did!
Until the next update!
Kari
No comments:
Post a Comment