My hospital story
Team,
I was admitted to the hospital this past Tuesday and released yesterday afternoon. I thought I was having a heart attack. Symptoms included chest pain shortness of breath. I couldn’t believe I was having a heart attack. I take care of myself with diet and exercise watch for the semi-annual numbers of my blood test. I know my family history. But by God it sure felt like one. I live 5 min tops from a Hospital told the wife take me in. Within a minute or two of telling her that I said just call 911. I decided to not put her through that trauma off dropping dead in our car. Besides 911 is better able to handle such situations and is in communication with the hospital to give them a heads up. I took 2 baby aspirins chewed them up went outside to be collected by the ambulance.
Long story short is, I didn’t have a heart attack. I do however have clots in both lungs. That hospital put me through more tests than I can even remember the names of. What I do know is they wanted family history of incidences such as mine. I volunteered up that my dad, who is still alive, has clotting of the leg lungs is on O2 and blood thinners for life. They put me through a genetic test to see if I inherited that gene from my dad. Good news I showed negative to that test. So where did my clots come from?
I was assigned a team of doctors who were very scary negative people; sorry to say this but if I had that gift I would be about more hope and positive than they. Statements included “well good thing that was negative cause cancer … bla..bla..bla.. , or you will have to be on this medicine for life cause bla.. bla.. bla. I mean really WTF… over. The One of the two docs I liked was a marathon guy. He at least knew or had an idea what kind of athlete or what kind of a kook I am to do what we do. He just happened to be in the room at the same time my family doctor was, the marathon guy being a cardiologist. I offered up to him an explanation as to my clots. I fell off my bike one week out from my IM in late Oct / early Nov. I fell on my side, chest wall cavity bruised up my leg …some. I told him I completed the race and went to the ER later in the week to see if I broke a rib because I felt this pain I’m having now before in the same spot. Due to the time line involved say Nov- now I didn’t connect the dots but threw that on the table for a look see. Cardio Dr. said my body was good enough in shape to clear some of the clotting at first but long term it got the best of me. Like I said this Dr. was in the room with my family doctor and the cardio Dr.said “I will need to be on blood thinners until my body clears the clots then I can come off of them.
That was a win in my world. If I needed to be on them for life I can live with that as I’m sure we have in Haus folks who do. But here is the kicker for the most part, we are number people. After my IM I kicked around for 6 weeks until my OS then tested into my zones. Well my running zone dropped 5 Vdot points even though I was running my butt off. The bike was lower two … but that is the nature of the bike. So in training, up until last Tuesday, my effort level compared to my real numbers was way off. The corresponding effort level was not matching my numbers. Numbers as to where we know we are in our head. Not just once but every run, not so much on the bike. That was a heads up. Work throughout the day also was some deeper breathing as well. I thought well I’m running very hard so that was my excuse. So I had some signs I wasn’t reading.
So now I’m on the mend doing two shots a day taking blood thinners resting, man is that hard but I’ll do it, thinking ahead for the season that might not be, don’t care I’m here. I thought to share this for what it’s worth to anybody. Chris G and that other young man who died in Philadelphia Marathon may have experienced such an event and pushed through it , I would have cause I/we do push our selves because it’s who we are and it’s fun to do what other fear they can’t.
S/ David
Comments
Glad to hear you are going to be OK. Your post hits close to home with me - I had a similiar exp. three years ago; my heart was beating at a rapid pace, numbness in my arm, lightheadedness, drove myself to the hospital...(stupid move). Found out that I was in "AFIB"..never heard the term before. I had Dr.s telling me I would be on blood thinners and anti arrythmia meds for the rest of my life - I was devastated.
On a recommendation I got a second opinion. This time the cardiologist was younger, also very active. He understood where I was coming from - needless to say, I was taken off all medication and put on an aspirin a day.
We are extremely lucky to be able to do what we do - IM's etc. The fact that it can be all taken away from us at any moment due to something unforeseen, should make us all appreciate how lucky we truly are.
Get the rest you need - and don't worry about this season, worry about your health and your family, that is what matters.
Thanks for sharing David...very scary...and glad to hear the outcome was positive.
David,
So glad you caught it early and it looks like you're moving towards a quick resolution! So did the doc confirm that your crash may have been the cause of this?
The lesson I'm learning, with the injuries/conditions we talk about here and with my local friends, is that tri and athletic clubs should probably have a list of local docs, of many specialties, who are athletes themselves or "get it." I imagine that many docs are used to giving solutions and fixing problems within a standard template that we are not likely to fit, as a function of current health and lifestyle?
@ Rich
The two Drs' I wrote about both being in the same room are in agreement as to confirmation of the bike crash where as 2 others poo poo the idea and suggest meds for life. So 6 of these 1/2 dozen of those ...
Time will tell for sure. In your closing remark re: Clubs having a strong connect as to medical guys with their specialties within our community is spot on. The Specialist out there having an understanding of us and the drive/dedication we bring to the table with wanting to be the best we can be " All the time " we would want them to be more proactive in helping us achieve that goal.
And I tell you some of the Drs were just scary with the negativity. Your a military guy, here is a story for you from memory. A Seal was shot in the face. He was in the Hospital recovering on his door was a letter he wrote to read before you entered. It said to the effect that on entering this room you will see someone recovering at a blinding speed of light to get back into the game and if you cant handle that don't enter, apologies if I butchered the story no harm intended.
@ David - I'm so glad you had the presence of mind to get yourself to the hospital via 911. Having seen folks with your condition, I know part of the syndrome is an "impending sense of doom" which is as scary to witness as it is to experience. And it's real - you were in a life threatening situation. Having been on both sides of that equation - as an MD dealing with life and death, and as someone brought to hospital with severe trauma - I have hopefully learned at this late stage what you describe: understanding and dealing with the patient's specific situation and goals is as important as making the correct diagnosis, and is as important as any test or treatment one can prescribe. I wish you a speedy return to life life of fitness and racing goals.